WASHINGTON (July 27, 2020) – “The series of COVID-19 bills released this evening ignores the dire situation facing the public transportation industry and the vital role public transit has played during the pandemic.

Public transit agencies need additional funding to continue to provide essential services throughout the crisis and play an indispensable role in America’s economic recovery from COVID-19. These funds will help offset the extraordinary direct costs and revenue losses that public transit agencies continue to suffer as a result of the pandemic, and help these agencies continue to avoid layoffs of this critical workforce.

Ignoring the essential role public transit has played during these past four months harms communities and the essential employees keeping this country moving during a pandemic. As this process moves forward, I urge Congressional leaders and the Administration to include at least $32 billion in the final emergency funding package for our nation’s public transit industry.”

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The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) is a nonprofit international association of 1,500 public and private sector organizations which represent a $74 billion industry that directly employs 435,000 people and supports millions of private sector jobs. APTA members are engaged in the areas of bus, paratransit, light rail, commuter rail, subways, waterborne services, and intercity and high-speed passenger rail. This includes: transit systems; planning, design, construction, and finance firms; product and service providers; academic institutions; transit associations and state departments of transportation. APTA is the only association in North America that represents all modes of public transportation. APTA members serve the public interest by providing safe, efficient and economical transit services and products.