GA Transit Systems To Receive $500 Million To Stay Afloat

ATLANTA, GEORGIA — With coronavirus restrictions causing mass-transit ridership to crater, Gov. Brian Kemp announced Monday the availability of more than $500 million in federal funds to help keep systems alive.

The funds, part of President Donald Trump’s coronavirus-relief package, will be made available through the Federal Transit Administration. About $370 million is allocated to the Atlanta area, about $26.5 million is tagged for other large metros like Augusta and Savannah, $75 million is targeted to rural operators and almost $50 million goes to small urban transit operators.

MARTA in Atlanta already has suspended fare collection and cut back service in response to dramatically fewer riders, according to TV station Fox5 Atlanta. To help its workers, MARTA is giving out one-time $500 "hero" bonuses to its frontline workers. Transit systems in Augusta, Columbus, Macon and Savannah have also cut back service, according to each authority’s website.

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