Bus Parity and Clarity Act

Bill Number: H.R. 2526
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Transportation and Public Works
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-03-31: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
Last Updated: 2026-04-29T20:40:02Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The Bus Parity and Clarity Act (H.R. 2526) aims to clarify and ensure equal access for over-the-road buses—large intercity buses, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act—to certain transportation facilities. It addresses ambiguities in existing federal law regarding toll roads, bridges, tunnels, ferries, high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, and value pricing programs, extending benefits to both scheduled and charter bus services (charter service means group transportation for exclusive use, as defined in federal regulations).

Key Provisions

Amendments to Toll Access Rules (Section 129(a) of Title 23, U.S. Code):
Replaces vague language ("that serves the public") with "in scheduled or charter service" to explicitly include charter buses.
Adds a definition of "charter service" referencing federal regulations (49 CFR Part 604).
Amendments to HOV Lane Access Rules (Section 166 of Title 23, U.S. Code):
Similarly updates language to cover buses "in scheduled or charter service."
Incorporates the same definition of "charter service."
Value Pricing Pilot Program:
Requires public authorities managing toll facilities under this program (established in 1991) to grant over-the-road buses the same rates, terms, and conditions as public transportation vehicles (e.g., buses or vans for general public use).
Publication Requirement:
Mandates the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Administrator to create and maintain a publicly available online database of rates, terms, and conditions for all covered toll facilities, updated annually within 180 days of enactment and thereafter.
Definitions:
Provides clear meanings for key terms like "over-the-road bus," "charter service," "public authority" (entity with jurisdiction over facilities), "toll facility," and "public transportation vehicle" to avoid confusion.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Clarification of Eligibility: Existing laws (Sections 129 and 166) previously used broad phrases like "serves the public," which could exclude charter services. The bill explicitly includes them, broadening access without altering core eligibility criteria.
Integration with Value Pricing: Adds a new mandate for equal treatment in pilot programs for congestion pricing (variable tolls to manage traffic), linking it directly to toll access rules.
Transparency Enhancements: Introduces a federal requirement for a centralized, public database, which did not exist before, to standardize information across facilities.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: The FHWA must develop and update an online database, increasing administrative workload but improving oversight and compliance. Public authorities (e.g., state toll agencies) may need to adjust policies to ensure equal bus access, potentially simplifying enforcement.
On Citizens: Bus passengers, especially those relying on intercity or charter services, could benefit from more predictable and affordable access to highways, reducing travel costs and improving mobility options, particularly in areas with tolls or HOV restrictions.
On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. highway infrastructure.
Broader Effects: Promotes efficiency in the bus industry by reducing legal uncertainties, potentially encouraging more bus operations and decreasing reliance on cars or air travel, which could ease traffic congestion.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Over-the-Road Bus Operators: Primary beneficiaries, including companies providing scheduled intercity routes or charter services, gaining clearer access rights and potentially lower toll costs.
Public Authorities and Toll Facility Managers: State and local agencies overseeing roads, bridges, HOV lanes, and pricing programs must comply with updated rules and equal treatment requirements.
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA): Responsible for database publication and guidance, affecting resource allocation.
Passengers and the Public: Indirectly affected through improved bus affordability and availability, especially for commuters, tourists, or groups using charter buses.
Public Transportation Providers: Ensured parity, preventing competitive disadvantages from bus access expansions.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal Implications: Strengthens enforcement of equal access under federal highway law by resolving interpretive ambiguities, potentially reducing litigation over bus eligibility. Aligns with broader transportation equity goals in laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act but does not create new rights or liabilities.
Constitutional Implications: None significant; the bill operates within Congress's authority over interstate commerce and federal-aid highways (Article I, Section 8), without infringing on state powers or individual rights.
Political Implications: Supports the bus industry's push for parity with public transit, reflecting bipartisan sponsorship (from Representatives Van Drew and Gottheimer). It could influence future infrastructure debates by emphasizing clarity and fairness in toll policies, without major partisan divides evident in the text.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2]

Cosponsors (5)

Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

Recent Actions

2025-03-31: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
2025-03-31: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
2025-03-31: Introduced in House
2025-03-31: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Bus Parity and Clarity Act — issued 2025-03-31 — PDF (4 pages)