Sponsors (27)
The bill expands mobility, equity, and local environmental benefits by funding fare-free transit pilots/expansions, but risks creating long-term fiscal pressures for local governments and may leave rural areas behind unless funding and geographic equity are explicitly addressed.
Low-income people, non-drivers, and community residents served by expanded routes gain free or more reliable transit, increasing access to jobs, education, healthcare, and daily needs.
State and local governments receive federal funding to start or expand fare-free transit programs, lowering out-of-pocket costs for riders and enabling pilot or scale-up opportunities.
Communities with expanded transit may see reduced traffic congestion and lower local air pollution, improving local livability and public health.
State and local governments and taxpayers face fiscal risk because fare-free service cuts fare revenue and may create ongoing operating costs if federal support is temporary, potentially forcing tax increases, budget reallocation, or service reductions.
Rural and low-density communities may receive little benefit if investments concentrate on higher-ridership urban systems, worsening geographic equity in transit access.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Establishes competitive five-year grants to cover lost fares and fund improvements to implement fare-free public transit and expand reliable service.
Official title: To direct the Secretary of Transportation to carry out a grant program to support efforts to provide fare-free transit service, and for other purposes.
Introduced July 23, 2025 by Ayanna Pressley · Last progress July 23, 2025
Creates a competitive federal grant program called "Freedom to Move Grants" to help state, county, and local governments implement fare-free public transit and to expand and improve mass transit service. Grants can cover lost fare revenue and a range of capital and operating improvements, prioritize underserved communities and both rural and urban areas, require equity analyses and community outreach, and provide five-year awards with initial grants to be awarded within 360 days of enactment. Applicants must submit detailed plans showing how they will implement fare-free service, expand and redesign bus networks (with attention to low-income and historically underserved neighborhoods), report specified equity and performance metrics, and describe current fare-enforcement policies. The Department of Transportation will run a competitive application process and set timing and form requirements for awards.