The study draws from three sources. A U.S. Department of Transportation infrastructure status report, issued in 2015, identifies an $89.8-billion backlog of spending needed just on state of good repair transit projects. APTA also includes $51.2-billion worth of projects in the pipeline, awaiting funding under the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grant program.
Then, the DC-based trade association surveyed its members, asking them to identify other unfunded priority projects. Not all transit agencies responded, but the 55 that did named 169 additional projects total $91 billion, bringing the total to $232 billion.
The largest amount from any agency responding to the survey came from LA Metro, which cites a total $31.4 billion, primarily for future projects such as the Sepulveda Corridor and the work to build run-through tracks at Los Angeles Union Station. Of their total, $21.8 billion is for rail, with the balance for bus rapid transit or unidentified vehicle purchases.
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority calls for $6.4 billion, primarily for the Second Avenue subway. Others include the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, $6.4 billion; Dallas Area Rapid Transit, $2.9 billion; Chicago’s Metra, $5 billion; and the Chicago Transit Authority, $4.4 billion.
Related to the stalled Gateway Project, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey listed $13.6 billion for Hudson River tunnels and the Gateway Program Development Corp. showed $1.6 billion for the Portal North Bridge project.
Some of these agencies have access to existing funding sources, such as Measure M tax receipts in Los Angeles, or are exploring new funding options such as congestion pricing in New York City.
Beyond funding these projects, the APTA report states that “public transit agencies need fiscal support to better integrate fare technologies with emerging modes,” such as ride-sharing, bikeshare and other new options.
APTA released the report at its just-concluded 2019 legislative conference in Washington, where hearings on an infrastructure package have already begun. Virginia Miller, a spokeswoman with APTA, says the organization and conference attendees met with congressional staff while there to discuss the report.
