March 5, 2026
Mr. Perry (for himself, Mr. Moore of Alabama, Mr. Roy, Mr. Higgins of Louisiana, Mr. Gill of Texas, Mr. Harris of North Carolina, and Mr. Steil) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
To amend title 49, United States Code, to prohibit universal free fare policies on public transportation, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the No Free Rides Act of 2026
.
Sec. 2. Prohibition on universal fare free policies
Section 5323 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
(w) Prohibition on universal fare free policies
(1) In general
A recipient of assistance under this chapter may not provide a universal fare free policy that allows all users of a public transportation service provided by or on behalf of such recipient from using such service without paying a fare.
(2) Exception
Nothing in this subsection shall prevent an recipient described in paragraph (1) from providing a targeted fare policy that allows a certain group of riders to ride for free or reduced charge including for—
(A)
seniors;
(B)
low-income riders;
(C)
students; or
(D)
employees or members of an organization whereby use of such public transportation is paid for through an agreement between an entity and the designated recipient.
(3) Waiver
The Secretary of Transportation may waive the requirements of paragraph (1) if a recipient of assistance under this chapter is able to identify a dedicated source of operating revenue for such a universal fare free policy from a non-Federal source.