Highway Bill 2026: ABA Urges Fuel Tax Equity, Facility Access, and Stronger Intercity Bus Support
With current programs set to expire in fall 2026, ABA is engaging House and Senate leaders to protect group travel and mobility
As Congress begins turning its attention to the 2026 surface transportation reauthorization, the American Bus Association (ABA) is actively engaging lawmakers to ensure the motorcoach and group travel industry’s priorities are front and center in the next highway bill.
ABA recently sent a follow-up letter to the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee reiterating the industry’s key priorities. The letter underscores the motorcoach industry’s essential role in providing safe, affordable mobility, supporting tourism and local economies, and contributing significantly to the nation’s economy. ABA urged Congress to advance policies that ensure fuel tax equity for private operators, strengthen the Intercity Bus Program, guarantee reasonable access to federally funded transit and rail facilities, maintain current insurance standards, ensure equal treatment in congestion and tolling programs, enforce charter bus regulations, establish reasonable idling standards, and evaluate federal transportation subsidies across modes.
While the House T&I Committee had initially hoped to have legislation ready last fall, the process has been delayed. With current surface transportation programs set to expire this fall, we are not optimistic that the bill will be completed on schedule. An extension—particularly in the lead-up to the midterm elections—appears increasingly likely.
ABA continues to closely track developments in both the House and Senate. To date, House minority staff have seen only one portion of the majority’s proposal, leaving significant work ahead. Meanwhile, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is beginning to build out its own proposal.
ABA will remain engaged throughout the process to ensure the motorcoach and group travel industry’s priorities are reflected in the final legislation.
