Heather Dalmolin, SWTA Executive Director, shares an update on federal transportation funding, upcoming reauthorization discussions, and SWTA's continued advocacy for public transit agencies across the region.

As we navigate a rapidly evolving federal landscape, I want to share an update on the issues shaping the future of public transportation and the work SWTA is doing to ensure our members have a voice in the decisions ahead.

Federal transportation funding remains essential to the communities we serve. Across SWTA Nation, transit agencies depend on these investments to maintain services, modernize fleets, improve infrastructure, enhance safety, and meet growing mobility needs.

Sustained, predictable federal funding is critical to the future of public transportation, and SWTA remains committed to advocating for policies that support the agencies and communities throughout our region.

Looking Ahead: Surface Transportation Reauthorization

The upcoming federal surface transportation reauthorization process presents both opportunities and challenges for our industry.

While public transportation plays a vital role in economic development, workforce mobility, and quality of life, competing priorities and federal budget pressures create uncertainty for transit agencies planning for the future.

SWTA is actively engaged with national partners, industry stakeholders, and policymakers to ensure that the experiences, challenges, and priorities of our members are represented throughout these discussions.

Our goal is to help ensure that future transportation policies recognize the importance of transit systems of every size and the essential services they provide.

SWTA's Advocacy Priorities

Our advocacy efforts continue to focus on several key areas:

• Federal Funding: Preserving and strengthening federal transit funding programs that support essential transportation services.
• Equitable Access: Ensuring agencies of all sizes have fair access to federal funding opportunities.
• Workforce Development: Supporting initiatives that help transit agencies recruit, train, and retain the workforce needed to deliver reliable service.
• Safety and Innovation: Advancing policies that strengthen safety, reliability, operational efficiency, and innovation.
• Regional Mobility Needs: Highlighting the unique transportation challenges facing rural, suburban, and growing communities throughout SWTA Nation.

These priorities reflect the needs of our members and the important role public transportation plays in connecting people to jobs, healthcare, education, and essential services.

Advocacy in Action

In recent months, SWTA leadership and Board members have participated in meetings with federal representatives, collaborated with industry associations, and communicated directly with policymakers about the impacts of funding uncertainty on local transit providers.

These conversations are important because federal transportation decisions have real consequences for the communities our members serve.

Transit agencies need dependable funding to plan for the future, maintain services, invest in infrastructure, and respond to changing community needs.

Through continued engagement, SWTA is working to ensure policymakers understand those challenges and recognize the value of investing in public transportation.

Your Voice Matters

One of the most effective tools we have in advocacy is the experience of our members.

Every transit agency has a story to tell about the difference public transportation makes in its community.

Whether it's connecting employees to work, helping seniors maintain independence, providing access to healthcare, or supporting students and individuals with disabilities, these stories demonstrate the real-world impact of transportation investments.

I encourage our members to continue sharing their stories, data, challenges, and successes with SWTA.

Your experiences strengthen our advocacy efforts and help demonstrate why sustained federal investment matters to the communities we collectively serve.

Moving Forward Together

As reauthorization discussions continue, SWTA will closely monitor federal developments and share important updates, engagement opportunities, and potential actions with our membership.

Our commitment remains focused on ensuring that transit agencies throughout our region have the resources, representation, and support needed to serve their communities effectively.

Thank you for your continued leadership, commitment, and partnership. Your involvement makes SWTA's advocacy efforts stronger.

Together, we will continue advocating for a strong, sustainable future for public transportation.

Sincerely,

Heather Dalmolin

Executive Director

South West Transit Association (SWTA)