Webinar: How Transit Investments Impact Regional Economies
- Author: Edward Graham
- Date: August 30, 2021
Credit: WMATA, Photograph by Larry Levine All across the United States, public transit systems are working to ensure that investments…
In late March President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES”) into law. This $2 trillion relief legislation provided $25.0 billion in relief for urban and rural public transit systems impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. For FTA funded 5311 and 5307 public transportation systems, these dollars will provide coronavirus-related reimbursements.
However, for mobility management providers, it may not be as clear where benefits may exist in the CARES Act legislation. This blog looks to clarify where the passed relief and assistance programs could benefit mobility management professionals:
Section 5307 and Section 5311
Mobility management is one of many eligible activities under FTA’s formula grant programs – Section 5307 (urban public transit), Section 5310 (enhanced mobility for elderly individuals and persons with disabilities) and Section 5311 (rural public transit).
The CARES Act included nearly $25.0 billion in relief for urban and rural public transit systems impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. For FTA funded 5311 and 5307 public transportation systems, these dollars will provide coronavirus-related reimbursements. Recipients of those funds can use this influx of CARES Act funding to continue to support mobility management activities.
Section 5310
While many Section 5310 recipients also receive funding through either Section 5307 or 5311 – not all do. The distinction is critical to be aware of for your system given the CARES Act did not direct any additional funding specifically to Section 5310 recipients.
For those 5310 recipients who also receive 5307 or 5311 funding – the things they may have been accustomed to funding through Section 5310 instead can be funded through their CARES Act Section 5307 or 5311 dollars. Note: in general, pretty much anything that can be funded through Section 5310 – including mobility management – is also eligible for 5307 or 5311.
However, the story is quite different for the 5310 recipients who receive no other FTA funding, and use 5310 to support mobility management activities. Given that the CARES Act does not directly include funding for this group, recipients of Section 5310 may need to think creatively to avoid large funding gaps, layoffs, or other harmful economic impacts from the pandemic.
NCMM has identified a number of options for mobility managers and their agencies to continue to support the important work of mobility management during this time:
Support directly identified within the CARES Act:
Ideas for coordinated support across 5307, 5310, and 5311 to leverage CARES Act funding:
NCMM acknowledges that while the provisions and relief opportunities above may be applicable, they do not provide the scale of support that to mobility managers is likely needed during this unprecedented time. NCMM highly encourages all mobility managers to consider how you and your organization can adapt and creatively serve your community during this pandemic.
We encourage you to check out the NCMM COVID-19 Webpage for additional guidance from the CDC, FTA, and NCMM Partners.
Credit: WMATA, Photograph by Larry Levine All across the United States, public transit systems are working to ensure that investments…
Image Credit: Hillsborough Area Regional Transit With the COVID-19 pandemic rocking the United States, transit, like other essential sectors, needed…
Public Health Depts. across the country are relying on Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) to help with the logistics of mass…
Source: King County Metro Transportation is essential to ensure the most vulnerable residents of King County receive vaccinations. Those without…
This is the first in a series of blog posts on this topic. In this blog, I will share some…
Have more mobility news that we should be reading and sharing? Let us know! Reach out to Sage Kashner (kashner@ctaa.org).