SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $700,000 IN ADDITIONAL EMERGENCY FEDERAL FUNDING FOR CHEMUNG COUNTY TRANSIT SYSTEMS
During Negotiations For Cares Act, Schumer Prioritized & Secured $$$ For Upstate New York Transit, Including Funding For Payroll, Overtime, Benefits, And More
Chemung County Will Receive Over $700K As Part Of Federal Emergency Funding Package To Support Operating, Administrative, & Preventive Maintenance Costs To Respond To & Recover From COVID-19 Pandemic
Schumer, Gillibrand: CARES Funding Will Keep Chemung County Rolling
Following last week’s announcement of $3.8 million in federal funding for Chemung County’s C-Tran System, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced an additional $732,127 in funding apportioned by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for Chemung County. The funding will support critical transit needs, including operations, administrative, and preventative maintenance costs for Chemung County transit systems as they respond and recover after the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Specifically, the Senators said, the funding can be used towards payroll, overtime, benefits, electric power, fuel, insurance, claims, paratransit service contracts, maintenance and other operating contracts, professional service contracts, materials & supplies, and other eligible miscellaneous business expenses.
“As communities throughout Chemung County continue to reopen, it’s imperative that they get all the federal tools they need to make the recovery process as quickly and seamless as possible,” said Senator Schumer. “This federal funding will offset the devastating financial impacts of COVID-19 on transit operations throughout the region and allow Chemung County to maintain critical services while Upstate New York adjusts to the new normal. I’m proud to have fought for this imperative funding to be included in the CARES Act and will continue to fight to make sure the Southern Tier has every dollar it needs to rebuild and recover.”
“The COVID-19 crisis has had major implications on New York’s transportation systems. Now more than ever, we must secure reliable transit for the riders who depend on it,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This funding will be used to offset major revenue losses for Chemung County and ensure transportation services continue for the many New Yorkers who depend on it every day. I am proud to have fought for this funding in the CARES Act and I will continue to fight for the resources New York communities need to reopen, rebuild, and return to normal.”
The Senators said that funding for Upstate transit systems has been critical to community recovery after the COVID-19 crisis. Public transportation serves an essential function for thousands of New Yorkers, especially in the Southern Tier, providing everything from improved access to grocery stores to helping frontline healthcare workers get to hospitals.
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