Transit stop shelter and station accessibility

Section 5337 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (g) Bus stop shelter reimbursement program (1) In general The Secretary shall reimburse an eligible entity for installing bus stop shelters if such entity followed the formal process established under paragraph (3) for the installation of each such shelter. (2) Reimbursement amount The Secretary shall annually determine the amount for which an eligible entity shall be reimbursed for each bus stop shelter that such entity verifies has been successfully installed, including any additional amounts necessary for bus stop shelters to meet different weather standards. The Secretary shall set such amount at a level that— (A) maintains purchasing power for the eligible entity relying on such amount; (B) ensures that such amount is sufficient to discourage inflation; and (C) incentivizes eligible entities to use products covered by a Federal purchasing schedule authorized under section 5 of the Faster Buses Better Futures Act. (3) Establishment of formal process The Secretary shall establish a formal process for the instillation of bus stop shelters to be reimbursable under this subsection that includes— (A) an annual notice of funding opportunity that requires an eligible entity seeking reimbursement to— (i) submit to the Secretary a bus shelter plan; (ii) each year after the submission of a plan under clause (i), submit to the Secretary a report containing— (I) the progress the eligible entity has made in implementing the bus shelter plan with both Federal and non-Federal funds; and (II) the total cost of the bus stop shelters installed by such entity; (iii) indicate the quantity and location of proposed bus stop shelters; (iv) ensure that each proposed bus stop shelter meets weather standards; and (v) indicate how the proposed bus stop shelter installations will be coordinated with any other capital projects taking place at bus stops with such proposed installations, including— (I) projects funded under section 5309; (II) transit priority measures authorized under section 5323(w); and (III) projects funded under subsection (h); and (B) a period between 270 and 365 days after the Notice of Funding Opportunity opens in which the eligible entity provides to the Secretary— (i) the number and location of the bus stop shelters proposed in the bus shelter plan that have been installed; and (ii) verification, in a form determined by the Secretary, that the bus stop shelters identified in clause (i)— (I) were constructed; and (II) meet weather standards. (4) Grant requirements Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, amounts provided under this subsection shall be subject to the requirements of section 5307 of title 49, United States Code. (5) Definitions In this subsection: (B) Bus shelter plan The term bus shelter plan means a plan prepared by an eligible entity that— (i) identifies which bus stops under the jurisdiction of the entity that do not either shelter, seating, or both; (ii) the order of priority for installing bus stop shelters at stops identified in clause (i); and (iii) how the order of priority listed in clause (ii) addresses equity of service to all riders regardless of whether the riders are low-income, seniors, or members of a community of color. (C) Bus stop shelter The term bus stop shelter means a structure installed at a stop on a fixed-route bus service that— (i) meets weather standards; (ii) provides seating; and (iii) has signage that tracks arrival time of transit vehicles. (D) Eligible entity The term eligible entity means a recipient or subrecipient of assistance under section 5307 or 5311. (E) Weather standards The term weather standards means guidelines, as determined by the Secretary, outlining what protection a bus stop shelter provides individuals based on weather conditions, including— (i) levels of rain, snow, and other types of precipitation; (ii) heat and sunshine; and (iii) extreme cold. (6) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to provide grants under this subsection. (h) All stations accessibility program (1) In general The Secretary may make grants under this subsection to assist eligible entities in financing capital projects to upgrade accessibility for individuals with disabilities by increasing the number of covered stations that meet the construction standards of title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12131 et seq.). (2) Eligible costs A grant awarded under this section shall be used by an eligible entity for the purpose described in paragraph (1) only— (A) for a project to repair, improve, or relocate station infrastructure at a covered station; (B) to develop or modify a plan for pursuing public transportation accessibility projects; or (C) to carry out other projects at covered stations that meet the construction standards of title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12131 et seq.). (3) Eligible facilities The Secretary— (A) may not provide a grant under this subsection to upgrade a station that is accessible to, and usable by, individuals with disabilities consistent with construction standards under title II the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 1231 et seq.); and (B) may provide a grant to upgrade a station that is not accessible and usable as described in paragraph (1), even if related services, programs, or activities, if viewed in entirety, are readily accessible and usable as so described. (4) Application To apply for a grant under this subsection, an applicant shall provide to the Secretary such information as the Secretary may require, including information on— (A) the extent to which the proposed project will increase the accessibility of a covered system; (B) projected improvements in access to jobs, community activities, and essential destinations provided by such project; (C) the applicant’s plans to— (i) enhance the customer experience and maximize accessibility of stations, and the transit options such stations serve, for individuals with disabilities; (ii) improve the operations of, provide efficiencies of service to, and enhance the public transportation system for individuals with disabilities; and (iii) address equity of service to all riders regardless of whether the riders are low-income, seniors, or members of a community of color; and (D) coordination between the applicant and disability advocacy entities. (5) Federal share The Federal share of the total project cost of a grant provided under this subsection shall be 90 percent. The recipient may provide additional local matching amounts. (6) Grant requirements Except as otherwise provided under this subsection, a grant provided under this subsection shall be subject to the requirements of section 5307. (7) Grant solicitation The Secretary may provide funds authorized under this subsection through 1 or more notices of funding opportunity. (8) Funding (A) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to provide grants under this subsection. (B) Availability of amounts Amounts made available under this subsection shall be available for a period of 4 fiscal years after the fiscal year in which the amount is made available. (9) Definitions In this section: (A) Covered station The term covered station means a bus station, a multimodal transfer station, or a rail fixed guideway public transportation station for passenger use constructed prior to the date of enactment of the Faster Buses Better Futures Act. (B) Disability The term disability has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102). (C) Eligible entity The term eligible entity means— (i) a recipient or subrecipient of assistance under section 5307 or 5311; or (ii) a State or local government that operates a rail fixed guideway public transportation system that was in operation before July 26, 1990..