Improving Accessibility Through Microtransit Act

Bill Number

H.R. 5922

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Transportation and Public Works

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-11-05: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

Last Updated

2026-02-24T09:05:30Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Improving Accessibility Through Microtransit Act" (H.R. 5922) aims to enhance transportation options for people with disabilities or mobility challenges by creating a temporary federal pilot program. This program provides competitive grants to help expand "microtransit" services—flexible, on-demand rides using shared vehicles—making them more accessible, especially for wheelchair users and low-income individuals.

Key Provisions

• Establishment of Pilot Program: The Secretary of Transportation, through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), must launch the program within 180 days of the bill's enactment. It will run for 5 years and offer grants on a competitive basis to improve microtransit availability.
• Eligibility and Applications: Eligible applicants, called "covered entities" (state or local governments, Tribal organizations, or metropolitan planning organizations), must submit applications detailing the disabilities targeted, the geographic area served (e.g., square miles covered), and other required information. Partnerships with private companies are allowed.
• Selection Criteria and Priorities: Grants are awarded based on Secretary-defined criteria, with priority given to projects that:
• Increase accessibility for disabled individuals.
• Fill gaps in existing services.
• Provide economic benefits, like better job access or local development.
• Focus on wheelchair-accessible vehicles/apps, low-income access (e.g., for those without smartphones or credit cards), technology deployment, safety improvements, or hiring drivers.
• Grant Limits and Uses: Individual grants cannot exceed $3 million. Funds can be used for:
• Buying or leasing accessible multi-passenger vehicles (e.g., with ramps or lifts).
• Driver training (initial and ongoing).
• Contracting for operations or management.
• Acquiring software or technology for microtransit.
• Other accessibility improvements as approved by the Secretary.
• Safety and Privacy Requirements: Grant recipients must install and maintain interior cameras on vehicles to record passengers and drivers (with audio and video, tamper-proof, retained for at least 30 days). Access is restricted to authorized staff and law enforcement via legal requests; public release is prohibited.
• Labor Protections: Projects must follow federal labor standards under 49 U.S.C. § 5333, which include requirements like fair wages and worker protections for transit projects.
• Funding: Authorizes $20 million for the program, available until its end.
• Definitions: Key terms include:
• Microtransit service: Tech-enabled, on-demand rides with dynamic routing using a dedicated fleet of shared vehicles (e.g., connecting to fixed bus routes, zone-based, or point-to-point within areas).
• Covered vehicle: Multi-passenger vans or similar equipped for wheelchair access (e.g., ramps, hydraulic lifts).
• References to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for terms like "fixed route system" (standard bus schedules) and paratransit (special services for disabled users).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a new, time-limited pilot program not previously authorized under federal transit law. It builds on the ADA (1990), which requires accessible public transit, by specifically funding innovative microtransit to address gaps in traditional fixed-route or paratransit services. It also mandates new safety features (interior cameras) and applies existing labor rules (49 U.S.C. § 5333) to these grants, but does not alter broader transit funding laws like the Federal Transit Act.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The Department of Transportation (DOT) and FTA will administer the program, requiring new processes for applications, evaluations, and oversight, potentially straining resources but fostering innovation in transit tech.
• Citizens: People with disabilities or mobility impairments gain better, on-demand transport options, reducing isolation and improving access to jobs, healthcare, and services. Low-income individuals benefit from inclusive features, promoting equity.
• Local Economies and Communities: Could boost job creation (e.g., driver hiring) and economic development in underserved areas, while enhancing safety through cameras.
• International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. transit.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• People with Disabilities/Mobility Impairments: Primary beneficiaries, including wheelchair users, through expanded accessible rides.
• Covered Entities: State/local governments, Tribal organizations, and planning bodies that apply for and manage grants.
• Private Partners: Companies collaborating on microtransit operations, vehicle tech, or apps.
• Transit Workers and Drivers: Impacted by training, hiring opportunities, and labor protections.
• Low-Income Communities: Gain from features enabling access without smartphones or credit cards.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens ADA enforcement by funding practical solutions to accessibility gaps, but the camera mandate raises privacy concerns under the Fourth Amendment (protection against unreasonable searches), balanced by strict access limits. Labor standards ensure compliance with federal protections, potentially reducing disputes.
• Constitutional: No major challenges anticipated; it aligns with Congress's spending power (Article I) to promote general welfare via transit equity.
• Political: Promotes bipartisan support for disability rights and innovative transit (introduced by Reps. Stanton and Bresnahan). The 5-year pilot allows evaluation before permanence, but funding authorization may spark debates on budget priorities amid competing infrastructure needs.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4]

Cosponsors (2)

Rep. Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8], Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3]

Recent Actions

• 2025-11-05: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
• 2025-11-04: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
• 2025-11-04: Introduced in House
• 2025-11-04: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Improving Accessibility Through Microtransit Act — issued 2025-11-04 — PDF (9 pages)