APTA urges FEMA to reverse policy on transit agencies' pandemic reimbursements

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to reverse an interim policy related to the COVID-19 pandemic that eliminates the ability of public transit agencies to seek reimbursement for purchasing disinfectants, personal protective equipment and similar related costs.

In a letter to FEMA sent last week, APTA President and Chief Executive Officer Paul Skoutelas wrote that, given transit agencies' enormous budget shortfalls related to the pandemic, "transit agencies cannot afford a change in policy that burdens them with additional costs related to COVID-19."

FEMA's new interim policy, which took effect Sept. 15, eliminated the transit agencies ability to claim the expenses under FEMA's Public Assistance program.

"The safety and health of essential workers remains the top priority for our industry," Skoutelas wrote. "To combat the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the safety of their employees, customers and systems, public transit agencies have adopted rigorous cleaning regimes and safety protocols. With the new interim policy, public transit agencies are being denied access to critical funds to offset the enormous costs to help them in the fight against COVID-19."

Skoutelas also noted that members of Congress are working to reverse the FEMA policy. On Sept. 30, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed the FEMA Assistance Relief Act (H.R. 8266), which clarifies that transit agencies are eligible for FEMA assistance. Moreover, the House on Oct. 1 passed the Heroes Act (H.R. 925), which contains the same provision, he wrote.