Statecraft Podcast Episode Summary: "How the Federal Transit Administration Works"
Host: Santi Ruiz
Guest: Peter Rogoff
Release Date: May 14, 2025
In this insightful episode of Statecraft, host Santi Ruiz delves into the intricacies of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) with seasoned expert Peter Rogoff. With over two decades of experience on the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee and five years leading the FTA, Rogoff provides an in-depth look into how federal transit policy is crafted, funded, and implemented across the United States.
1. Introduction to Peter Rogoff and the FTA
Santi Ruiz opens the conversation by introducing Peter Rogoff, highlighting his extensive background in federal transit policy.
[00:04] Santi Ruiz: "...Rogoff spent 22 years as a staffer on the most powerful Senate committee, the Appropriations Committee..."
Rogoff's tenure included key roles in crafting transportation reauthorization bills and pioneering multimodal transportation funding during the 2008 financial crisis.
2. Understanding the Federal Transit Administration
Rogoff elucidates the core functions of the FTA, positioning it alongside other modal administrations within the Department of Transportation.
[01:55] Peter Rogoff: "The Federal Transit Administration is both the federal funder of and grant maker of transit agencies all across the country..."
He clarifies that the FTA primarily oversees buses, bus rapid transit (BRT), vans, medical transportation, and major public rail systems.
3. Federal Funding Mechanics for Transit Agencies
A significant portion of the discussion centers on how the FTA allocates funds to various transit agencies, emphasizing the formula-based distribution that varies widely among agencies.
[03:15] Peter Rogoff: "The majority of funds are funds that go out by formula annually to each of the transit agencies."
Rogoff highlights that smaller, often rural transit agencies may rely on up to 90% federal funding, contrasting with larger urban systems that receive a smaller percentage of their budgets from federal sources.
4. Challenges: Maintenance vs. Expansion
Rogoff passionately discusses the critical balance between maintaining existing transit infrastructure and pursuing expansion projects. He recounts a pivotal moment during his FTA tenure:
[09:19] Peter Rogoff: "I focused on the state of good repair of the systems... whether it was really appropriate as a matter of policy for us to send more taxpayer dollars to transit agencies to expand their system when they weren't adequately maintaining the system..."
This stance initially faced backlash but ultimately led to the creation of dedicated maintenance grant categories, ensuring existing systems remained reliable.
5. The Evolution and Impact of TIGER Grants
One of the episode's focal points is the Treasury Innovation Grants for Economic Recovery (TIGER) program. Rogoff details its inception during the Obama administration as a response to the Great Recession, aiming to fund high-impact, multimodal transportation projects beyond traditional formula allocations.
[19:25] Peter Rogoff: "TIGER grants are mode neutral. They can go to most any mode... Including port projects, which was a big innovative part."
He acknowledges challenges in comparing diverse projects like bike paths to highway expansions but emphasizes a merit-based approach to funding allocations.
6. Streamlining Environmental Processes
Rogoff addresses the often-complicated environmental review processes that can delay transit projects. He criticizes the current system's susceptibility to litigation and advocates for a more streamlined, performance-based approach.
[50:17] Peter Rogoff: "The environmental process is more than just the environment... Unfortunately, it has become a process that lends itself to litigation."
He shares experiences from both the FTA and his time at Sound Transit, highlighting the need for consistency and efficiency across different regions and projects.
7. Enhancing Safety Regulations for Transit Operators
A notable achievement discussed is the extension of safety oversight to local transit rail operators, previously unregulated federally. This change was catalyzed by tragic incidents like the Rhode Island Avenue Washington Metro crash.
[65:15] Peter Rogoff: "We submitted a bill to Congress to extend safety authority over those systems to the Federal Transit Administration."
This shift marked a significant improvement in ensuring the safety and reliability of transit operations nationwide.
8. Cost Discrepancies Between U.S. and International Transit Projects
Rogoff explores why transit projects in the U.S. often incur higher costs compared to international counterparts. Factors include stringent regulatory requirements, bureaucratic inertia, and the absence of national entities that can streamline processes.
[70:40] Peter Rogoff: "The standards are different... There's just a certain bureaucratic inertia that slows things down."
He points out that Europe's national transit authorities benefit from centralized power and often subsidized infrastructure services, reducing overall costs.
9. Lessons and Advice for Future FTA Administrators
Concluding the episode, Rogoff offers valuable advice for incoming FTA leaders, emphasizing the importance of understanding the unique governance and funding structures of each transit agency.
[73:35] Peter Rogoff: "Recognize that if you've seen one transit agency, you've seen one transit agency. You need to know how they're governed, how they're funded..."
He advocates for a balanced approach, promoting both the swift disbursement of funds and the thorough preparation of projects to ensure long-term success and sustainability.
10. The Power of Consensus and Bipartisanship
Rogoff reflects on his experience in the Senate Appropriations Committee, illustrating how bipartisan collaboration can effectively advance transit policies. He recounts successfully advocating for safety regulations and emergency relief programs by building coalitions across political lines.
[55:23] Peter Rogoff: "You use the talent you have... If people could look past their territoriality and recognize that everyone can help them, you can get better results."
Conclusion
Peter Rogoff's extensive experience provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the Federal Transit Administration's role in shaping and funding America's transit landscape. From navigating complex funding formulas and advocating for maintenance over expansion to pioneering grant programs and enhancing safety regulations, Rogoff's insights shed light on the multifaceted challenges and triumphs within federal transit policy-making. This episode serves as an essential guide for policymakers, transit professionals, and enthusiasts keen on understanding the backbone of America's public transportation system.