Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In

Congress is racing to pass a coronavirus relief bill that would throw transit agencies across the country a life raft — but as the saying goes, we're going to need a bigger boat.

A bipartisan group of a dozen senators introduced the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Act of 2020 on Monday night, which would grant $15 billion to mass transportation agencies to be distributed on the basis of Federal Transit Administration formulas. Because most of that amount could easily be gobbled up by a handful of transit-rich cities facing devastating shortfalls, the feds have restricted each urbanized area to no more than $4 billion in total relief between the new bill and the money granted to agencies through the last relief bill, the CARES Act, which was released in late March. No large city can receive more than 75 percent of its 2018 operating budget from the grants, and experts don't expect there to be much left over after every small agency gets its initial cut.

That's good news for small networks who are likely to hit their 75 percent cap under the rule, but it's terrible news for big cities whose citizens rely on transit the most. New York's MTA, which is responsible for a whopping 38 percent of all public transportation trips taken in the U.S. every day, needs $12 billion to fill its budget hole, but it could get as little as $2.5 billion based on the bill's rules.

Industry advocates who have been pushing hard for at least $32 billion in relief for transit nationwide were disappointed to learn that the senators had essentially halved their request — but were optimistic that it would at least get most agencies over the hump while vaccines are distributed.

"The money in this bill should still be enough to get everyone through March 31, which is the stated goal of the bill," said Jeff Davis of the Eno Center for Transportation. "The mythical '$32 billion needed NOW' total is based on an extrapolation of the MTA’s earlier request for $12 billion, which includes projected operating losses through summer 2024. The number needed to get through December, much less March 31, 2021, is much less."

A far bigger winner in the bill is the private transit industry: motorcoach operators would receive $8 billion in relief, or 80 percent of the $10 billion they've been pushing for since the CARES Act left the sector out in the cold. Though the relief would take the form of grants and loans, it was still met with optimism by the school bus industry, which remains among the largest mass transportation operators in the U.S, even as education increasingly shifts online. Intercity bus lines like Greyhound and Megabus would also benefit from the bill.

"This is great news and what we have all been working for, tirelessly, to happen," said Peter Pantuso president and CEO of the American Bus Association in a release.

Amtrak will also receive $1 billion, while airlines and airports will collect a baffling $21 billion, despite the fact that they transport less than a third of the passengers than the MTA alone delivers every (non-pandemic) day.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

Tuesday’s Headlines

A lot of CA v Trump news, but there's plenty going on in cities (and ports!) throughout the state.

September 23, 2025

Our Streets Look Like War Zones — But What if They Were ‘Sites of Peacebuilding’ Instead?

A peace and conflict studies scholar weighs in on what car culture has in common with global conflicts — and why we need to confront violence on our roads if we want to end violence around the globe.

September 23, 2025

There’s Good Science Behind the Human Craving for Livable Streets

It's time to understanding the science of pedestrian-friendly cities. Or, why streets should be designed like gardens.

September 22, 2025

Caltrain Celebrates Electric Train Anniversary as Gov. Signs Bill for More

Gavin Newsom's signature on "Cap-and-Invest" means there will be even more rail electrification in the future.

September 22, 2025

StreetSmart Ep10: Zack Deutsch-Gross and the 2025 Legislative Session

A look back at the session, and forward at the state of advocacy.

September 22, 2025

Eyes on the Street: Culver City Robertson Improvements Under Construction

Culver City is nearly done transforming one long block of Robertson Boulevard to be a safe bike/walk/transit first/last mile connection to the Metro E Line Station.

September 22, 2025
See all posts