The Commonwealth Transportation Board yesterday approved the allocation of nearly $100 million of the $456 million in federal public transportation relief funding apportioned to Virginia under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The stimulus funds will enable local governments, small urban and rural transit agencies in Virginia to continue essential services and offset revenue losses related to the prevention, preparation, and response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The board amended Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation’s (DRPT) Fiscal-Year 2020-2025 Six Year Improvement Program to reflect the nearly $100 million in discretionary funding. The CARES Act funding comes in addition to the $11 million in emergency statewide operating funding that the CTB approved last month. That funding also helps Virginia public transit agencies to offset revenue and ridership losses and provide essential trips fare-free, DRPT officials said in a press release.
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