Federal transit bill carves out 1.5% for mid-sized city systems

What does this do?

This bill sets aside 1.5 percent of a federal transit funding pool specifically for mid-sized cities, defined as urbanized areas with populations between 200,000 and 999,999 people. To qualify, a city's transit system must perform at or above big-city levels in at least one of six measured categories, such as passenger miles, service frequency per resident, or riders per capita. Qualifying cities receive a share based on how many of those categories their system outperforms large-city averages.

Who does it affect?

This bill primarily affects residents and transit agencies in mid-sized American cities that already run relatively strong public transit systems. The federal Department of Transportation would use data from the National Transit Database to determine which cities qualify and how much each receives.

Why does it matter?

Riders in qualifying mid-sized cities could see more federal dollars directed to their local bus or rail systems. The 1.5 percent set-aside is drawn from a broader funding pool before other distributions are made, so the largest cities are not directly reduced.

What does it cost, and who pays?

• 1.5% of existing federal transit funds
• Directed to mid-sized cities
• Total pool amount unspecified