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After negotiations, the states agreed that approximately $10.85 billion of the funding will be for New York’s public transportation system.
By Michael V. Cusenza
Governors Kathy Hochul (NY), Phil Murphy (NJ), and Ned Lamont (Conn.) on Tuesday announced an agreement on the suballocations of extraordinary federal emergency relief funding apportioned to the region by Congress to mitigate the historic pandemic-related losses in transit system ridership and revenues.
After negotiations, the states agreed that approximately $10.85 billion of the funding will be for New York, $2.66 billion will be for New Jersey, and $474 million will be for Connecticut.
Photo Courtesy of Marc Hermann/MTA
“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,” Gov. Hochul said.
This funding, provided from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act, recognizes that the tristate area was among the hardest hit by the pandemic and provides the resources necessary for the nation’s largest subway, commuter rail and bus services located in these states to avoid layoffs, furloughs, and severe service reductions. These transit agencies ensured essential workers could be where they were needed most, and this funding will help support their longer-term recovery and sustainability.
“I want to thank President Biden, Senate Majority Leader Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, and Speaker Pelosi for securing this much-needed transportation funding,” Hochul said. “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.”
Riders Alliance Policy and Communications Director Danny Pearlstein added, “Thanks to the tireless efforts of Senator Schumer and our Congressional delegation, the bipartisan infrastructure deal includes more than $10 billion to fix the subway and expand train service in areas like East Harlem and the East Bronx. Once President Biden signs the bill, riders will look to Gov. Hochul to stop MTA service cuts that, while lengthening millions of commutes, could prevent New York from accessing badly needed federal infrastructure dollars. Meanwhile, we eagerly await passage of the Build Back Better Act, with its $10 billion to improve access to transit in low-income communities, which would mark a historic advance toward transportation equity.”
