Currently, the federal transit program primarily provides funding for capital expenses (ex. purchasing buses and trains, building new stops, etc.), but not for operating expenses (ex. fuel, wages, etc.). That means states and local governments can receive federal funding to build public transit infrastructure, but not funding to run the actual public transit service. Operating expenses create a significant hurdle for local governments, accounting for two-thirds of the total cost of public transportation.

The Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act would create an ongoing federal funding source to support transit operations, which would allow communities to provide more reliable and accessible public transit options.