Tester Secures More Than $30 Million for Montana Public Transit through Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Funding to support public transportation and job growth in urban, rural parts of state

As a part of the bipartisan infrastructure law, U.S. Senator Jon Tester today announced that he secured more than $30 million for Montana rural and urban public transit. Earlier this year, Tester announced $11 million in partial-year transit funding for Montana—this new figure represents the total amount for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) designated for Montana public transportation in the infrastructure package.

“Efficient and affordable public transportation networks are an important driver of our state’s economy,” said Tester. “Thousands of Montanans rely on public transportation each day for work, school, or medical appointments, and investing in this critical infrastructure will keep Montanans connected and create good-paying jobs across the Treasure State.”

The funding secured by Tester can be used for transit systems in urban and rural areas, buses and bus facilities, and transit designed for seniors and people with disabilities. Funding will be distributed through the Federal Transit Administration to the Montana Department of Transportation, Tribal nations, and urban areas via formula-based grant programs.

A general breakdown of FY22 grant funding for public transit is below:

• Rural areas apportionment – $14,591,137
• Urbanized area formula funds – $7,615,674
• Bus and bus facilities – $4,455,900
• Public transit on Indian reservations – $2,307,451
• Enhanced mobility for seniors – $1,397,482
• Metropolitan & statewide planning – $768,810

Tester worked across the aisle for months to negotiate his bipartisan package with a group of five Republicans, four Democrats, and the White House, and he was the only member of Montana’s congressional delegation to vote for it. Tester’s law is projected to create more than 800,000 American jobs and lower costs for businesses by making targeted investments that will strengthen our nation without raising taxes on working families.

Tester secured significant wins for Montana in the legislation, including $2.82 billion for Montana’s roads, highways and bridges; $2.5 billion to complete all authorized Indian water rights settlements; $1 billion to complete all authorized rural water projects through the Bureau of Reclamation; $65 billion to deploy broadband to areas across the country that lack internet access and make online connectivity affordable; and $3.37 billion to reduce wildfire risk nationwide, among others. Tester also worked to ensure that all iron, steel, and construction materials used for these projects must be made in America.

A full list of Montana provisions in Tester’s bipartisan infrastructure law can be found HERE.