Tri-state governors reach agreement on funds to offset pandemic transit losses
After negotiations, the states agreed that approximately $10.85 billion of the funding will be for New York, $2.66 billion will be for New Jersey, and $474 million will be for Connecticut.
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Nov 9, 2021, 4:47 PM
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Updated 990 days ago
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Govs.
Kathy Hochul, Phil Murphy and Ned Lamont announced an agreement on Tuesday
regarding how their states will spend funds appropriated by Congress meant to
mitigate losses suffered by transit systems’ declining ridership and revenues during the
pandemic.
According
to a release from Murphy:
“After
negotiations, the states agreed that approximately $10.85 billion of the
funding will be for New York, $2.66 billion will be for New Jersey, and $474
million will be for Connecticut.”
The
funds are coming from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental
Appropriations Act and the American Rescue Plan Act.
The
tri-state area boasts the nation’s largest subway, commuter rail and bus
services – all of which endured layoffs, furloughs and service reductions
throughout the crisis brought on by COVID-19.
Each
governor responded to the agreement with prepared remarks:
“Nothing
is more critical to our region’s economic recovery than our mass transportation
system. With this agreement, we ensure a reliable and safe commute as workers
return to their offices,” Governor Phil Murphy said. “I thank President Biden,
Speaker Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Schumer, and the New Jersey
congressional delegation for their leadership on this issue, and Governors Hochul
and Lamont for working with New Jersey to strengthen our region’s
transportation networks.”
“I
want to thank President Biden, Senate Majority Leader Schumer, Senator
Gillibrand, and Speaker Pelosi for securing this much-needed transportation
funding,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “The New York City and tristate region
can’t fully recover from the pandemic without our transit agencies effectively
and efficiently moving millions of people in and out of New York City each day.
As a result of a series of productive conversations with my fellow governors,
I’m glad that we have reached an agreement that is beneficial to all.”
"The
agreement reached tonight by Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey is great
news for our region," Governor Ned Lamont said. "It ensures critical
federal funding is now available to support the recovery of our states' public
transportation systems that suffered tremendous financial losses resulting from
the pandemic. I thank Governors Hochul and Murphy for their collaboration to achieve
this."
