Faster Buses Better Futures Act

This bill invests in faster, more reliable buses to fight the climate crisis. It creates big grants to redesign local bus networks so ridership can double within six years. The grants can pay for new buses and garages, plus the extra cost of running more service. For the first three years, the federal government covers 100% of those extra operating costs; for the next three years, it covers 33%, and most project costs are funded at 80%. It also adds funding to replace buses and bus facilities, with priority for agencies that grew ridership after a redesign, and sets aside $20 billion over 2026–2030 for that program. Agencies must plan a bus network redesign by 2045 and repeat one every 20 years, track service and access to jobs, and survey riders and residents—especially in underserved and high‑poverty areas. Redesigns cannot rely on microtransit, automated buses, or free fares to hit the ridership goal.

The bill also makes riding easier and faster. It reimburses transit agencies for installing bus stop shelters with seating and real‑time arrival signs that meet weather standards, with $1 billion a year from 2026 to 2030. It funds upgrades to older bus and rail stations so people with disabilities can use them, covering 90% of costs and providing $1 billion a year from 2026 to 2030. Transit agencies can request bus lanes, signal priority, safer sidewalks, and better stops on busy corridors; road owners must work with them, and there are penalties if they do not. Before adding new car lanes, metro areas and states must first finish requested transit‑priority projects and take public comment. States can buy shelters, arrival‑time signs, and bike parking in bulk under one contract, with Buy America rules, to speed up installations. The bill also sets aside $200 million a year from 2026 to 2030 for federal staff to help design projects, resolve disputes, and share best practices.

• Who is affected: Transit riders; people with disabilities; communities in poverty and underserved areas; local transit agencies; owners of roads and highways; state and regional planning groups.
• What changes: More frequent service and longer hours; bus lanes and signal priority; shelters with seating and real‑time signs; station accessibility upgrades; required data and rider surveys; finish transit‑priority projects before adding car lanes.
• When: The redesign‑grant program must be set up within 2 years of enactment; major funding runs from fiscal years 2026–2030; a redesign plan is due by 2045, with updates at least every 20 years; public comment is required before adding car lanes.