HARTFORD—Today, U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representatives John Larson (D-1), Joe Courtney (D-2), Rosa DeLauro (D-3), Jim Himes (D-4), and Jahana Hayes (D-5) with Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) Commissioner Joe Giulietti announced the state has been awarded $224.3 in federal COVID-19 funding from the Federal Transit Administration to help cover expenses – operations, maintenance, personal protective equipment – for Connecticut rail and bus operations.

“As we continue to recover from the public health emergency, maintaining the health and safety of our public transit system must remain a top priority. The COVID-19 pandemic has critically impacted Connecticut, and federal investment in our state’s comprehensive response is essential,” said the delegation. “We will continue to fight for federal funding to ensure that we are continuously investing in Connecticut’s recovery from the pandemic.” 

“This is very welcome news, and I thank our federal congressional delegation for their support in securing this funding, and our partners at the Federal Transit Administration for their rapid review and award of these funds,” said CTDOT Commissioner Joe Giulietti. “Our trains and buses continue to operate around Connecticut, and this funding will help ensure we can continue this essential service during this critical and challenging time.”

Under the recently passed “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” (the CARES Act), funding is provided to urban and rural public transit systems for operating expenses that occurred on or after January 20. In general, operating expenses are those costs necessary to operate, maintain, and manage a public transportation system. Examples of these expenses include driver salaries, fuel, and items having a useful life of less than one year, such as personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies.

Of the $224.3 million, $150 million will be earmarked for New Haven Line, New Canaan Line, Danbury Line and Waterbury Line, $6 million for Shore Line East; $50 million for CTtransit, CTtransit express, and CTfastrak services statewide and $10.1 for rural transit services within the state.  Additionally, $8.2 million has been awarded for bus transit districts statewide with an additional $19.2 million in pending awards for the transit districts.

The state will be applying for additional funding totaling about $244 million later this year.

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