The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) has received a grant for more than $21 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The grant funds will be distributed among public transit providers statewide in rural and urban areas and aid AOT in deploying transportation resources to Vermonters.
“This grant money arrives in Vermont just in time to provide needed financial relief to our many transit providers around the state,” said AOT Public Transit Manager Ross MacDonald. “This has been an unprecedented and difficult time for public transit. Drivers have shown courage and flexibility in navigating a serious and complex situation to continue providing essential public transportation options to Vermonters.”
FTA CARES Act funding will aid in covering provision of public transit services, including providing rides to doctors’ visits, connecting Vermonters with their jobs, and trips for groceries and pharmacy goods. Additionally, the grant will cover cleaning supplies, masks for staff, and other supplies critical for keeping public transportation travel as safe as possible.
“This funding will not only enable transit providers throughout Vermont to continue service to the most vulnerable, but it also ensures a funding mechanism during the long recovery period anticipated in the months following the Covid-19infection peak in our state,” said Transportation Secretary Joe Flynn.
The grant money will be available until expended to cover Covid-19 eligible expenses. The agency anticipates funding to cover costs through June 30, 2021.
