The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) announced its support Thursday of more than $30 billion in emergency public transit funding being included as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
In a statement, APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas said his organization strongly supports the plan that would provide funding for transit agencies struggling to survive during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Based on an independent economic analysis of COVID-19 impacts on public transit funding needs, APTA estimates that public transit agencies face $39.3 billion of additional costs and revenue losses, in addition to the emergency public transit funding provided in 2020,” Skoutelas said. “Given these immense needs, we applaud the inclusion of $30.5 billion of emergency public transit funding provided in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. We also greatly appreciate that the bill distributes these funds in a manner that ensures that all public transit agencies can continue to be a lifeline for our essential workers, ensure Americans can get to vaccine distribution sites, and advance our communities’ efforts to rebuild from the economic fallout of the pandemic.”
The plan, set for a vote by the House on Feb. 26, also includes $1.5 billion for Amtrak.
The bill contains $50 million for grants addressing mobility for seniors and people with disabilities, $100 million for non-urbanized intercity bus programs, $25 million for planning grants, and $2.21 billion for operations grants. The $1.5 billion for Amtrak includes $820 million for Northeast Corridor grants and $680 million for National Network grants.