Grant Funding Available

We know you want to keep transit operations running smoothly, but COVID-19 has caused a massive disruption for transit agencies across the nation. Driver absenteeism is up and ridership is down; but transit remains essential as states begin to open. To help agencies cover operational costs and also “prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19,” Congress approved $25 billion in funding for mass transit as part of the CARES Act.

One way transit organizations can increase ridership and decrease driver absenteeism is by using the CARES Act grant funding for protective equipment to keep drivers and passengers safe and healthy. At Coach & Equipment, we’ve developed a new device called the Driver Protective Barrier that is recommended by the CDC for transit administrators to install because it prevents the spread of pathogens between passengers and the driver. It also gives the driver the peace of mind he needs to come to work. Click here for a demonstration of how this product works. Because the Driver Protective Barrier responds directly to current health concerns, this new product is an excellent candidate for valuable grant funding.

The CARES Act grant is 100% federally funded, which means your organization doesn’t have to pay a local match. In addition, organizations are not limited to a certain number of grant funds as long as the funds are used for expenses incurred because of COVID-19 or operating expenses incurred beginning on January 20, 2020.

Contact the state agency you receive federal funds from to learn if your organization qualifies for the CARES Act grant, or you can apply for grant funds using the FTA’s Transit Award Management System (TrAMS). For more guidance on what to submit with the application, click here and look for “V. Transit Infrastructure Grants,” and then review at “D. Grant Application Procedures.” You can also visit the FTA’s website for answers to common questions or contact your region’s FTA office for more information about the CARES Act grant.