Today, Congressman David Scott (GA-13) announced the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $347,692,215 for public transit systems serving both the Thirteenth Congressional District and metro Atlanta region to mitigate losses sustained during the COVID-19 crisis. The federal funding was provided under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which Scott strongly supported in Congress and was signed into law on March 27, 2020.
The CARES Act provided $25 billion in funding to support mass public transit nationwide. Funding awarded to public transit systems serving the Thirteenth District will support operational expenses associated with impacts of COVID-19, including maintenance services, pandemic related losses, personal protective equipment purchases, and personnel payments.
“We must ensure that during the COVID-19 pandemic that all of our essential workers maintain access to our essential transportation infrastructure,” said Congressman Scott. “Many Georgians rely on public transportation to get to work, get their groceries, and to complete other essential services. We cannot allow our response to this emergency to exclude these Georgians. I’m proud that the CARES Act is making sure that public transit will continue to have the funding it needs to provide safe, effective, and timely transportation in Georgia’s Thirteenth District.”
CARES Act grants awarded for public transit systems serving the Thirteenth District include:
- Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) services in Fulton and Clayton Counties – $298,641,024 for light rail and bus operations.
- Cobb County Transit – $18,039,756.
- Henry County Transit – $2,755,867.
- Douglas County Transit – $2,523,816.
- Xpress Regional Commuter Coach Service – $25,731,752.
