New York, New Jersey and Connecticut leaders have reached an agreement concerning allocation of the emergency relief funds provided to transit providers in the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) and the American Rescue Plan Act.
The nearly $14 billion in relief was provided by the federal government to help transit providers ease the financial burden caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont agreed New York will receive approximately $10.85 billion of the funding to support the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New Jersey will receive $2.66 billion to support New Jersey Transit and Connecticut will receive $474 million to support the Connecticut Department of Transportation.
"The New York City and tristate region can't fully recover from the pandemic without our transit agencies effectively and efficiently moving millions of people in and out of New York City each day. As a result of a series of productive conversations with my fellow governors, I'm glad that we have reached an agreement that is beneficial to all," said Gov. Hochul.
The state leaders explain the funding provided to the region in the two relief bills recognizes that the tristate area was among the hardest hit by the pandemic and the resources provided are necessary for the nation's largest subway, commuter rail and bus services located in these states to avoid layoffs, furloughs and severe service reductions.
"Nothing is more critical to our region's economic recovery than our mass transportation system. With this agreement, we ensure a reliable and safe commute as workers return to their offices," said Gov. Murphy said.
The governors say transit agencies ensured essential workers could be where they were needed most, and this funding will help support their longer-term recovery and sustainability.
"The agreement reached tonight by Connecticut, New York and New Jersey is great news for our region," Gov. Lamont said. "It ensures critical federal funding is now available to support the recovery of our states' public transportation systems that suffered tremendous financial losses resulting from the pandemic.”
