U.S. Transportation Secretary Announces $1.2 Million Grant to Wilsonville’s SMART Transit

May 21, 2020 -- The United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced a $1.2 million grant award to SMART Transit as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. SMART Transit will use the grant funds to pay operating, administrative, preventive maintenance, and other expenses during the COVID-19 public-health emergency.

The City of Wilsonville’s South Metro Area Regional Transit (SMART) agency provides public transit and ADA paratransit service within the city as well as connections to transit systems in Canby, Tualatin, Portland and Salem/Keizer.

“This historic $25 billion in grant funding will ensure our nation’s public transportation systems can continue to provide services to the millions of Americans who continue to depend on them,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

“We know many of our nation’s public transportation systems are facing extraordinary challenges and these funds will go a long way to assisting our transit industry partners in battling COVID-19,” said FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams. “These federal funds will support operating assistance to transit agencies of all sizes providing essential travel and supporting transit workers across the country who are unable to work because of the public health emergency.”

Wilsonville Mayor Tim Knapp said, “The City appreciates the action by Congress and the Oregon Congressional Delegation to provide support to local government agencies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal subsidy for substantial costs for operational modifications and related transit expenses will benefit residents, commuting employees and local businesses.”

SMART Transit Director Dwight Brashear echoed Mayor Knapp’s comments, noting that “SMART has seen tremendous success over the years because of unwavering local and federal support for this ‘Little Engine that Could.’ Our mission of providing safe, reliable and cost-efficient services remains alive and well.”

In addition to the CARES Act funding, FTA issued a Safety Advisory that prompts transit agencies to develop and implement policies and procedures regarding face coverings and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched surfaces, physical separation, and hand hygiene consistent with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidance.  CARES Act funding can be used to cover 100 percent of these costs. 

For more information, see FTA’s Fiscal Year 2020 CARES Act Supplemental Public Transportation Apportionments and Allocations for the amounts apportioned by surface transportation act section and area/region. Note funding listed is based on the agency’s current request and may not represent the full amount the agency will receive, pursuant to The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act)(Pub. L. 116-136, Mar 27, 2020).

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