Kentucky Gov. Beshear announces $6.4M in CARES funding for public transit

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Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced Wednesday that his state’s Transportation Cabinet was awarded more than $6.4 million in CARES Act funding for public transit agencies.

The funding from the Federal Transit Administration will be given to transit agencies for operational expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic. KYTC will distribute the grants to 16 public transit agencies serving 79 counties across Kentucky. Funds will be spent to cover security and disinfection equipment, electronic ticketing, office equipment and supplies, and transit vehicles, among other things.

“Thousands of our fellow Kentuckians depend on public transit for daily transportation. It’s how they get to doctor appointments, jobs, the grocery, and other essential locations,” Gov. Beshear said. “These transit agencies and their employees are on the front line in our battle against COVID-19.”

While public transit agencies across the state have lost ridership, Transportation Secretary Jim Gray said, it was still a vital part of the state’s infrastructure.

“These agencies are struggling financially, and this funding is sorely needed to keep services running and our people protected,” Gray said.

The CARES Act was enacted by Congress to stimulate the economy in May. This new $6,413,177 in funding is in addition to $22.9 million in funding the state received in May.

Agencies receiving funding are located throughout the state, including Blue Grass Community Action Partnership which serves the central Kentucky counties of Anderson, Boyle, Casey, Franklin, Garrard, Jessamine, Lincoln, Mercer, Scott, Washington, Woodford received $1,331,854; while the more rural Northeast KY Community Action Agency serving Carter, Boyd, Elliott, Greenup, and Lawrence counties received only $25,000.