ATLANTA – MARTA and 14 other public transit agencies are asking Congress for an additional $33 billion to help offset losses suffered because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Congress passed in late March included $25 billion for the nation’s transit systems. Georgia’s share of those funds came to $522 million, and MARTA got most of that.
But a fuller picture of transit agency losses due to COVID-19 has emerged since then, making more federal aid necessary in order to maintain the current level of service and ensure safety, said Jeff Parker, MARTA’s general manager and CEO.
“We must replenish our lost revenue while continuing to invest in expansion programs that will stimulate the economy and sustain jobs in a period of record high unemployment,” Parker said.
Ridership on MARTA buses and trains has fallen off dramatically since March, with so many riders who normally use the system out of work. The agency has responded by operating on a weekend schedule throughout the week.
The huge drop-off in ridership combined with $1.32 million in unanticipated costs for masks, gloves, cleaning supplies and emergency sick leave has opened up a huge budget gap for MARTA, which now faces a five-year deficit of $380 million.
Besides MARTA, transit systems asking for help include the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), New Jersey Transit, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), and San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART).
“Public transit is a critical component to the economic vitality of the regions we serve,” Parker said. “More relief is needed to close the enormous budget gap created by unprecedented declines in ridership and revenue caused by this health crisis.”