Washington, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and U.S. Representatives Conor Lamb (D-PA-17), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-1), Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24) and John Katko (R-NY-24) introduced the bipartisan Promoting Advancement Through Transit Help (PATH) to College Act. The PATH to College Act establishes a new pilot grant program for public transit providers, in collaboration with eligible institutions of higher education, to increase access to public transportation for college students.
“A lack of reliable transportation should never stop a student from achieving their dreams,” said Senator Casey. “This legislation will improve public transportation so students can pursue education and training beyond high school, allowing them to focus on their education instead of how they’re getting to school every day. I’m proud to partner with Representative Lamb on this bill and I’ll keep fighting to get it over the finish line.”
“Too many students who want to pursue education or training beyond high school face challenges with the ability to simply get to school. This bill will improve accessibility to public transportation to ensure more students can access education and training opportunities in their community,” said Rep. Lamb.
“The cost and lack of access to public transportation are often barriers for students pursuing higher education,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “Our bipartisan legislation will increase public transit stops near college campuses, ensuring that students have a reliable and affordable way to get to class, so they are able to focus on their studies.”
“The lack of access to reliable transportation is one of the greatest barriers between students and their educational pursuits. Far too often, young people are challenged with the simple task of getting to campus. This legislation will improve access to public transportation to ensure that students can get to class easily and on time,” said Rep. Wilson.
The PATH to College Act authorizes funding for the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Labor to award funds, on a competitive basis, to institutions of higher education and transit agencies for the purpose of improving transit accessibility for students attending community colleges, Minority Serving Institutions, or those with a large number of Pell-eligible students. A report from the Seldin/Haring-Smith Foundation indicated that just 57 percent of community colleges are currently accessible by transit.
Multiple higher education and workforce development advocacy organizations have endorsed the legislation, including Partner4Work, Association of Community College Trustees, College Promise, Student Veterans of America and more. Click here to read the endorsing letters.
