41 replies to this topic

[CNJRoss]

USDOT/FTA news release

 

U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Increased Flexibility to Help Transit Agencies Respond to Coronavirus

 

3-13-2020

 

 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced that expanded eligibility of federal assistance is available under FTA’s Emergency Relief Program to help transit agencies respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19) in states where the Governor has declared an emergency. This includes allowing all transit providers, including those in large urban areas, to use federal formula funds for emergency-related capital and operating expenses, and raises the cap on the federal government’s share of those expenses.

 

"Today, I have issued a notice of concurrence with declarations of emergencies issued by Governors that relate to COVID-19. FTA grantees may now use their Urbanized Area and Rural formula funds to take measures to protect the health and safety of their riders and their workforce," said FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams. "Expansion of the permissible uses of federal funds will allow transit providers greater flexibility in the areas of the country that need it most. Invoking the eligibility of the Emergency Relief Program also provide funds at a higher federal share."

 

Today’s announcement allows all transit providers in states where the Governor has declared an emergency related to COVID-19 to use their federal formula funds for operating expenses in addition to capital expenses and permits operating expenses to be covered at an 80 percent federal share rather than 50 percent.

 

In addition to allowing the expanded use of formula funds for transit providers, FTA has established an Emergency Relief docket that allows transit providers in states where the Governor has declared an emergency related to COVID-19 to request temporary relief from Federal requirements under 49 U.S.C. Chapter 53 as well as any non-statutory FTA requirements.

 

The U.S. Department of Transportation is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other federal partners to provide guidance to the public transportation industry in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19). FTA recently held a conference call with transit stakeholders and posted Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on its web site.

 

 

 

[CNJRoss]

FTA email 4/8/20

FTA Posts New Web Content with Guidance Related to COVID-19

 

FTA is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other federal partners to provide guidance to the public transportation industry in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). This week, FTA posted a new set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding COVID-19 on its website that cover funding and program eligibility under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, funding under emergency relief program provisions, and civil rights.

 

The website also includes links to newly published guidance from the CDC relating to transit agency personnel, including recommendations for workplace preparedness and protection.

 

Links:
FTA COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act
FTA Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) landing page

 

[CNJRoss]

FTA email 4/10/20
 

FTA Publishes New COVID-19 FAQ on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

 

FTA continues to publish Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for the public transportation industry. Today, FTA published a new Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) regarding recommended transit workforce protections, including personal protective equipment (PPE) and social distancing practices.

 

Links:
FTA COVID-19 landing page
FTA COVID-19 FAQs

 

[CNJRoss]

FTA email 6/8/20

New COVID-19 Resource Tool for Public Transportation Available from FTA

 

FTA’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Resource Tool for Public Transportation provides a one-stop-shop for Federal COVID-19 guidance and recommendations, including information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

 

The tool covers topics related to the public transportation industry such as sanitizing transit facilities and vehicles, personal protective equipment, physical distancing, and more. FTA updates the tool weekly to include newly issued guidance and provides a summary tab highlighting the updates.

 

Links
FTA’s COVID-19 Resource Tool for Public Transportation
FTA’s COVID-19 Website

 

[CNJRoss]

FTA email 6/18/20
 

New FTA Frequently Asked Questions Related to COVID-19 Now Available

 

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other federal partners to provide guidance to the public transportation industry in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Today, FTA posted 29 new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding COVID-19 on its website that cover:

• Administrative Relief, including National Transit Database reporting requirements (AD6-AD17);
• Civil Rights (CR15-CR18);
• The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and Emergency Relief program questions (CE16-17, and an update to CE4); and
• FTA Drug and Alcohol Testing Requirements (DA1-DA10).

