AUSTIN – Using federal COVID-19 aid, the Texas Transportation Commission approved $ 89 million in transit finance at its June meeting. It’s the largest sum of money in the state for transportation companies. This funding supports equitable, reliable transportation services that are an integral part of life for many people across Texas.
These funds support rural and urban transport services in over 96% of the country’s area and serve 41% of the state’s population.
- Government funding: $ 35 million
- Federal funding: $ 54 million
Funding includes over $ 10 million from the federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act to help transportation companies cope with the effects of COVID-19. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Texas transit agencies have worked diligently to maintain safe and reliable transit services across the state. The TxDOT funding also contributed to the nearly 20 million public transport journeys in fiscal 2020 during the pandemic.
“When most of the services closed during the pandemic, these transit agencies continued to serve thousands of Texans across the state,” said Marc Williams, executive director of TxDOT. “At a time when they were most needed, these agencies were helping people find jobs, groceries, or the medical care they needed. This additional funding will further improve access for Texans and enable TxDOT to fulfill our mission ‘Connecting You with Texas’. “
“During the pandemic, we saw the importance of these transit agencies to many Texans, especially in the more rural areas of the state,” said Texas Transportation Commissioner Alvin New. “Transit can be a lifeline for many people, and I am pleased that this amount goes to these communities.”
This funding also includes over $ 7 million for select public transportation projects that address the needs of seniors and people with disabilities. Nationwide, 39 projects were selected in a competition process to receive funding, including:
Valley Metro in the lower Rio Grande Valley, which can expand its transit offering with on-demand microtransit, increase flexibility in timetables and routes, and offer advance reservations for seniors and people with disabilities.
· Spartan Public Transportation in the Levelland area, which can close existing service gaps, service vehicles, pay mobility managers to help plan and manage trips, and buy four accessible replacement vehicles.
Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission in the Beaumont area, which will use these funds to continue and expand its collaboration with local transportation companies promoting seniors curb-to-curb-to-curb-to-nutrition paratransit service, Area Agency on Aging programs, and grandparent programs for seniors .
The approved awards fund public transportation providers in rural, small town, and metropolitan areas. Funds can be used to support a combination of service and capital program costs. Each transport company specifies what it pays for with the funds received.
Here is a list of the agencies and communities that have received funding.
For media inquiries, contact TxDOT Media Relations at MediaRelations@txdot.gov or (512) 463-8700.
