Rep. Cartwright Welcomes Cares Act Public Transit Relief Funding Coming to Nepa

Press Release

U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) today applauded progress on the distribution of federal transit relief funds in northeastern Pennsylvania from H.R. 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was signed into law on March 27.

Federal supplemental funding targeted to urban areas will send over $16.5 million to Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties for transit (bus) operations, including funds to pay employees during the coronavirus pandemic. Funds may be used to maintain transit services during this period of reduced revenues and to fund administrative leave for transit personnel while ridership is reduced.

"The coronavirus public health emergency requires both a strong health care and economic response," said Rep. Cartwright. "This federal support for our public transit agencies across northeastern Pennsylvania will help them keep their employees on payroll, and make sure they are there for those that need them now and in the future."

The CARES Act also included emergency federal funds for rural transit agencies. PennDOT will receive the rural allocation from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and is working with smaller agencies in the Commonwealth to distribute the emergency assistance based on population and need. Pennsylvania will receive a total of slightly over $80 million for transit agencies in rural areas/counties (i.e. service areas under 50,000 in population).

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