The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has requested $35.7 million in emergency federal funding to help with operating expenses and other needs to help rural transit providers recoup lost revenues during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The grant application will be for a portion of the $25 billion allocated for public transportation through the Federal Transit Administration that was part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act stipulated that $2.2 billion of that money would go to programs in rural areas, and go toward operating and capital expenses and expenses related to preparing for, preventing, and responding to COVID-19.
ADOT Transit works with public transportation providers across the state by administering the Section 5311 Formula Grants for Rural Areas. In this capacity, ADOT will oversee the $35.7 million in CARES Act money for the 22 public transportation providers serving rural Arizona.
An additional $6 million will be allocated for direct federal funding to five tribal communities.
ADOT hopes to make funds available to our Section 5311 sub-recipients by late April or early May.