House Passes Langevin Amendment to Increase Accessibility in Public Transit

Press Release

The House today passed an amendment authored by Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) to the FY2015 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. Langevin's amendment would increase funding for the Federal Transit Administration's Technical Assistance and Training program by $2 million, restoring it to last year's funding levels. Technical Assistance and Training funds are used to improve transit accessibility for individuals with disabilities and older users.

"As our population ages, it is imperative that we provide community-based supports that allow older Americans, as well as people with disabilities, to live independently and with dignity," said Langevin, who co-chairs the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus. "Public transportation is an essential component of those community services, without which many of these individuals would be unable to get to work or access other important services, like health care. These populations rely heavily on public transit, and our investment in accessibility assistance empowers them to live, work and thrive in our communities."

The FY15 transportation appropriations bill passed by the House Appropriations Committee included a $2 million cut in funding to the Federal Transit Administration's Technical Assistance and Training program, which also provides funding to the Easter Seals Project ACTION (ESPA). ESPA aims to assist the disability community and the transportation industry to ensure accessible community transportation. Langevin's amendment, which was passed by voice vote and will now be included in the final House bill, would restore the $2 million, bringing program funding back to FY14 levels and making public transit more accessible and reliable.

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