Rep. Frost urges GAO study of transit bus prices, proposes ending bleed-air ventilation on new aircraft
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Summary
Representative Frost urged the committee to include a GAO study of factors driving high transit bus prices in surface-transportation reauthorization and previewed bipartisan bills to address fume events on planes and to fund home energy storage for storm resilience.
Representative Frost told the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee that high transit-bus prices and airplane cabin “fume events” are on her legislative agenda and asked the committee to fold a bus-cost study into the surface-transportation reauthorization.
“Transit buses can easily reach over a million dollars each,” Frost said, listing customization, supply-chain problems and a small number of manufacturers as suspected cost drivers. She said she will introduce the Transit Bus Affordability Act, which “instructs GAO to investigate which factors are driving up the cost of transit buses, what steps the FTA, transit agencies and stakeholders have taken to reduce cost, and any additional authorities that the FTA or transit agencies may need to help minimize cost.”
On air-quality issues, Frost described a constituent who suffers long-term health problems after repeated airplane “fume events” and previewed the bipartisan Safe Air on Airplanes Act. Frost said the bill would “end the use of bleed air systems for ventilation in new commercial aircraft designs, require effective filters on bleed air systems within seven years, and phase out the use of bleed air systems for ventilation in existing commercial aircraft designs.” She asked the committee to consider incorporating her study and bills into future drafting work.
Frost also urged the committee to consider the Energy Storage for Resilient Homes Act, which would allow FEMA resources to be used for home energy storage installation after severe storms. “When a severe storm hits, the loss of electricity can mean the loss of life,” she said, and cited post-hurricane fatalities among older adults.
What was asked: Frost requested committee consideration of three items for the reauthorization package or related committee work — (1) a GAO-led study of transit bus cost drivers; (2) legislation to address airplane bleed-air systems and filters; and (3) use of FEMA resources to support residential energy storage for storm resilience.