The Federal Transit Program Turns 60
The idea for the federal transit program was born with a message to Congress by President John F. Kennedy in 1962 and launched in 1964 when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Urban Mass Transportation Act.
Over its nearly six decades, the federal transit program has helped transform transit in America from scattered bus systems and a small number of high-capacity systems to a diverse set of transit providers in thousands of communities. Today, FTA administers a $20 billion annual program with the historic funding provided by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
As we highlight the 60th anniversary of the federal transit program, FTA is promoting milestone programs and initiatives that have fulfilled the FTA’s mission to improve America’s communities through public transportation.
Videos
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In this video, we provide an overview of the federal transit program, from supporting small independent bus systems and a few subway lines in the 1960s to today’s network of transit providers serving thousands of communities nationwide. |
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Bus rapid transit is the fastest-growing mode of public transportation. Learn about how this transit newcomer became such a popular way to travel and FTA’s role in setting it up for success. |
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There is a direct relationship between civil rights, equity and public transportation. Learn about FTA’s work to promote civil rights throughout its 60-year history. |
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At FTA, safety guides everything we do. The 60th anniversary of the federal transit program provides an opportunity to reinforce the importance of FTA’s role in making the safest mode of surface transportation even safer. Watch video |
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In this video, FTA recognizes the value of research to help advance innovation in the transit industry. FTA research has harnessed technology to improve safety for riders and workers, advance bus rapid transit, help integrate travel options and leverage cutting-edge solutions to help transit agencies better maintain the assets that keep people moving. |
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Several legislative accomplishments contributed to the success of the federal transit program. Learn about milestones in transit history. |
Did You Know?
Social Media Posts
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Happy Birthday to us! On July 9, 1964, the federal transit program was born as the Urban Mass Transit Administration following legislation championed by President Kennedy and signed by President Johnson. It was the nation’s first federal program to support “mass transportation.” See post 07/09/2023 |
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Did you know? More than 70,000 transit buses run on fixed routes every day in the United States, and about 75% of them are funded, in part, by FTA. These buses are on the streets in over 500 urban areas across the country, including thousands of cities and towns. See post |
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Did you know the nation’s transit systems have 4,530 miles of track in subway, light rail, streetcar and related systems? Of these, 4,074 miles have been built or replaced since 1960 under the federal transit program – enough to lay track from New York to Milan! See post |
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Did you know? @mta in New York City is by far the largest transit provider in the nation. Every year, more than 2.3 billion commuters, residents and visitors travel on NYC subways and buses. To support a network that helps power the Big Apple’s economic engine, FTA provides $2.8 billion a year and supports capital projects to improve and expand the network. See post 10/26/2023 |
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Did you know? Colorado provides more rural transit than any other state. Colorado, which provides over 13 million rural transit trips annually, is also home to the nation’s first and longest rural bus rapid transit system, run by Roaring Fork Transportation Authority. The VelociRFTA BRT opened in 2013 and runs 40 miles throughout Colorado’s Western Slope region. FTA supports the state’s 42 rural transit systems with about $22 million every year. See post 11/20/2023 |
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Did you know? The first exclusive bus lane on an urban highway, the Shirley Highway Busway, opened in September 1969 to carry commuters between northern Virginia and downtown Washington DC. See post 04/05/2024 |
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Did you know? In July 1971, FTA awarded the first-ever federal grant to support transit on an American Indian reservation. The initial award of $120K went to the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation (the Three Affiliated Tribes) of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota. See Post 04/26/2024 |
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Did you know? In the early 1970s, FTA funded innovative experiments in on-demand transportation. The programs were called “Dial-a-Ride.” A demonstration project in Haddonfield, NJ allowed riders to call a control center to request a pickup, with a minibus ready to arrive at their location within 20 minutes. See Post 05/07/2024 |
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As we enjoy the final days of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, we are taking a look back at how FTA and the transit industry supported the U.S.-hosted games 28 years ago. For the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta, FTA, MARTA and the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games teamed up to ensure athletes, family members and spectators could access the event sites. See Post 08/07/2024 |
