Mass Transit Grants in the CARES Act
The CARES Act, signed into law on March 27
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, includes $25 billion for public transit formula operating and capital grants to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will distribute the transit funds proportionally based on the ratio of FY 2020 funding of four specific programs: urbanized area formula grants; rural area formula grants; state-of-good-repair (SOGR) formula grants; and growing/high-density states formula grants.
The CARES Act provides almost three times (280 percent) the FY 2020 appropriations for each of these programs. See APTA’s breakdown of the funds below:
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CARES Act funds are only eligible for grants to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19. Grants are to be “available for the operating expenses of transit agencies related to the response to a coronavirus public health emergency…beginning on January 20, 2020, reimbursement for operating costs to maintain service and lost revenue due to the coronavirus public health emergency, including the purchase of personal protective equipment, and paying the administrative leave of operations personnel due to reductions in service…” The grants carry a 100 percent federal cost share.
The bill requires the FTA to apportion these funds (using FY 2020 apportionment formulas) within seven days of the date of enactment. While the grants could be used for capital programs or operating costs, the Eno Center for Transportation expects that almost all of the $25 billion will go towards operating costs to make up for lost farebox and dedicated tax revenues.
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Mass Transit Magazine - March 30, 2020
"We understand that many transit agencies are experiencing disruptions to normal operating procedures and, as a result, some potential applicants to FTA’s grant programs may not be able to submit timely applications to FTA’s Notices of Funding Opportunity," Secretary Chao said. The 30-day extension applies to grant programs currently administered by FTA with active notices of funding opportunities (NOFOs).
Mead and Hunt – March 30, 2020
By assuming a one-size-fits-all user, we perpetuate inequities in trip demand, and we put those who don’t fit the mold at risk. It is imperative that we think very intentionally about the users of the systems we design: who they are, the way they interact with the world, the way the world interacts with them, and the things they have to do every day to take care of themselves and their families. Not just during Women’s History Month (or Black History Month) but every day.
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The New York Times – March 30, 2020
It is a striking turnabout for a system that has long been the great equalizer, a space where hourly workers jostled alongside financial executives. Now the subway has become more of a symbol of the city’s inequality, amplifying the divide between those with the means to safely shelter at home and those who must continue braving public transit to preserve meager livelihoods.
Mass Transit Magazine – March 31, 2020
The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is continuing work to improve its system and rebuild aging infrastructure during the coronavirus pandemic. BART crews have been coming to work to continue their capital projects. With extremely low ridership and new 9:00 pm service closure, capital workers are taking full advantage to make progress.
SFGate – March 31, 2020
For $5.6 billion, the Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority wants to build the world's biggest subway tunnel to ferry passengers into the yet-to-be-built downtown San Jose BART stations. VTA is calling for a 56-foot-wide tunnel-boring machine to carve out a roughly five-mile long subway line into downtown San Jose. The plan, as of now, would utilize the single-bore method favored in some European countries instead of the traditional cut-and-cover method of subway implementation. Theoretically, single-bore is preferable to cut-and-cover; cut-and-cover requires tearing up streets, whereas single-bore allows life to proceed with relatively little interference.
CBS Minnesota - March 31, 2020
Metro Transit recently reduced its services by 40% amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Now the public transportation operator is focusing some of its remaining resources to serve those most in need. Homeless shelters across the state continue to adapt amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but now Metro Transit is taking charge as well; its drivers will transport unsheltered individuals to hotels where they can be better protected from disease.
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World Economic Forum – March 27, 2020
Beyond a new spending budget similar to that just announced in the UK, the three causes of the infrastructure sector’s systemic problems must be addressed: inefficient decision-making processes at the municipality and state level, a lack of authority to execute projects due to over distributed authority and the high cost of construction resulting from old inefficient business practices.
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Building Transportation Infrastructure
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Los Angeles Times – March 25, 2020
If the chips fall the right way, the $4.8-billion project should have full funding for a 170-mile line along Interstate 15 and start construction later this year with trains running by 2023, the company told The Times.
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Railway Age – March 28, 2020
The masks, the MTA said, have been secured through New York State health authorities for distribution to New York City Transit, Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad, Staten Island Railway and MTA Bus workers. The supply “is expected to increase allowing weekly replenishment,” MTA said on March 27. “The distribution plan is being finalized. Medical guidance continues to be that masks are not recommended as protection against COVID-19. However, masks will be made available to employees who choose to wear them. Personal protective equipment, including masks, continues to be mandatory for certain positions and duties across the agency, and will continue to be provided in these instances. For other employees, this equipment will be distributed to employees as it is made available at this time, and in accordance with the plans to be developed by the agencies, as there is a nationwide shortage of masks.”
The American Prospect – March 31, 2020
Across America, workers compelled to work in dangerous conditions or in close contact with individuals who may be carriers of the coronavirus are protesting. On Monday, Instacart workers in multiple cities walked off the job demanding safety gear, sick leave benefits, and higher pay. They joined a diverse collection of transit, grocery, warehouse, and sanitation workers who’ve all taken job actions to pressure their employers to adopt measures that protect them from the hazards the pandemic presents.
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Hechinger Report – March 13, 2020
Though the likelihood of the bill becoming law isn’t strong right now, the draft bill, and a recent Congressional hearing for it, speak to a larger message being heard more often these days: Think less about getting an expensive four-year degree and instead pick up a trade. And this message is one worth considering, labor market experts say.
Tech Republic – March 18, 2020
Wyman's advice to employers is that "the coming weeks and months could be the best window of opportunity this decade to bring in talented people through apprenticeship programs who can be skilled up and ready when the economy turns around." It is important to consider the workforce expansion opportunities that will come from COVID-19, which will lead to a need for more modern apprenticeship programs, Wyman added. For example, there is likely to be an increase in health and human services employment, "and we can expect governments worldwide to reorient their thinking about the role and scope of government services," he said.
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