Chris Klumb, MS, CLTD’s Post

An opportunity to reshape transportation policies will arise in 2025, influenced by the new administration, congressional retirements, and expiring laws. Congress must reauthorize the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act by September 30, 2025, which funds infrastructure projects for five years. The previous act allocated over $500 billion, but challenges loom, particularly with the Highway Trust Fund, expected to be depleted by 2028. Solutions like increasing gas taxes or implementing vehicle miles traveled fees encounter significant political resistance. Congress has reauthorized the Federal Aviation Administration through fiscal year 2028, setting the stage for other aviation policies. A change in administration could affect pending consumer protection regulations and the outcome of legal challenges against airline mergers, which focus on industry competition. A Trump presidency may roll back some protections, while a Harris presidency might reinforce them. The Environmental Protection Agency has introduced emissions rules targeting a transition to zero-emission vehicles by 2027, with future presidential leadership impacting their implementation. The composition of key congressional committees responsible for transportation policy may change, regardless of election outcomes, impacting legislative focus. Both parties acknowledge the need for increased transportation infrastructure investment but differ in priorities, complicating bipartisan efforts. The 2024 elections will significantly influence the transportation agenda and policy landscape as the new administration sets its direction. #MotiveAsia #All Countries https://lnkd.in/gMfSUkPw

"If legislators don’t reach a funding solution in the spring 2025 session, the region's public transit operating agencies will need to immediately start the budget process for 2026 including a 20% cut to their operating budget, which would result in cuts to up to 40% of service. Cuts of this magnitude require a full Title VI process and analysis. All the efforts of the planners within the Service Boards—who are right now planning the expansion of Pace Pulse, the implementation of CTA’s Better Streets for Buses plan, and the transition to regional rail at Metra, and other popular initiatives—would have to stop so they could transition to planning for service cuts and fare increases." https://lnkd.in/gntntdCs

I've read a lot this week about house building and infrastructure after the election. Almost everything we build, eat, drink, wear and consume in this country depends on the services provided by our sector. In fact 89% of all freight is moved by road. Our industry is facing some real challenges on many fronts which include huge cost increases which threaten future growth. As I’ve said throughout this General Election, to address the challenges we’re facing, collaboration remains key. This election is a crucial moment in UK politics. It’s also a crucial moment for our members and firms across the road transport sector. As an economic enabler, we want to work with policy-makers who understand the vital part we play in creating jobs and keeping the supply-chain moving. During this campaign, we’ve been a consistent and prominent voice for HGV, LVG and Coach companies leading up to polling day, ensuring the issues affecting our sector are front and centre. We've engaged with the political parties – including hosting fifteen visits with parliamentary candidates in key seats across the country - to state our key asks as outlined in our manifesto. We’ve also written to the three main party leaders to ask them to confirm their support for our sector. We're focused on keeping the needs of haulage, van and coach businesses at the top of the agenda. For haulage, coach, and van companies, there are areas where we need swift action from the next Government. Top of the agenda in terms of members’ concerns is cost pressures. The next Government needs to minimise the financial burden on operators from taxation- given that the cost of distribution impacts the prices on our shelves and the cost of living. Infrastructure and planning reforms to enable road projects to be built quickly are vital. We want improved facilities for drivers and we want to work with Government to address skills shortages... READ my full article 👇👇 https://lnkd.in/eQyKd_8e

APTA held its Winter Legislative Meeting at Union Station in Washington, DC, Dec. 5, with more than 175 APTA members in attendance. Beth Holbrook, chair of APTA’s Legislative Committee and member, board of trustees, Utah Transit Authority, called the meeting to order. APTA Chair Mj Maynard, CEO, Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada, told attendees that while “we don’t yet know the Trump-Vance Administration’s specific objectives for public transportation, we do know that we must effectively communicate the crucial role our industry plays in strengthening the economy; creating jobs; supporting the U.S. manufacturing base and small businesses; keeping rural, suburban, and urban communities safe and vibrant; and making the movement of people and goods more efficient and economical.” APTA President and CEO Paul Skoutelas noted that over the past three years, nearly 11,500 public transit and passenger rail projects have been planned, begun, or completed in large and small communities—all across the U.S. He said, “Our industry can take pride in how we are making life better for millions of Americans by investing in more accessible and modern transit. But now we must complete the job we started and make the full promise of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act a reality. This will mean working closely with the incoming Trump-Vance Administration, DOT Secretary-elect Sean Duffy and his team, and a new Republican-led Congress.” Skoutelas added that the industry “must continue to explain the economic and business benefits of investing in public transportation as we push for full funding in FY25 and FY26 appropriations.” Read the full #PassengerTransport story here > https://lnkd.in/emzUS4Zr #PublicTransitImpact

