CTDOT gets nearly $225M in federal funds for transit expenses

The Federal Transit Administration awarded Connecticut’s Department of Transportation $224.3 million to cover COVID-19-related expenses for rail and bus operations.

The FTA money is meant to cover things like personal protective equipment, cleaning supplies and driver salaries, a DOT statement said. 

“Our trains and buses continue to operate around Connecticut, and this funding will help ensure we can continue this essential service during this critical and challenging time,” DOT Commissioner Joe Giulietti said.

The majority of the $224.3 million will go toward rail, with $150 million earmarked for the New Haven Line, New Canaan Line, Danbury Line, and Waterbury Line and $6 million for Shore Line East, according to the DOT. CTtransit, CTtransit Express, and CTfastrak services statewide will receive $50 million, while rural transit services will get $10.1 million. 

DOT has also awarded $8.2 million of the funds to bus and transit districts across the state, and has $19.2 million in pending awards for transit districts.