Transit Responds to Covid-19 & the CARES Act

CARES Act Funding

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) released apportionment tables for the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act" or “CARES Act." This legislation includes provisions for new transit funding to assist providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding package is the largest transit appropriation in history and will benefit recipients of Section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula Grants and Section 5311 Formula Grants for Rural Areas.

Section 5311 Formula Grants for Rural Areas funds will be distributed by the Arizona Department of Transportation to subrecipients of the 5311 program. Although the timing of funding availability is contingent on grant review and approvals by FTA, ADOT hopes to make funds available to our Section 5311 sub-recipients by late April or early May.

Section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula Grants and Section 5311(c) Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Formula Grants will both be administered directly between the FTA and direct recipients. We encourage direct recipients to work with their FTA contacts for details on the obligation and timing of disbursement of these funds.

Administered by ADOT:

Section 5311 Formula Grants for Rural Areas: $ 41,730,201.

2020 5311 CARES Reimbursement FAQ - May 15, 2020
E-Grants 5311 CARES Act Reimbursement - Presentation
5311 2020 CARES Act Year 1 Award Notice - May 4, 2020
ADOT 5311 2020 CARES Act Funding FAQ - April 21, 2020
ADOT 5311 CARES Act of 2020 Implementation - Presentation

Additionally, the FTA released an updated FAQ about CARES Act funding.

Meal Delivery and Covid-19

Both 5310 and 5311 are able to use their vehicles for Meal Delivery as an incidental use. They have always been able to do so as long as passenger transportation trips are not being turned away.

5310 Specific Information

The ADOT Transit group recently submitted a waiver request to the FTA regarding use of 5310-funded vehicles during the COVID-19 pandemic. In their response, FTA will allow 5310 agencies to use 5310-funded vehicles for deliveries as their primary function and be reimbursed through operating funds. Reimbursement for this activity is an eligible operating expense for this activity February 1st, 2020 through July 2020. Contact your Program Manager with questions about how to request reimbursement for these costs.