BART, Hampton Roads transit agency to receive millions in ARP funds

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) in San Francisco will receive $270 million and the Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads (TDCHR) in Virginia will receive $52.7 million in federal funding under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP).

The U.S. Department of Transportation has been awarding funding under ARP to transit systems that demonstrate a need for additional financial assistance to cover operating expenses, cleaning and sanitization and staffing related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The pandemic has made clear our operating funding model of relying so heavily on riders is outdated and hampers our efforts to provide equitable service, especially for low-income riders and marginalized communities," said BART General Manager Bob Powers in a press release.

BART is receiving the second-highest amount in the country.

"This funding will enable Hampton Roads Transit to execute the board’s multi-year strategy of providing critical transit services to support the recovery and resilience of the regional economy," said TDCHR President and CEO William Harrell in a press release issued by U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-Va.).