Federal Advocacy
MTC is a strong advocate in Washington, D.C. for the Bay Area’s transportation priorities.
Photo by Maria Oswalt/Unsplash
Federal policy and funding decisions have a big influence on the region’s transportation network.
MTC's advocacy work in Washington traditionally focuses on ensuring Bay Area priorities are reflected in federal transportation policy and supporting a robust overall federal transportation program. MTC also advocates for funding and policies that support Bay Area regional priority projects.
MTC’s advocacy priorities include the following:
The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H. R. 3684) — known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) — allocates roughly $1 trillion for infrastructure investment over five years, and reauthorizes the core federal surface transportation program.
The BIL includes a five-year authorization of the core federal surface transportation program. MTC distributes federal transit funds through the Transit Capital Priorities program and flexible highway funds via the One Bay Area Grant program.
Bay Area surface transportation projects can compete for more than $100 billion in U.S. Department of Transportation BIL competitive grants. MTC’s Bay Area Infrastructure Grants Strategy charts a five-year path for maximizing the Bay Area’s share of these grants.
This is the major funding source for rail and bus expansion projects nationwide. MTC advocates for robust funding levels in Washington, and plays a critical role in developing consensus among Bay Area transit partners about which projects should pursue this highly competitive grant.
COVID-19 Relief Funding
Federal relief funds in response to the COVID-19 pandemic delivered almost $4 billion for Bay Area transit agencies. This money kept transit agencies running, and will help the Bay Area to invest and plan for a better public transit network in the future.
Working Together on the Federal, State & Regional Levels
State legislators work on a range of policies that affect the Bay Area. MTC makes sure the Bay Area has a voice when state funding gets distributed.
MTC collaborates with cities, counties, transit agencies and other partners to compete together for federal and state funding.
MTC teams with many national organizations to advocate for federal policies that improve transportation in large metro areas. These include:
- American Public Transportation Association
- Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations
- Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors
- ITS America
- International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association
- Transportation for America
- U.S. Conference of Mayors
View past MTC reports to Congress:
- 2023: Building a Better Bay Area: BIL Grant Priorities — Annual Report to Congress
- 2022: The Bay Area is Stronger Together: BIL Grant Priorities — Annual Report to Congress
- 2020: Planning and Partnering for a New Generation — Annual Report to Congress
- 2019: Building Resilience: Planning and Investing in the Bay Area's Future — Annual Report to Congress
- 2018: Accelerating Progress: Strong Partnerships Move the Bay Area Forward — Annual Report to Congress
- 2017: Keeping the FAST Act Promise: 38th Annual Report to Congress
- 2016: 37th Annual Report to Congress: FAST Act Promises New Opportunities
- 2015: Report to Congress: Will Congress Choose a New Direction?
- 2014: Building America's Future : Bay Area on the Move : 35th Annual Report to Congress
These online resources make it easier to stay on top of what’s going on in Washington: