SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND, MORELLE ANNOUNCE $9.2 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES IN ROCHESTER

CARES Act Funding Will Help Offset the Region’s Public Transit Costs Incurred Due To Loss In Ridership During COVID-19 Pandemic

Washington D.C. - U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and Congressman Joe Morelle today announced $9.2 million in federal funding for the Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA). This federal funding was allocated by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) through the CARES Act and will help ensure the RGRTA can continue offering essential public transportation during the COVID-19 outbreak. Additionally, this funding will encourage revitalization projects and support fixed-route, paratransit, and route deviation services.  

“As the Rochester area reopens, it’s imperative that it gets federal help for vital public transportation systems in Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, and Wyoming counties,” said Senator Schumer. “This federal funding will offset the devastating financial impacts of COVID-19 on transit operations throughout the region and allow Rochester area counties to keep the RGRTA system clean, safe, timely, and efficient for riders. 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 that New York has every dollar it needs to recover.”

“This CARES Act funding will ensure that RGRTA can continue providing crucial public transportation services for riders who are relying on safe and sanitary transit during the pandemic,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The transportation systems in the Rochester-Finger Lakes region are central to the economy and workforce and we must ensure they have the resources needed to combat the challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis. I’m proud to have secured these funds in the CARES Act to help our communities recover."

“Our dedicated regional transit workers have played an integral role in making sure our community continues to run smoothly during an otherwise tumultuous period,” said Rep. Morelle. “I’m proud to have helped pass the CARES Act—and prouder still to see these funds go directly to Rochester. Ensuring RGRTA has the means to continue to aid this public health emergency will ease the burden on families and essential workers across our region, and help our community continue to heal.”

###