Warner & Kaine Applaud More Than $60 Million for Hampton Roads Transit

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) today applauded $61,731,853 in federal funding for public transportation in Hampton Roads. The funding, for Hampton Roads Transit, was authorized by the Federal Transit Authority (FTA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act supported by Sens. Warner and Kaine.

“Throughout this crisis, our community’s transportation systems have been forced to deal with extraordinary challenges to meet the needs of their passengers while protecting their workers,” said the Senators. “We’re pleased to know that these federal dollars will help provide the necessary equipment and resources to protect Virginians as we continue to navigate through this crisis.”

Through the CARES Act, Congress provided $25 billion for transit agencies to help prevent, prepare, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hampton Roads Transit received its funding under the FTA’s Urbanized Area Formula Program, which makes federal resources available to urbanized areas and to governors for transit capital and operating assistance in urbanized areas and for transportation-related planning.

The funds will support operating, administrative, and preventive maintenance costs for Hampton Roads Transit in order to respond to and recover from the COVID-19 public health emergency. The funds can be used to cover salaries, wages, benefits, maintenance, personal protective barriers, and cleaning supplies.

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