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On March 29, FTA announced an additional $1.4 billion in storm-related reimbursements through the Fiscal Year 2013 Disaster Relief Appropriations Act.
The majority of the funds goes to the four public transit agencies that incurred the greatest expenses while preparing for and recovering from Hurricane Sandy last year: the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corporation, New Jersey Transit Corporation, and New York City DOT. The remainder will be allocated to other public transit agencies that incurred eligible storm-related expenses but have not yet received funds.
“Considering that over a third of America’s transit riders use the systems most heavily damaged by Hurricane Sandy, it is imperative that we continue this rapid progress to restore these systems in the tri-state region,” said FTA Administrator Peter M. Rogoff.
Funding appropriated for the disaster relief effort totaled $10.9 billion, although sequestration cuts that took effect March 1 reduced that amount by $545 million.
FTA will use the remainder of the $10.9 billion for ongoing recovery efforts and to help public transit agencies become more resilient in the face of future storms and disasters. An Interim Final Rule for FTA’s Emergency Relief Program, published March 29 in the Federal Register, outlines general requirements that apply to all the funds allocated related to Sandy and future grants awarded under this program.
In addition to its portion of the $1.4 billion, New York City DOT also received a separate $21.9 million allocation as part of a consolidated request with other entities for various activities prior, during, and after the storm to protect the Staten Island Ferry, its equipment, and personnel, the East River Ferry service, and Governors Island, including the public island’s Battery Maritime Building ferry waiting room.
The remaining $422,895 is being disbursed as follows: Greater Bridgeport Transit District, Bridgeport, CT, $21,783; Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, Boston, $344,311; Rhode Island Public Transit Authority, Providence, $1,179; and Connecticut DOT, $55,622 just for Connecticut Transit bus-related expenses. FTA previously allocated $2.8 million to MTA Metro-North Railroad for commuter rail service serving southwestern Connecticut.
More information is available here. |
