Metro Transit-St. Louis to receive $142 million in CARES funding

Rail News Home Federal Legislation & Regulation 6/3/2020 Rail News: Federal Legislation & Regulation
The grant will support Metro Transit-St. Louis' operational costs and enhanced cleaning efforts.Photo – Metro Transit-St. Louis

The Federal Transit Administration awarded Bi-State Development a $142.4 million grant to fund Metro Transit-St. Louis’ light-rail and bus service during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The grant — awarded as part of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act — will support Metro Transit-St. Louis' operational costs, enhanced cleaning of vehicles and stations, and purchase of personal protective equipment.

“This funding will ... ensure we can continue to provide our transit operators and front-line staff with the tools and resources they need to keep themselves and our riders safe,” said Bi-State Development President and Chief Executive Officer Taulby Roach in a press release.

Metro Transit-St. Louis' ridership is down by more than 50 percent and local sales tax revenues that support public transit are anticipated to be 20 percent lower over the new fiscal year, which begins July 1, Bi-State officials said.