Connect Transit awarded CARES Act grant

Posted on July 13, 2020

 

Rep. Davis said the much-needed funding ensures vital local services like transit continue safely and uninterrupted. (Photo courtesy: HOI/ABC)

By Heart of Illinois ABC

BLOOMINGTON – Connect Transit is getting over $900,000, thanks to the CARES Act.

Congressmen Darin LaHood (IL-18) and Rodney Davis (IL-13) made the announcement today that the Twin-Cities transit company was awarded a $931,939 CARES Act grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula fund.

According to a release from Congressman LaHood, the company will use the funds for wages, cleaning and disinfecting, personal protection equipment, and other eligible expenses for fixed-route and ADA paratransit service.

“COVID-19 has impacted public transportation systems across Illinois, including Connect Transit, causing significant disruption in service and budgets,” said Rep. LaHood. “Congress and the federal government took important steps to provide relief to mass transit districts and local governments during this pandemic in the CARES Act.”

“It’s important that residents have access to safe public transportation during this challenging time, and I am pleased to join Congressman Rodney Davis to announce this critical relief funding for Connect Transit.”

Rep. Davis said the much-needed funding ensures vital local services like transit continue safely and uninterrupted.

“This grant will allow Connect Transit to do just that,” he said. “As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I will continue to advocate for transit funding for Bloomington-Normal and central Illinois at-large.”

Heart of Illinois ABC can be reached at [email protected]. 

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