Freedom to Move Act
Sponsored By: Representative Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7]
In Committee
Summary
Fare-free public transportation is the bill's main goal. It would create competitive grants to cover lost fare revenue and to expand and redesign bus and transit service to better serve low-income and historically underserved communities.
Show full summary
- Local governments and transit agencies would compete for five-year "Freedom to Move" grants that pay for lost fares and fund service improvements. Eligible applicants include states, counties, municipalities, transit agencies, rural nonprofit operators, and partnerships.
- Low-income riders and underserved areas would be prioritized through required bus network redesigns and an equity evaluation that disaggregates ridership by age, disability, race, and income. The bill defines low-income as households at or below 150 percent of the poverty line.
- Transit workers and rider safety are addressed by requiring grant applications to report assaults on employees and include trainings and de-escalation policies, plus plans to disclose and end criminalization of fare evasion.
*This bill would authorize $5.0 billion per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030, totaling $25.0 billion and increasing federal spending over that period.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Grants for fare-free local transit
The bill would create 5-year grants to help cities and transit agencies run fare-free buses and trains and improve service. Grants would replace lost fare revenue and fund more frequent, reliable service and safety measures. Applicants would need equity plans, broad community input, outreach, and plans to end criminal penalties for fare evasion. States, cities, transit agencies, and rural nonprofit providers could apply. Awards would start within 360 days, with about $5 billion a year available from 2026–2030.
Equity rules and reporting for transit grants
The bill would set who is prioritized for fare-free service. “Low-income” would mean family income at or below 150% of the federal poverty line for your family size. Underserved areas would be places with little or no bus service in census tracts that are both low-income and communities of color; foster care youth are counted in key demographics. “Public transportation” would exclude intercity rail or bus, charter, school, sightseeing, and private shuttles. Within three years after funds are available, the Department of Transportation would report who was served and progress on closing equity gaps.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7]
MA • D
Cosponsors
Adams
NC • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3]
OH • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Bishop
GA • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11]
OH • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Carson
IN • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5]
MO • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Clyburn
SC • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Crockett
TX • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Davis (IL)
IL • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6]
LA • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Jackson (IL)
IL • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Johnson (GA)
GA • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12]
PA • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10]
NJ • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4]
WI • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5]
MN • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3]
IL • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Simon
CA • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]
MI • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]
GA • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Ocasio-Cortez
NY • D
Sponsored 7/29/2025
Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5]
CT • D
Sponsored 7/29/2025
Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2]
RI • D
Sponsored 9/26/2025
Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6]
NY • D
Sponsored 12/10/2025
Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3]
PA • D
Sponsored 4/20/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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