USDoT rolls out $25bn coronavirus response

The US Department of Transportation (USDoT) is rolling out $25 billion in funding for public transit services, which have been hit hard by Covid-19.
By Adam Hill April 14, 2020 Read time: 1 min
USDoT hopes the cash injection will protect transit services (© Photovs | Dreamstime.com)

It is also giving $1 billion in federal emergency assistance to passenger railway service Amtrak.

The department’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is allocating the money from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (Cares) Act.

“This historic $25 billion in grant funding will ensure our nation’s public transportation systems can continue to provide services to the millions of Americans who depend on them,” said US transportation secretary Elaine L. Chao.

It will be split between urban areas ($22.7bn) and  rural ($2.2) and can be used to support programmes and expenses around the prevention, preparation and response to the pandemic.

“We know that many of our nation’s public transportation systems are facing extraordinary challenges and these funds will go a long way to assisting our transit industry partners in battling Covid-19,” said FTA acting administrator K. Jane Williams.

“These Federal funds will support operating assistance to transit agencies, including those in large urban areas as well as pay transit workers across the country not working because of the public health emergency.” 

Mass Transit & MaaS

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Trump unveils U.S. infrastructure investment
    February 13, 2018
    U.S. president Donald Trump has announced that he wants Congress to approve $200bn (£144bn) bill, which he said will stimulate another $1.3tn (£9bn) in improvements as part of his plan to fix the country’s infrastructure. One intention of the proposal is to eliminate regulatory barriers and offer more flexibility to transportation projects that are currently required to seek Federal review and approval. $100bn (£72bn) of the proposed bill will create an Incentives Program to spur additional dedicated fund
    Read More
  • Covid-19 and transportation: Maintaining critical operations in times of crisis
    September 12, 2020

     

    What were the major impacts of Covid-19 on transportation?

    At the peak of the shutdowns, passenger use of airports and mass transit was down 90 per cent. Use of roads by private vehicles was 60 per cent lower and use of commercial vehicles was down 10 per cent. Public transit was down 76 per cent and had to keep operating to get essential workers to their places of employment.

    Read More
  • US business leaders discuss concerns over transportation funding
    July 11, 2014
    US business leaders briefed Vice President Joe Biden and US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx yesterday on business issues associated with transportation infrastructure during a meeting hosted by the White House Business Council and Business Forward. Meeting participants included executives from large manufacturers, shipping companies, trade associations, and a range of other businesses, including Doug Oberhelman, chairman and CEO, Caterpillar, and Matt Rose, executive chairman, Burlington Northern S
    Read More
  • US DOT announces funding opportunity to improve transit bus service
    July 14, 2017
    The US Department of Transportation’s (US DOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced approximately US$226.5 million in competitive grant funding for transit bus projects nationwide.
    Read More

Highlighted Content