A bill to amend the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 to provide operating assistance for projects located in areas other than urbanized areas, to provide for mass transportation assistance to meet the needs of elderly and handicapped persons.

[AI summary unavailable — showing source text] Amends the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 to authorize the use of funds made available under such Act for the payment of operating subsidies in areas other than urbanized areas. Requires that in making such grants preference be given to private bus operators who have provided transportation to such an area during the previous year. Removes the limitation that grants for managerial training programs under such Act be available only to students pursuing a graduate course of study. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to require that projects receiving Federal financial assistance under such Act be planned and operated to allow effective utilization of mass transportation services by elderly and handicapped persons. Requires that buses purchased with such funds be accessible to such persons. Requires that all technical study grants for local transportation planning made under such Act include work elements necessary to produce a comprehensive local plan for meeting the mass transportation needs of such persons by July 1, 1978. Directs the Secretary to establish a National Advisory Committee on Accessibility of Mass Transportation to consult with the Secretary on all matters …