Representative DeSaulnier Introduced Transit Reform Bill

The Better Transit for Riders Act seeks to improve national public transportation reliability and coordination.

Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Transportation

Isometric editorial illustration of a steel train track and concrete tunnel segment, representing national transit infrastructure and policy reform. — Congressman Mark DeSaulnier introduced the Better Transit for Riders Act, a bill intended to revitalize public transportation and increase national ridership through a federal task force. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Congressman Mark DeSaulnier introduced the Better Transit for Riders Act to address declining public transportation usage. The bill establishes a federal task force tasked with developing new strategies to boost ridership and funding.

Why it matters

The legislation addresses the reality that nationwide transit ridership remains below pre-pandemic levels. By prioritizing coordination and service reliability, the act seeks to stabilize a sector facing significant financial challenges.

The Better Transit for Riders Act mandates the creation of a task force to analyze system reliability and fare integration. This body will evaluate long-term funding strategies while examining data on travel times and missed connections.

The players

Mark DeSaulnier

Mark DeSaulnier is a member of the United States House of Representatives who serves on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

The details

The proposed task force will include representatives from local governments, transit agencies, labor groups, and community stakeholders to tackle systemic inefficiencies. This collaborative approach focuses on creating actionable recommendations to improve service reliability and attract riders back to metropolitan networks.

Congressman Mark DeSaulnier introduced the Better Transit for Riders Act on October 3, 2026.

Market Landscape

This legislation marks a shift toward centralized coordination in a fragmented national transit industry that currently struggles to compete with individual vehicle travel. The move positions federal regulators to intervene in the financial stabilization of agencies, such as BART, that are currently facing severe economic pressure.

If the legislation passes, passengers may eventually experience improved service reliability and more seamless fare integration across different transit systems. These changes are intended to make public transportation a more viable and consistent alternative to commuting by car.

The takeaway

Public transit agencies must successfully implement these new coordination strategies to regain the ridership lost since the pandemic. Riders should monitor future task force reports for potential changes to local service reliability and fare structures.