Statement: Biden’s sweeping COVID package includes much-needed relief for U.S. transit agencies

President-elect’s proposal would provide $20 billion for transit agencies to avoid layoffs and service cuts

U.S. PIRG

WASHINGTON — President-elect Joe Biden announced an emergency relief plan Thursday night aimed at tackling the COVID crisis. The package includes $20 billion in relief for the hardest-hit public transit agencies to maintain routes for essential workers and ensure that public transportation systems are resilient for the communities that depend on them. Due to COVID-related budget shortages, transit agencies across the country have considered or proposed service cuts, including in New York, Boston and Washington, DC.

Matt Casale, U.S. PIRG Environment Campaigns director, issued the following statement:

“We thank the president-elect for recognizing the importance of public transportation and proposing much-needed relief for our nation’s transit agencies. This investment will be critical in ensuring that agencies across the country are able to overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic without decimating service. 

“Once we emerge from the pandemic, we look forward to working with the Biden administration and Congress to provide long-term, sustainable investment in public transportation. This is necessary to allow our transit agencies to not only be more resilient during crises, but also to expand access and modernize services.”