HR 5216
BUFFER Act
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Bill overview
The Bus Utilization for Fleet Flexibility and Emergency Resilience Act (BUFFER Act) aims to improve the resilience of public bus transportation systems during extreme weather events. It directs the Secretary of Transportation to allow regional transportation planning organizations to increase the number of spare buses they maintain to 30 percent. This increase is contingent on demonstrating a history of extreme weather disruptions and outlining how it will enhance service reliability. The goal is to ensure continued access to bus services when weather conditions impact regular operations.
Key provisions
- Allows regional transportation planning organizations to increase spare bus ratios to 30 percent.
- The Secretary of Transportation will issue regulations and guidance to implement this change.
- Organizations must certify they regularly experience extreme weather.
- Organizations must demonstrate how extreme weather has disrupted bus service.
- Organizations must explain how the increased spare ratio will improve service reliability.
Who is affected
- Regional Transportation Planning Organizations
- Transit Agencies
- Public Bus Users
- Communities Experiencing Extreme Weather
Notable changes
- Increases the standard spare bus ratio from its current level to 30 percent.
- Creates a mechanism for regional planning organizations to request increased spare bus ratios.
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Primary sponsor
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119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
H. R. 5216
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To require the Secretary of Transportation, to issue regulations and guidance to allow certain regional transportation planning organizations to increase spare bus ratios to 30 percent, and for other purposes.
This Act may be cited as the Bus Utilization for Fleet Flexibility and Emergency Resilience Act BUFFER Act
or the
.
Congress finds the following:
Extreme weather events such as extreme heat and extreme cold threaten the lives and livelihoods of communities across the United States.
Instances of extreme weather can increase vehicle repair and maintenance needs for transit buses.
Operational disruptions to fixed bus routes during extreme weather events are dangerous to people who rely on bus services to get around.
a description of how extreme weather events have disrupted bus operations in the region; and
a description of how increasing the spare ratio will help ensure reliable services for users of fixed bus routes during incidents of extreme weather.