FTA announces additional American Rescue Plan funding for transit agencies

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced the availability of $2.2 billion in competitive grant funding for transit systems demonstrating additional pandemic-associated needs.

Funding is provided by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which was signed into law by President Biden on March 11, 2021, according to a press release from FTA.

Additional Assistance Funding may be awarded to transit systems where additional assistance is needed to cover operating expenses related to maintaining day-to-day operations, cleaning and sanitization, combating the spread of pathogens on transit systems, and maintaining critical staffing levels.

FTA will review applications based on the level of financial need, including projections of future financial need to maintain service as a percentage of the 2018 operating costs. Funding that is requested by an eligible applicant must not have been replaced by funding made available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) of 2021, and other ARP funding.

“The Additional Assistance Funding will support transit agencies demonstrating a continuing need for assistance in maintaining daily operations,” FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez said in a statement. “Public transportation connects people to jobs, education and vital services, and this program will help transit agencies continue to provide critical transit services in communities that need it most.”

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SOURCE: Federal Transit Administration