NJ Transit awarded $1.4 billion in CARES Act funding
A NJ Transit bus driver is seen wearing a mask on April 27, 2020 in Jersey City, New Jersey. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
NEW JERSEY - New Jersey Transit will receive $1.4 billion in federal funding to keep operations moving, announced President Donald Trump on Friday.
The transit system, which transports people between New York and New Jersey, has seen ridership plunge since the stay-at-home order in mid-March.
Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order directing the agency and all private carriers to cut capacity on all trains, buses light rail vehicles, and paratransit vehicles to 50 percent in order to fight the spread of coronavirus. In reality, ridership has dropped as much as 90-percent. That has made it impossible for ticket revenue to cover operating costs.
The President took to Twitter to announce the funding.
“I am proud to announce that @NJTransit will receive $1.4B in CARES Act funding to assist in their continued operations and to keep people moving in the NY/NJ area! The LARGEST single Federal transit grant to New Jersey Transit ever. Together, we will prevail!”
The historic $2 trillion CARES Act passed in late March provides economic assistance to American workers and families, small businesses, and is aimed at preserving jobs for American industries.