Arizona’s transit industry will get more than $107 million in emergency funds provided by the most recent COVID-19 relief package—a priority for Rep. Greg Stanton who serves on the House Transportation Committee. The Phoenix-Mesa Urbanized Area—which Stanton represents—will receive $85,260,499 in funds for local transit systems, and an additional $756,544 to organizations that help meet the transportation needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities.
“Arizonans rely on transit to get to work, access health care and other essential services. These critical funds will be put to work right away to ensure that transit services remain safe and available for riders, and to keep transit workers on payroll,” said Stanton.
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, a $900 billion package, included $14 billion total in emergency relief for transit. These funds can be used to support continuing operations and replace lost revenue resulting from the sharp decline in ridership during the COVID-19 pandemic and is provided at a 100-percent federal cost share, with no local match required.
Yesterday’s funding announcement from the Federal Transit Administration also included $3,351,939 for tribal transit systems, and $17,846,964 for Tucson’s transit systems—with an additional $160,892 for organizations in Tucson to meet the transportation needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities. The State also received funds to support enhanced mobility for those populations: $224,618 for urban areas and $161,244 for areas with a population of less than 50,000.
A full breakdown of all funds awarded to support Arizona’s transit industry is available here.