U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced Thursday that she is cosponsoring a bill that would provide emergency relief funding to motorcoach companies, school bus companies, ferries, and other transportation providers negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services (CERTS) Act of 2020 would provide $10 billion in grants to those companies to save jobs and stabilize essential transportation links, Gillibrand said.
“Vital transportation providers across New York desperately need federal aid to continue to operate and serve the traveling public. New York’s bus, motorcoach, and ferry operators not only provide good-paying jobs, but also offer important services to travelers, students, and families who rely on transportation service providers to get to school and commute to work, and in the best of times, travel and enjoy summer activities,” Gillibrand said. “I will continue fighting to secure emergency economic relief funding for transportation service providers who are essential to our state’s recovery.”
New York transportation service providers have reported massive losses due to the pandemic. The shutdown of businesses and activities that draw travelers to the state has resulted in ferry companies losing revenue, and will negatively impact passenger levels for months to come, the senator said.
For those continuing to operate, additional operating costs to adhere to public health recommendations for social distancing, cleaning, and the use of personal protective equipment will add to the industries’ already high overhead, she said.