Did you know 71 percent of transit agencies are expected to reach significant budget deficits in the next five years? Our new blog explores this “fiscal cliff” and outlines ways leaders can leverage Strategic Portfolio Management to secure sustainable funding. This financial cliff is showing up in other industries too. #thinkingthursday North Highland

Infrastructure needs are always present, but they are not inexpensive. Several local governments have measures on this November's ballot to improve infrastructure. Time will tell how voters will decide. Infrastructure proponents note the importance of improving the transportation grid, but they may need to fend off conservatives who cite wastes and too little return on investment. It's important to monitor spending over time and to make good decisions about vendors, etc. Public relations efforts are also necessary to demonstrate money spent well or explanations for rising costs. Infrastructure opponents who argue about the poor return on investment may undervalue what improved infrastructure can do. They also may have vested interests in not improving infrastructure. One example of that vested interest is politicians who play off prejudices to say that cities are bad/evil and infested with unwanted individuals. The counties surrounding Atlanta have failed to support a better metro Atlanta transit system with some constituencies preferring to not mix with certain elements. Good governance is sometimes a function of informed and enlightened voters. #infrastructure #infrastructureimprovement #revenuesforinfrastructure #governance #goodgovernance https://lnkd.in/eMxGsMtn

Two years after the Federal Transit Administration issued a scathing report on the leadership and safety of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, the Boston region’s transit agency highlighted service and ridership improvements in an October strategic plan update.   The MBTA this month completed track work on its Orange Line, ending nearly 15 years of speed restrictions on the route and is close to finishing work that will end all speed restrictions on the Red Line. Average weekday ridership across all modes on the system grew 5.6% from June 2023 to June 2024.   But the agency faces a nearly $700 million budget gap in its fiscal year 2026 operating budget as remaining federal pandemic relief funds dry up and revenue from a dedicated one-cent portion of the state’s sales tax hasn’t met expectations. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Federal Transit Administration MBTA is facing the same issues as other transit systems Cost to move to greener fuel Ridership that has not fully recovered from COVID19 including the return to office objectives by many organizations. Lack of optimization of routes Revisiting the taxing model that  includes high density housing near transit. Consolidation of transit systems across urban areas Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) TransLink Vivek Ramaswamy        https://lnkd.in/gYYvHfCG       Global Transit Analysis and Commentary – October 2024 – Technology - https://lnkd.in/gbsuUDAw   Global Transit Analysis and Commentary – October 2024 - https://lnkd.in/gNKbRuJw  

Discretionary grants allowing local governments to access federal transportation funds involve complex applications, so Congress may simplify these programs in future legislation to better support smaller jurisdictions. #Transportation #ProcessImprovement https://loom.ly/r2xj2KE

"Transit fared more poorly in other areas. Some of the biggest losses were in Gwinnett County and Cobb County, Ga., in suburban Atlanta. Proposals to raise taxes to improve bus and microtransit service, and to build new high-capacity bus routes, failed in both counties. Leaders in those counties have tried repeatedly to expand transit for decades, but voters have consistently rejected the measures. They’re bound to try again." With situations like this, I wonder what type of out reach is being done by the transit-oriented leaders with their community? When I worked in the Rail Division we marketed at every station/town and possible future stops with in person events or meetings annually. Since then, new train frequencies were added and ridership is at all time high. We didn't require a vote, but clearly these two major counties need to fix the messaging to the public and think outside the box. https://lnkd.in/eCGTahmZ