U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Additional Administrative Relief for Transit Agencies During COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

WASHINGTON – In response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced additional actions to improve access to grant funding and provide relief from certain regulatory and administrative requirements. Specifically, FTA will extend access to emergency relief funding for operations and allow more time for transit agencies to meet regulatory requirements for the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP), Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program (PTSCTP) regulations, as well as several reporting and compliance reviews.

“We understand that many transit agencies are experiencing disruptions to normal operating procedures during the COVID-19 public health emergency,” said FTA Deputy Administrator K. Jane Williams. “FTA is taking these actions to ensure transit agencies can continue to prioritize their resources toward ensuring the safety of their employees and riders during this time.”

FTA has extended the eligibility for formula funding under the Emergency Relief Program to be used to pay for operating expenses. Funding may now cover operating expenses related to COVID-19 recovery through January 20, 2022 at 100-percent federal share. FTA also issued two Notices of Enforcement Discretion to advise FTA grantees that it will refrain from taking enforcement action regarding the PTASP and PTSCTP regulations through July 20, 2021 and August 20, 2022, respectively.

FTA previously announced a first round of administrative relief actions earlier this year, including expanding the federal government’s share of operating expenses and other COVID-19 related expenses to 100 percent.

FTA acknowledges that operational challenges presented by COVID-19 continue to impact transit agencies.  More information about FTA’s latest administrative relief actions is available under Frequently Asked Questions on FTA’s website. Additional information about FTA’s response to COVID-19 including resources for transit agencies is available at www.transit.dot.gov/coronavirus.