U.S. public transit agencies on Wednesday asked Congress to give them $36 billion in emergency federal funding as part of a new COVID-19 pandemic relief bill.
The agencies said the $25 billion they received from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act in March is nearly exhausted and more funding is needed to help agencies continue providing passenger-rail and other transit services.
The Senate will return to session next week and the House has already earmarked $15.7 million for public transportation in its HEROES Act.
Although that legislation is before the Senate, Republican Senators have rejected the bill and are divided on how much to spend on additional COVID-19 relief funding.
The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority are among the agencies in the coalition seeking the additional funding.
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