July 31, 2020 | An APTA Publication

APTA and Industry Leaders Urge Congress to Provide Additional COVID-19 Relief Funding

On July 28, APTA and 10 public transit CEOs held a virtual press conference to urge Congress to provide at least $32 billion of additional COVID-19 emergency funding for public transit.

The previous day, the Senate and House began to negotiate what is likely to be the final COVID-19 package of 2020. After negotiations with the White House, Senate Republicans unveiled a series of bills that did not include additional emergency funding for public transportation. Click here to view S. 4320 and a summary of the Supplemental Appropriations bill.

 

“The transit industry has worked extremely hard to show customers that we are safe, clean and dedicated to our collective mission to provide mobility solutions for all, along with the goal of restoring confidence in public transit. The very confidence we are trying to strengthen will be completely undermined if the federal government does not prioritize the funding that is necessary to keep transit running safely now and during the recovery phase of this pandemic,” said Nuria I. Fernandez, APTA Chair, and General Manager and CEO of Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. “This funding is not a ‘nice to have’—it is fundamental to our survival.”

 

“As Congress begins the negotiations on the next emergency funding bill, we implore legislators to include public transit funding so that we can continue to be a lifeline for our essential workers and help our communities rebuild their economies in the wake of the pandemic,” said APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas. “It is imperative that agencies receive federal support so that they can survive and help our nation recover from the economic fallout of the coronavirus crisis.”

APTA is encouraging its members to contact their senators and representatives to strongly urge them to provide at least $32 billion in additional emergency funding to offset transit agencies’ increased costs and revenue losses.

 

Also this week, Democratic Reps. Jesús “Chuy” García (IL), Gwen Moore (WI), Jerrold Nadler (NY), and Mark Takano (CA) led 106 Members of Congress in urging congressional leadership to support public transportation agencies, including their workers, in the next relief package. They stated their support for APTA’s funding request.
 
A copy of the letter can be found  here.

FTA Announces $225 Million for Transit Pilot Program

FTA announced July 29 the availability of $225 million in grant funding through the Expedited Project Delivery Pilot Program; $100 million of the grant funding is currently available for allocation. The program aims to achieve faster delivery of new transit capital projects. A Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) appears in the Federal Register.

 

“This innovative pilot program will expedite transportation infrastructure projects in several communities around the country,” said US Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao.

 

“By encouraging innovative partnerships and funding from a variety of sources, projects can be completed more quickly, making better use of taxpayer dollars, and bringing new transit service to growing communities,” said FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams.

FTA Announces $47.5 Million in Grant Awards to Improve Passenger Ferry Service

 

FTA announced approximately $47.5 million in grant awards to select projects nationwide to improve passenger ferry service. The grants will fund projects to purchase, replace, or rehabilitate passenger ferries, terminals, and related infrastructure and equipment. A total of 12 projects in 12 states will receive funding.

 

“This $47.5 million in federal funding will improve mobility and enhance safety for passenger ferry services across our nation,” said Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

 

“Passenger ferries are an important mode of transportation across the country, providing thousands of people with access to employment, education, and other critical needs,” said FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams.

APTA Announces Coalition Grant Program Deadline

 

Grassroots organizing and the broader work of local coalitions can make the difference when communities seek to protect and expand public transportation service. APTA provides grants to help advocate for public transportation. Any local public transportation coalition is eligible, provided it has the support of the local APTA public transit system member(s) and makes a pledge to become a member in good standing of the National Alliance of Public Transportation Advocates (NAPTA) before receiving a grant. Membership in NAPTA is free. Applications are due by August 21.

Classifieds

See the latest industry employment opportunities, proposals and notices.

APTA Releases New COVID-19 Resource

 

APTA, in conjunction with the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA), and FTA have released a new resource—the COVID-19 Recovery Vendor List for Public Transportation. The list consists of more than 65 APTA business members and EXPO vendors that supply COVID-19-related products. The products include personal protective equipment such as face shields/masks, testing kits, hand sanitizer, bus and rail barriers/shields, disinfectants, and more. The list includes guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other federal agencies and is posted on APTA’s COVID-19 response website.

 

The document also includes links to additional resources, such as the Environmental Protection Agency’s List N of products that can be used to combat against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

 

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