MTC executive director joins federal advisory board for new approach to transportation funding

The U.S. Department of Transportation this month appointed MTC and Bay Area Toll Authority Executive Director Andrew Fremier to serve on its Federal System Funding Alternative (FSFA) Advisory Board, which is charged with exploring per-mile vehicle user fees and other innovative funding solutions to maintain and improve the nation’s transportation infrastructure. 

Due largely to improved fuel efficiency and the growing adoption of electric vehicles, the Congressional Budget Office projects revenues in the Highway Trust Fund, which is primarily supported by federal gas taxes that have remained unchanged since 1993, to fall by 20 percent over the next five years. Mr. Fremier, who also served as president of the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) in 2023, was selected to represent toll facility owners and operators on the FSFA Advisory Board. He will serve a two-year term. 

The FSFA Advisory Board, which was established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 to guide the development of a national motor vehicle per-mile user fee pilot program, will be chaired Utah Department of Transportation executive director Carlos Braceras. 

The Advisory Board’s responsibilities include designing the program, leading public awareness efforts, and preparing comprehensive reports for Congress to evaluate the feasibility of distance-based user fees. 

“The broad agreement that new approaches are needed to meet the age-old challenge of funding and maintaining our infrastructure creates an opportunity to combine constantly evolving technologies with established customer service networks in a way that will make this transition seem natural,” said Fremier.

“Congratulations to all members, including IBTTA members, appointed to the Federal System Funding Alternative Advisory Board,” said IBTTA chief executive officer Kathryn Clay. “Toll operators like Andrew Fremier bring unmatched expertise in user-based finance and funding, advanced technologies, and customer-focused solutions, positioning them to lead the development of sustainable systems like per-mile user fees. We are also encouraged by the selection of Carlos Braceras as chair of the Advisory Board, as a leader with unparalleled experience in running both toll operations and distance-based road charging in Utah. We look forward to working with Congress, President Trump, and his nominee for transportation secretary, Sean Duffy, to advance our shared goals for sound, forward-looking transportation policy.”