S. 2478 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Jul 28, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryGrants help communities make public transit free
The Department of Transportation would give money to states, cities, transit agencies, and nonprofits to pay for free public transportation and make bus service better. The grants would last five years and could go to both rural and urban areas. The money would cover lost ticket sales from free rides and help pay for improvements like safer bus stops, more frequent service, and better bike and pedestrian infrastructure, especially in communities that don't have great transit options.
How it affects you
If you live in an area that receives these grants and uses public transportation, you could ride buses for free instead of paying fares. You might also see improvements to bus stops and more reliable service. However, the summary doesn't specify which communities would get funding, so whether this affects you depends on where you live and whether your local transit system applies for and receives a grant.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Jul 28, 2025)
Freedom to Move Act
This bill directs the Department of Transportation to award competitive five-year grants (i.e., Freedom to Move Grants) to states, local governments, transit agencies, and nonprofit organizations in both rural and urban areas to cover the lost fare revenue for fare-free public transportation and improve public transportation.
Grants must be used to support (1) implementing a fare-free transit program; and (2) efforts to improve public transportation, particularly in underserved communities, such as costs associated with efforts to provide more safe, frequent, and reliable bus service, including bus stop safety and accessibility improvements, and pedestrian and bike shelters.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 2478
A BILL
Freedom to Move Act
Sponsor: Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) · Introduced Jul 28, 2025 · Transportation and Public Works · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jul 28, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.”