H.R. 5216 — BUFFER Act

This section sets forth congressional findings that (1) extreme weather events such as extreme heat and extreme cold threaten lives and livelihoods across the United States; (2) such events increase vehicle repair and maintenance needs for transit buses; (3) operational disruptions to fixed bus routes during extreme weather are dangerous for bus service users; and (4) transit agencies with high-frequency and high-intensity service, including tourism and live entertainment hubs, face additional operational challenges.

This section directs the Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Federal Transit Administration, to issue regulations and guidance within one year of enactment allowing eligible regional transportation planning organizations, upon request, to increase their spare bus ratio (i.e., the percentage of buses maintained in reserve to cover vehicles out of service) to 30 percent. Eligibility requires submitting (1) a certification that the region regularly experiences extreme weather events, (2) a description of how such events have disrupted bus operations, and (3) a description of how the increase will ensure reliable fixed-route bus services during extreme weather incidents.