FTA allocates billions in ARP funds for transit service

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) yesterday announced it will award $2.2 billion in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding to 35 recipients in 18 states.

The funds will be used to help transit agencies pay for day-to-day operations, cleaning and sanitization on transit systems and retaining employees, FTA officials said in a press release.

The ARP included $30.5 billion in federal funding to support the nation's public transportation systems as they continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. With this announcement, 99% of this funding has been allocated to support continued public transit operations and the continuity of transit projects. The final remaining allocation of $25 million in planning grants will be announced soon, FTA officials said.

The recipients that provide rail service and their grant awards announced yesterday include:
• Metropolitan Transportation Authority, $769.2 million;
• Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, $137.4 million;
• Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, $120.1 million;
• Chicago Transit Authority, $118.4 million;
• Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, $96 million;
• Regional Transportation District-Denver, $53.2 million;
• Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, which operates Caltrain, $38.8 million; and
• Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District in California, $7.47 million.