SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND, MORELLE ANNOUNCE $36.3 MILLION IN EMERGENCY FUNDING FOR ROCHESTER FINGER LAKES REGION

During Negotiations For CARES Act, Schumer Prioritized And Secured $$$ For Upstate Transit Systems

Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority Will Receive $36.3M In Federal Transit Money As Part of Federal Emergency Funding Package

Schumer, Gillibrand, Morelle: CARES Transit Funding Will Keep Rochester Finger Lakes Region Rolling 

As part of the Schumer-negotiated CARES Act, which included relief for upstate transit systems, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and U.S. Congressman Joseph Morelle today announced $36.3 million in federal funding allocated by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for the Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA).

“As upstate communities like the Rochester Finger Lakes region battle the coronavirus pandemic, it’s imperative that they get all the federal tools they need to respond and recover,” said Senator Schumer. “This federal funding will offset the devastating financial impacts of COVID-19 on transit operations throughout the region and allow the Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority to recover – and help stave off pressure for fare hikes. 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 Rochester Finger Lakes region has every dollar they need to make it through this crisis.”

“Investing in public transportation and infrastructure promotes economic development in our communities and serves as a lifeline for many of our residents,” said Senator Gillibrand. “With New Yorkers in the Rochester Finger Lakes region facing economic hardship from the COVID-19 outbreak,  this funding will ensure the RGRTA can continue providing services to get our riders where they need to go. I am proud to have fought for this funding in the CARES Act and will continue pushing for resources that help our communities grow and thrive.”

“Every day, the dedicated men and women of our transportation industry do critically important work to ensure our community continues to run during this crisis—and we are eternally grateful for all that they do,” said Congressman Morelle. “It’s vital that our transit systems have the tools and resources they need to operate fully and continue getting frontline workers to their jobs every day. I was proud to help secure emergency funding for RGRTA as part of the federal CARES Act, and I’ll continue working alongside my colleagues like Senators Schumer and Gillibrand to provide the support our community needs to get through this unprecedented challenge.”

RGRTA was formed in 1969 and serves the eight-county area in and around Rochester. In 2016, RGRTA served over 17 million people in the Rochester-Finger Lakes region.

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