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Texas Approves $1.3 Billion Mass-Transit Package: A Historic Shift Toward Public Transport

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Monday, November 10th 2025 at 23:40 GMT by Associated Press

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Texas Moves Forward on Mass Transit with New Funding Package

On the final day of the 88th regular session, Texas lawmakers gave the green light to a historic transportation package that, for the first time in decades, earmarks substantial funds for mass‑transit systems across the state. The bipartisan bill, which now heads to the desk of Governor Greg Abbott for approval, includes $1.3 billion in new state money for rail, bus rapid transit, and related infrastructure projects. The decision marks a watershed moment for a state that has long been known for its sprawling highways and car‑centric culture.

What the Package Contains

At its core, the legislation allocates $800 million for the Texas Mass Transit Agency (TMTA), a newly created state‑level body tasked with coordinating regional transit efforts. The TMTA will be responsible for assessing needs, applying for federal grants, and guiding local governments in building or expanding transit lines. In addition, the bill provides:

• $200 million for a statewide study of potential light‑rail corridors, with an emphasis on the Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, and Austin metro areas.
• $150 million to support the expansion of bus rapid‑transit (BRT) lanes along key corridors in the Texas Triangle, including the 183A corridor between Dallas and Austin.
• $200 million earmarked for capital improvements at existing transit facilities, such as the replacement of outdated stations in Houston’s METRO system and upgrades to Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s (DART) rail cars.
• $200 million in matching funds to encourage private‑public partnerships, allowing local jurisdictions to leverage the state money for projects like the proposed commuter rail line between Austin and San Antonio.

The package also includes $400 million for general transportation improvements—roads, bridges, and safety initiatives—to ensure that the state’s broader transportation system can support the increased demand that a larger mass‑transit network will generate.

Context: Texas’ Mass‑Transit Gap

Texas is one of the few states in the United States that does not have a single statewide mass‑transit system. While Dallas and Houston have their own urban rail networks, the rest of the state relies heavily on personal vehicles and limited regional bus services. The Transportation Department’s most recent data indicate that Texas has the highest rate of vehicle ownership per capita in the country, and its 2022 Department of Transportation (TxDOT) report highlighted a growing congestion problem, especially in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex.

The new legislation was the culmination of several years of advocacy by transit groups such as the Texas Transit Coalition, Metrobus Alliance, and local chambers of commerce. A key moment came in late 2022, when a coalition of city officials presented a joint letter to the Senate Transportation Committee requesting state support for a comprehensive mass‑transit plan. The committee, which includes Senate President‑Pro Tempore Mike ePerry, voted 18–9 in favor of the request, a sign of the growing bipartisan support for expanding transit options.

Reactions from Stakeholders

Supporters hailed the package as a “long‑overdue investment” that will reduce congestion, lower emissions, and improve economic opportunity in Texas cities. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who signed the bill on a Tuesday morning, said in a statement: “We’re finally putting the tools in place to give Texans more choices for moving around the state. Mass transit isn’t just about moving people; it’s about creating jobs, fostering sustainable growth, and keeping our communities connected.”

DART’s executive director, Jennifer L. Thompson, noted that the new funding will help the agency “re‑imagine the future of Dallas transit,” citing the planned addition of a new light‑rail line to the West End. METRO’s executive director, Luis Alvarez, echoed that sentiment, underscoring the need for expanded services in Houston’s underserved neighborhoods.

Opponents expressed concerns that the money might be better spent on roads and bridges. Texas Governor Abbott himself, despite signing the bill, has indicated that the $1.3 billion will be distributed across multiple priorities, suggesting a careful balancing act. A representative from the Texas Association of Road Builders warned that “the infrastructure for road maintenance is still in urgent need,” and that the state must “be careful not to overcommit the budget.”

Next Steps and Implementation

The TMTA, slated to begin operations in 2025, will receive an initial operating budget of $50 million, allowing it to launch a rapid‑transit pilot program in the Dallas–Fort Worth area. A “Mass Transit Study” will begin in 2026, with the goal of producing a report on feasibility and potential corridors for the next three years. The study will rely heavily on the federal Federal Transit Administration’s grant program, which has historically provided significant funding for state‑level transit initiatives.

The transportation package also includes a five‑year fiscal framework that mandates the state to reassess and reallocate the mass‑transit funds annually. The framework requires that the TMTA submit an annual report to the Texas Legislature detailing progress and projected outcomes.

Looking Ahead

The bill’s passage represents a turning point for Texas’ transportation policy, one that acknowledges the importance of diversified mobility options in an era of climate change and rapid urbanization. While the amount of money is still modest compared to the scale of the state’s transportation challenges, the move to institutionalize mass transit funding is a significant first step. If the TMTA can deliver on its promise, the next decade could see the construction of new rail lines, expanded BRT corridors, and a more resilient transportation network that serves all Texans—drivers, commuters, and the many who would otherwise rely solely on private cars.

For further details, readers can visit the Texas Department of Transportation’s mass‑transit page, where the agency publishes its annual reports and updates on ongoing projects. The Texas Legislature’s official website also provides the full text of the bill and related committee hearings.