Links:
FTA’s COVID-19 website
FTA’s COVID-19 FAQs
CARES Act

 

[CNJRoss]

FTA email 10/5/20
 

FTA Announces Availability of $10 Million to Deploy Innovations that Help Transit Industry During COVID-19 Recovery

 

FTA today announced the availability of $10 million in grant funding through a new Public Transportation COVID-19 Research Demonstration Grant Program that will identify ways to make transit operations more efficient and improve mobility nationwide. The Public Transportation COVID-19 Research Demonstration Program will fund projects that demonstrate innovative solutions, such as:

• cleaning and disinfecting protocols for transit vehicles, facilities and equipment;
• effective exposure mitigation measures;
• contactless payment systems and other innovative mobility strategies; and
• measures that strengthen public confidence in transit services.

Apply by November 2, 2020.

Links:
Public Transportation COVID-19 Research Demonstration Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity
Public Transportation COVID-19 Research Demonstration Grant Program
Press Release

 

[CNJRoss]

Progressive Railroading,10/6/20
 

FTA announces COVID-19 research grant program

 

 

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) yesterday announced the availability of $10 million in funding through the new Public Transportation COVID-19 Research Demonstration Grant Program that will identify ways to make transit operations more efficient and improve mobility nationwide.

Continue here.

[CNJRoss]

10/14/20

New FTA Frequently Asked Questions Related to COVID-19 Now Available

 

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other Federal partners to provide guidance to the public transportation industry in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Today, FTA posted three new and revised two existing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding COVID-19 on its website that cover administrative relief and other funding sources.

 

The new and revised questions include:

New Administrative Relief: AD18, AD19, AD20
Revised Administrative Relief and Other Funding Sources: AD3, OF1

 

Links:
FTA’s COVID-19 website
FTA’s COVID-19 FAQs

 

 

[CNJRoss]

APTA press release

 

APTA Strongly Opposes Restrictive Project Eligibility Criteria for COVID-19 Transit Research Demonstration Grants

 

October 14, 2020

 

WASHINGTON, DC –  The American Public Transportation Association strongly opposes the inclusion of  restrictive project eligibility criteria in the federal grant opportunity for COVID-19 research funding for public transportation systems.

 

On Oct. 8, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to provide federal funding for COVID-19 research demonstration grants. The NOFO states that FTA will review and consider applications in accordance with the September 2, 2020 memorandum issued by the White House that restricts the eligibility for Federal funds based on the Administration’s decision that certain communities are “anarchist jurisdictions”. The Administration has determined that New York, NY, Portland, OR, and Seattle, WA are “anarchist jurisdictions”.

 

“These funds are critical for transit systems as they undertake extraordinary efforts to safeguard riders and employees, while facing unprecedented budgetary woes,” said Paul P. Skoutelas, APTA President and CEO. “It is inappropriate and unjustified that criteria would be considered to prohibit certain public transit systems from receiving critical funds to support their efforts to respond to COVID-19.”

 

“Just as public transit systems provide equal access to all residents, federal grants should be available to all public transit providers.”

 

Attached is a fact sheet on the Presidential Memorandum and NOFO. 

###

 

 

[CNJRoss]

DATED POST

Railway Age, 10/15/20

 

FTA: Zero COVID Research $$ for “Anarchist Jurisdictions”

 

The New York MTA, which is taking extraordinary measures to ensure passenger and employee safety during the pandemic, is among the agencies that may be targeted by the FTA for denial of COVID-19 research funding because the Trump Administration has declared New York City as permitting “anarchy, violence, and destruction.”

 

 

Will the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) restrict the eligibility of, or disfavor applications for, COVID-19 research demonstration grants if applicants are located in New York City; Portland, Ore.; or Seattle?

 

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has expressed concerns.

 

The Oct. 8 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the new $10 million Public Transportation COVID-19 Research Demonstration Grant Program states that FTA will review and consider applications in accordance with a Sept. 2, memorandum from President Trump, consistent with guidance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the U.S. Attorney General and with all applicable laws.

 

The memorandum directed the Attorney General and the OMB Director to review federal funding to state and local government recipients that are permitting “anarchy, violence, and destruction” in American cities.

 

Continue here.