Public Transit, Updated Guidance and Expanded Federal Authority Could Facilitate Bus Procurement

" Buses are critical to the nation's public transportation services. According to data from FTA's National Transit Database, buses carry more passengers than all other modes combined. FTA provides grants to transit agencies to buy buses. When making these purchases, agencies must comply with a range of federal requirements. GAO was asked to review the transit bus market and federal role in bus procurement. This report examines (1) the characteristics of the U.S. transit bus market, (2) the federal role in transit bus procurement, and (3) views of selected transit agencies on challenges, if any, agencies face when procuring new buses and federal actions that could address those challenges. GAO reviewed FTA's National Transit Database data from 2004 and 2013 and applicable federal law, regulations, and grant documents; conducted six discussion groups with representatives of 36 rural and urban transit agencies; and interviewed FTA and GSA officials, national transit industry organizations, and transit bus manufacturers. "