KINGSTON — U.S. Rep. Josh Riley has introduced a bill that, if enacted, would create a federal grant program to fund rural transportation infrastructure and “help communities deploy ride-share and micro-transit programs with a focus on public-private partnerships,” the congressman’s office said.
Riley, D-Ithaca, who represents the 19th Congressional District, launched the bill known as the Improving Rural Transportation Act.
In order for the bill to become law, it would currently need approval by the GOP-controlled House and Senate and the signature of President Donald Trump, also a Republican. The bill is co-sponsored by Republican James Gallagher of California.
“In Upstate New York, getting to the doctor, the grocery store, or the post office can mean driving 20 or 30 miles. If you don’t have a car or can’t drive, that becomes a real problem real fast,” Riley said in a statement. “Small towns should have the tools to come up with solutions that work for them. This bill gives rural communities more options, brings local leaders and businesses to the table, and helps make sure folks can get where they need to go.”
According to Riley’s office, the Improving Rural Transportation Act would create a Department of Transportation grant program for communities with populations under 200,000; help fund rideshare, microtransit, flexible-route, and other transportation programs; give priority to projects that bring together local governments, private-sector partners, and nonprofit organizations; and require state or local partners to cover at least 20% of project costs.
Riley’s office said the bill has been endorsed by the Center for Transportation and the Environment.