Lawmakers Introduced Rural Transportation Act

The proposed legislation would provide federal grants for microtransit services in smaller U.S. communities.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Electric Vehicles

Lawmakers Introduced Rural Transportation Act

Live Poll

Should the federal government provide grants to support transportation programs in small, rural communities?

Representatives Josh Riley and James Gallagher have introduced the Improving Rural Transportation Act to expand mobility options. The bill proposes a federal grant program designed to support ride-share and microtransit services in communities with fewer than 200,000 residents.

Why it matters

Small communities often face significant geographic barriers, with residents frequently traveling 20 to 30 miles to access essential services. Flexible transportation models are intended to bridge this gap for populations currently underserved by traditional public transit.

Eligible project sites are capped at a population size of 200,000 residents. Participating partners must provide a minimum 20% cost-share to secure the federal grants.

The players

Josh Riley

He is a U.S. Representative from New York who co-sponsored this transportation legislation.

James Gallagher

He is a U.S. Representative from California who co-sponsored the rural mobility proposal.

Center for Transportation and the Environment

This organization endorsed the proposed legislation to improve rural transit access.

U.S. Department of Transportation

This federal agency would be responsible for administering the proposed grant program.

The details

The bill directs the U.S. Department of Transportation to establish a grant framework that prioritizes collaborations between local governments, private businesses, and nonprofits. The proposed funding would facilitate ride-share and flexible-route services customized for specific rural needs.

Representatives Josh Riley and James Gallagher introduced the bill on September 24, 2026.

Roadmap

The Improving Rural Transportation Act marks a shift toward flexible, localized transit funding compared to traditional federal infrastructure models. This proposal positions microtransit and ride-sharing as essential components of the modern transportation ecosystem for smaller communities.

If enacted, this legislation could lower travel costs and improve access to essential services for residents in qualifying small communities. Local governments would gain a new potential funding source to implement ride-share and transit services tailored to their specific regional needs.

The takeaway

Small communities seeking to improve local mobility may benefit from these grants if the bill is passed and funded by Congress. Stakeholders should monitor future legislative debates to see how these cost-sharing rules adapt to local budgetary constraints.