FTA allocates $25 billion in virus aid to transit agencies

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The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act allocates $22.7 billion to large and small urban areas and $2.2 billion to rural areas.Photo – dot.gov

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) yesterday announced a total of $25 billion in federal funding allocations to help public transit agencies respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Funding is provided through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which President Donald Trump signed March 27. The act allocates $22.7 billion to large and small urban areas and $2.2 billion to rural areas. 

Funding will be available to reimburse capital and operating expenses incurred to prevent, prepare for and respond to COVID-19. Eligible expenses include paying salaries,  purchasing protective equipment and cleaning supplies, and maintaining transit service, FTA officials said in a press release.

On the East Coast, the New York-Newark-New Jersey Connecticut region will receive $1.5 billion, the Philadelphia-New Jersey-Pennsylvania region will receive $125 million and New York City will receive $3.8 billion, nj.com reported.

New Jersey Transit requested $1.25 billion and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey asked for $1.9 billion to cover their losses and expenses due to coronavirus, the news outlet reported.

In Colorado, the Regional Transportation District of Denver expects to receive $232 million, according to an agency press release.