Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) applauded the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) announcement of over $65 million in funding allocations to continue to support Nevada’s public transportation systems during the coronavirus pandemic. This funding is provided through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 (CRRSAA).
“I’m glad that the most recent coronavirus relief package included substantial funding for Nevada’s transportation system. This funding will help communities across Nevada avoid budget cuts and support their public transit operations under stress due to the coronavirus pandemic. I’m glad the FTA’s allocations will provide much-needed assistance to commuters, seniors, and those with disabilities who rely on public transportation. ”
BACKGROUND:
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 (CRRSAA), which Senator Cortez Masto voted for, includes $900 billion in supplemental appropriations for COVID-19 relief, $14 billion of which is allocated to support the transit industry during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
The $65,870,279 in total funds for Nevada will be distributed as follows:
- $60,118,785 for the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Southern Nevada
- $5,478,114 for the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Washoe County
- $9,053 for the Lake Tahoe Region
- $71,311 for the Nevada Department of Transportation
- $4,756 for the Elko Band Council
- $102,884 for the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe
- $85,376 for the Reno Sparks Indian Colony
As part of Senator Cortez Masto’s Innovation State Initiative, she has consistently called for investments in transportation infrastructure that will provide good paying jobs, stimulate Nevada’s economy, and improve quality of life for Nevadans, including in a letter to Congressional leadership in September. Senator Cortez Masto has also called for increased support to vital government programs during the pandemic and has been instrumental in securing transportation grants throughout the state of Nevada, including $50 million for improvements to I-15 in Las Vegas, $23 million to enhance Pyramid Highway, $4 million to upgrade Washoe County’s public bus fleet, $3.8 million to reduce public transit emissions in Southern Nevada, and over $160 million in funding under the CARES Act to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on public transportation.
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