This bill amends parts of title 23 of the U.S. Code to clarify how over-the-road buses get access to toll roads, bridges, tunnels, ferries, and HOV lanes. It replaces the phrase "that serves the public" with the phrase "in scheduled or charter service" in two statutory provisions. It also adds a formal definition of "charter service" by referring to part 604 of title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The bill says that when a public authority runs a value pricing pilot for a toll facility, it must give an over-the-road bus in scheduled or charter service the same rates, terms, and conditions as a public transportation vehicle. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) must publish a unified database, on a public website, listing the rates, terms, and conditions for each toll facility covered by the equal access rules. The database must be published within 180 days after the bill becomes law and then updated annually.
No publicly available information on the bill's costs or funding. The bill requires FHWA to publish a database and requires public authorities to follow equal-access rules, but it does not include cost figures or specify funding sources.
Supporters introduced the bill to clarify existing statutory language and to make sure over-the-road buses operating in scheduled or charter service have the same access and terms as public transportation vehicles. The bill also increases transparency by directing the FHWA to publish a unified database of toll facility rates, terms, and conditions.
No publicly available information on opponents' views or formal objections.