Third Way Is Pleased To See Congress Provide $14 Billion In Emergency Funds For Transit Agencies In The New COVID-19 Relief Bill

WASHINGTON – Third Way released the following statement on the transit funding included in the recent COVID-19 relief bill from Josh Freed, Senior Vice President of the Climate and Energy Program:

“Third Way is pleased to see Congress provide $14 billion in emergency funds for transit agencies in the new COVID-19 relief bill—but there’s a lot more we need to do to keep the trains and buses running on time,” said Josh Freed, Senior Vice President of Third Way’s Climate and Energy Program. “As President-Elect Joe Biden has said, this week’s relief package is just a down payment on additional relief that will still be needed next year. Transit agencies will need significantly more than this to stay afloat in the long run. We look forward to working with the incoming president and with Secretary-Designate Pete Buttigieg to ensure that all transit agencies—including those in small cities and rural areas—can get the full assistance they need.”

“These investments are worth it. Public transportation has been a lifeline for many Americans during the pandemic, particularly our frontline workers, and we can’t afford the severe service cuts that will happen without continued federal support,” said Freed. “In the longer term, investing in transit will be key to recovering and growing our economy, creating millions of jobs, and building a cleaner and more equitable transportation network.”