July 16, 2025
Mr. Frost (for himself and Mr. Turner of Ohio) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
To require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a review of the efficient use of funds in procuring new buses for transit service, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Transit Bus Affordability Act
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Sec. 2. Report on options for procuring buses for transit service
(a) In general
The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a review of the factors responsible for the high and rising costs of transit bus manufacturing and procurement in the United States in order to recommend ways to mitigate those costs and promote the efficient use of Federal, State, and local funds in procuring new buses for transit service.
(b) Requirements
In conducting the review under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall analyze the following:
(1)
The primary cost drivers in the design and procurement process for transit buses in the United States.
(2)
A comparison of—
(A)
the costs to design, manufacture, and procure transit buses in the United States with the costs to design, manufacture, and procure such buses in other countries; and
(B)
in the most recent 10-year period for which data is available, the increase in price of transit buses with increases in the prices of medium-duty vehicles, school buses, and other commercial vehicles.
(3)
The effects of bus manufacturing and supplier challenges on bus procurements funded by the Federal Transit Administration, such as buses procured pursuant to the low or no emission grant program and the buses and bus facilities competitive grant program under section 5339 of title 49, United States Code.
(4)
The steps taken by the Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration, States, transit agencies, manufacturers, and industry stakeholders to reduce bus costs and accelerate delivery timeframes, including a description of—
(A)
what is known about how likely such steps are to affect the costs and manufacturing timeframes for new transit bus orders;
(B)
the effect of the use of State contracts and joint procurement on vehicle costs; and
(C)
any additional authorities identified by stakeholders that the Administrator or transit agencies may need to help minimize bus costs and delivery delays.
(c) Report
Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the review conducted under this section.