The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration announced today a $3.5 Million grant for the Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority (PDRTA), in Florence, SC, as part of the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security ACT), signed by President Trump on March 27, 2020.
The PDRTA will use the grant proceeds towards operating costs, maintenance, administrative expenses, all necessary costs in operating during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
According to a release from the FTA:
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 continue to depend on them,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.
“We know 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 of all sizes providing essential travel and supporting transit workers across the country who are unable to work because of the public health emergency.”
In addition to the CARES Act funding, the FTA released a safety advisory, that prompts transit agencies to maintain public health policies and procedures, including face coverings and PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), cleaning, disinfection, social distancing, and other public health measures, consistent with guidance from the CDC and OSHA. The CARES Act grant can be used to offset these costs, as well.