Mass Transit: Challenges in Evaluating, Overseeing, and Funding Major Transit Projects
T-RCED-00-104
Published: Mar 08, 2000. Publicly Released: Mar 08, 2000.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO discussed the challenges the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) faces in evaluating and overseeing proposed mass transit construction projects, focusing on: (1) FTA's process for evaluating proposed transit projects; (2) FTA's oversight of transit projects under construction; (3) the ever-increasing competition for federal transit construction dollars; and (4) the costs, schedules, and financing of six ongoing transit projects.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Transit Administration | The Federal Transit Administration should prioritize the projects it rates as highly recommended or recommended and ready to receive New Starts funds. |
Closed – Implemented
FTA implemented a new "cost-effectiveness" practice for the New Starts program in March 2005. Specifically, FTA will generally not recommend funding for a project that does not achieve at least a "medium" cost-effectiveness rating. FTA officials stated that this new practice will help FTA further prioritize and distinguish among projects for federal funding. According to FTA officials, this new practice was implemented, in part, to address GAO's recommendation.
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Topics
Cost controlFederal aid for transportationFederal grantsGrant administrationGrant award proceduresInternal controlsMass transitMass transit fundingTransportation planningAirports