Dayton Reporter

Congressman Mike Turner from Ohio's 10th district has partnered with Congressman Maxwell Frost of Florida to introduce the Transit Bus Affordability Act. This bipartisan legislation seeks to address the high costs associated with procuring buses for public transit systems across the United States by mandating a study by the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

Turner, reflecting on his experience as Dayton's former mayor, highlighted the financial burden procurement costs place on local transit agencies. He emphasized that these costs affect service availability and reliability for riders. "That is why I am proud to work with Rep. Frost on the Transit Bus Affordability Act," said Turner. He believes that this legislation will guide lawmakers at various government levels toward reducing bus costs, ultimately benefiting transit agencies and communities nationwide.

Frost underscored the importance of public transit as essential for many individuals' daily commutes and activities. He noted that rising bus procurement costs hinder local agencies from meeting demand and expanding services. "This bipartisan bill with Rep. Turner is an important first step toward understanding the root of the problem and driving down costs," he stated.

Public transportation usage has been on the rise, with 7.7 billion trips taken in 2024 alone, including significant ridership in regions like Dayton, which reported 6.5 million users in 2023. Despite this increased usage, procurement costs remain high, ranging from $580,000 to over $1 million per bus in 2023.

The proposed act requires a GAO study into factors driving these high costs, such as supply chain challenges, and calls for policy recommendations to reduce prices. The findings would be reported to Congress.

Turner serves on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and advocates for reducing waste while protecting essential services funded by federal resources.