Sponsors (23)
The bill increases funding flexibility and capacity for transit workforce training across programs, but does so by reallocating more grant dollars away from capital projects and by loosening ties to zero-emission vehicle training, which could slow decarbonization efforts.
Local transit agencies and their staff can use up to 10% of certain federal grant funds for workforce training tied to buses and bus facilities, increasing training capacity and on-the-job skills.
More grant streams and eligibility rules are expanded so agencies have greater flexibility to fund workforce development from multiple programs, making it easier to coordinate and sustain training investments.
Recipients may allocate §5339 funds (in addition to §§5307 and 5337) toward workforce development, enabling more coordinated training programs across funding streams and supporting workforce education efforts.
Local governments and transit agencies will have less federal funding available for capital purchases (like new buses or facility projects) because the share allowed for training increases from 5% to 10%.
Removing the requirement that training relate to zero-emission vehicle transitions and permitting training for general buses/facilities risks weakening EV-specific workforce readiness and may favor maintaining conventional fleets, slowing decarbonization and raising longer-term environmental costs.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Increases bus‑program workforce training set‑aside to 10% and broadens training funds to cover buses, equipment, and bus facility construction.
Expands the allowable uses of certain federal transit grant funds to support workforce development tied to buses and bus facilities. It raises the dedicated workforce training set‑aside in one bus grant program from 5% to 10% and lets those training funds be used for buses, related equipment, and construction of bus facilities. The change also permits recipients to use up to 10% of funds from a broader set of bus grant accounts for workforce training activities (in addition to existing access under other transit grant programs). The bill focuses funding flexibility for hiring, training, and facility workforce needs tied to bus operations rather than limiting the set‑aside to zero‑emission vehicle transitions.
Official title: To amend sections 5314 and 5339 of title 49, United States Code, to allow for the use of a portion of grants available for buses and bus-related equipment and facilities to be used for workforce development and training, and for other purposes.
Introduced April 16, 2026 by Frederica Wilson · Last progress April 16, 2026