Gov. Andy Beshear announced this week that the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has been awarded nearly $22.9 million for relief of public transit agencies that have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The funding is from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and is provided by the CARES Act. KYTC will distribute the funding in grants to 17 public transit agencies across Kentucky.
“Public transit agencies and their employees are a lifeline to thousands of Kentuckians who depend on them for daily transportation,” Gov. Beshear said in a statement. “For those Kentuckians, the bus service is how they get to doctor appointments, the grocery and other essential locations.”
Kentucky Transportation Secretary Jim Gray noted that public transit agencies have lost ridership because of the pandemic and have experienced much employee time lost to illness. “These agencies are struggling financially, and this funding is sorely needed to keep services running and our people protected,” Secretary Gray said.
The CARES Act was enacted by the U.S. Congress to stimulate the economy while much of the nation’s workforce stays healthy at home.
The newly announced grant is for $22.9 million. The funding will sustain the transit agencies by covering some operational expenses, including administrative leave for employees forced to self-isolate because of exposure to people infected with COVID-19.
Other eligible expenses include purchases of fuel and procurement of personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves, disinfectant wipes, disinfection services, and protective barriers between drivers and passengers.
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SOURCE: Commonwealth of Kentucky