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Transit to Trails Act
3/13/2024, 1:38 AM
Summary of Bill S 1440
The Transit to Trails Act proposes to establish a grant program that would provide funding to local governments and organizations to create and improve transportation options to these outdoor recreational areas. This could include expanding public transportation routes, creating shuttle services, or providing vouchers for rideshare services.
The bill also aims to promote environmental sustainability by encouraging the use of eco-friendly transportation options, such as electric buses or bikes. Additionally, it seeks to increase awareness and education about the benefits of spending time in nature and the importance of preserving these natural spaces. Overall, the Transit to Trails Act is focused on making it easier for all individuals, regardless of their socio-economic status or location, to access and enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors. It is a bipartisan effort to promote physical and mental well-being, environmental conservation, and equal access to recreational opportunities for all Americans.
Congressional Summary of S 1440
Transit to Trails Act
This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish the Transit to Trails Grant Program to award grants to certain entities (e.g., states, local governments, and metropolitan planning organizations) for projects that increase transportation access and mobility to public lands, waters, parkland, monuments, or recreational opportunities for critically underserved communities.
A critically underserved community is (1) a community that can demonstrate it has inadequate, insufficient, or no park space or recreation facilities; (2) a community in which at least 50% of the population is not located within 1/2 mile of park space; or (3) an environmental justice community (i.e., a community with significant representation of communities of color, low-income communities, or at-risk tribal and Indigenous communities that experiences, or is at risk of experiencing, a disproportionate burden of adverse human health or environmental effects).
Among other things, DOT must (1) prioritize the approval of certain projects, such as projects that use low-or no-emission vehicles and those that provide free or discounted rates for low-income riders; (2) develop transportation planning procedures for projects conducted under the program that are consistent with metropolitan and statewide planning processes; and (3) ensure that all new transportation connectors and routes developed under the program are accessible to people with disabilities.
The bill requires grant awards to be at least $25,000 and not more than $500,000.
Further, the bill requires publication of all schedules and routes for transportation systems that are developed with funds from a grant under the program.
