The "Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act" proposes to amend title 49, United States Code, by establishing a new "High Quality Transit Operating Support Program." This program, overseen by the Secretary of Transportation, aims to provide grants to eligible recipients for public transportation operating costs. Its primary goals are to enhance mobility, improve environmental sustainability, and invest in service improvements across the nation.

Funding under this program would be apportioned to urbanized areas, States, and Indian Tribes, initially based on 50 percent of their average annual operating costs over the preceding three years. Any remaining funds would be distributed proportionally based on total operating costs reported to the National Transit Database. However, no recipient can receive more than 80 percent of their average operating costs in a given year, ensuring a local contribution.

Eligible projects for these grants include a wide range of service enhancements such as decreasing headways, expanding service areas or hours, improving transit reliability, and implementing IT enhancements for customer information and safety. The program also supports initiatives for seamless complete trips, service planning, measuring access to essential services, enhancing customer safety, improving the transit environment, and workforce development necessary to maintain or improve service.

A key requirement is that a preponderance of grant funds must be used for projects benefiting underserved communities or areas of persistent poverty. The Federal share for most projects is 50 percent, but it increases to 80 percent for operating assistance components in these disadvantaged areas, and Indian Tribes receive a 100 percent Federal share. Recipients must also meet specific reporting requirements to the Federal Transit Administration, including data on service to underserved areas and conducting regular surveys of riders and non-riders.

The bill authorizes an appropriation of $20,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2028 to carry out this program. Additionally, it increases the Federal share for operating assistance in rural areas under section 5311 to 80 percent. The Secretary is directed to establish a multimodal access measurement interface, and the Government Accountability Office will review the program's outcomes, particularly its impact on access to work and essential services in disadvantaged communities.