CLEVELAND — U.S. Representatives Marcia Fudge and Marcy Kaptur announced roughly $111 million for the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) on Thursday as a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, passed last month by Congress.
“As the spread of COVID-19 contributes to reduced ridership and cut backs for transit systems across the country, we must ensure residents in the Greater Cleveland area can continue to rely on RTA to get to and from work, grocery stores, pharmacies and other locations deemed essential during the pandemic,” said Rep. Fudge.
Transit agencies across the U.S. have all seen a dramatic drop in revenues as social distancing has been implemented nationally. This funding will be used to protect the jobs of the employees of the transit agency and fund their paychecks during this public health emergency.
"On behalf of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) we'd like to thank Representative Marcy Kaptur and Representative Marcia Fudge and the Ohio Congressional delegation for your prompt support of the CARES Act," said GCRTA CEO and General Manager India Birdsong. "As hundreds of thousands of Greater Clevelanders follow the state and federal mandates, including the Governor's "stay at home" orders, ridership has dropped, and GCRTA has seen a significant loss in sales tax and fare revenue, as a result. Your concerted efforts on our behalf will help finance our ability to provide essential transportation services and to remain a critical lifeline to the community."
The Greater Cleveland RTA provides transportation services for 150,000-200,000 customers on a typical weekday, or about 45 million rides annually, through a variety of services.