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.

News 12 Staff

Nov 9, 2021, 4:47 PM

Updated 1,131 days ago

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Tri-state governors reach agreement on funds to offset pandemic transit losses
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."