FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2026

CONTACT
Kate Mason
kate@cte.tv
(615) 419-5185

Washington, D.C. — The Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) is celebrating the successful adoption of Amendment #099 to HR 8748, the Surface Transportation Research and Development Act of 2026. This amendment, authorizing the Transit Vehicle Innovation and Deployment Centers (TVIDC) Program, will have tangible, positive impacts on transit agencies across the country. CTE thanks Representative Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon for her introduction of the measure, and Science and Technology Committee Chair Babin and Ranking Member Lofgren for their support of the amendment’s passage. CTE looks forward to continued partnership with congressional leaders as the bill advances to the House floor.

The TVIDC program is the primary tool used by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Office of Research, Demonstration, and Innovation to help the transit bus industry improve and develop innovative technologies, and to ensure transit agencies are educated on best practices for deployment. Building off a successful history of non-profit consortium management, FTA works with industry representatives to create a research environment that accelerates innovation and drives broader adoption of advanced vehicle technologies.

“Authorization for the TVIDC program is essential to maximizing the impact of the billions in state and federal investments dedicated to deploying advanced transit technologies,” said Dan Raudebaugh, CTE Executive Director. “TVIDC ensures that vehicles purchased with public dollars are equipped with advanced, reliable technologies that strengthen public mobility, reduce long-term maintenance costs, and create American jobs in transit technology manufacturing.”

The recent committee markup represents a major step forward in establishing the federal framework needed to support the deployment of advanced transit technologies. CTE will work with the Senate to secure a dedicated funding level for the TVIDC Program, and will continue to engage with elected officials, industry stakeholders, and transit agencies to advance actionable research as the bill moves toward final passage.

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ABOUT CTE

The Center for Transportation and the Environment is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to improve the health of our climate and communities by bringing people together to develop and commercialize clean, efficient, and sustainable transportation technologies. CTE collaborates with federal, state, and local governments, fleets, and vehicle technology manufacturers to complete our mission. If interested in learning more about CTE, please visit cte.tv.