Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06) this week announced $53,240,645 in Department of Transportation (DOT) funding for Regional Transportation District (RTD). Congressman Crow and Democrats from the Colorado congressional delegation voted for this funding as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) last March. RTD is one of 35 recipients in 18 states who demonstrated a need for additional financial support to cover expenses related to day-to-day operations, cleaning and sanitization, combating the spread of pathogens on transit systems, and retaining employees and applied for the funding through the American Rescue Plan Additional Assistance DOT program.
RTD will use this funding to offset their operating costs, 50 percent of which is labor. This will enable the agency to bolster and expand their transit services.
“COVID has forced us to reimagine commuting in the Denver area. This funding will help reduce congestion and improve quality of life for Coloradans. Not only will it give a boost to hardworking Coloradans and small businesses, it will reduce emissions and help us achieve our climate goals,” said Congressman Jason Crow.
“I am appreciative of and grateful for the strong and continuous support of Congressman Crow and the Federal Transit Administration. RTD will leverage this funding to optimize people power by recruiting and retaining talent to bolster transit service delivery that enhances day-to-day lives of residents and visitors across the Denver metro region,” said Debra A. Johnson, RTD General Manager and CEO.
“Essential public transit workers have been on the front lines of the pandemic for two years, keeping our economy moving and helping Americans get where they need to go,” said US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “This additional funding from the American Rescue Plan is helping communities across the country keep transit workers on the job and keep their trains and buses running.”
“Millions of Americans rely on their local transit systems to get to work and school, access medical care and critical services, relieve congestion, and reduce pollution,” said FTA Administrator Nuria Fernández. “The pandemic has shown that public transportation is more essential than ever, which is why these funds are crucial to avoid drastic service cuts and layoffs that would damage the economy and public health.”
RTD is currently hiring numerous positions that have been hard to fill as the Denver area recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. RTD’s budget has also not returned to pre-pandemic “normal” because of the reduced fare revenue while Coloradans realize a new pattern of commuting post-COVID. This funding will be used to support RTD’s operations and further ensure planned service is available for individuals to hopefully return to public transit as a means for travel.
This funding is part of $2.2 billion in funds that were announced today by the Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) during an event with Vice President Kamala Harris. The funding will be used to help public transportation agencies across the country pay for day-to-day operations as they continue to provide essential service for frontline workers and keep tens of thousands of employees on the payroll.
The ARP included $30.5 billion in federal funding to support the nation’s public transportation systems as they continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. With this announcement, 99% of this funding has been allocated to support continued public transit operations and the continuity of transit projects. The final remaining allocation of $25 million in planning grants will be announced soon.
For More Colorado News: ELSEMANARIO.US
- Judge Rejects Denver Public Schools’ Attempt to Block President’s ICE Guidance - March 14, 2025
- The Tri-Caucus Condemns Republican Party’s Open Embrace of Racist Rhetoric - March 14, 2025
- Colorado Department of Education reminds Coloradans to submit nominations for 2026 Teacher of the Year - March 14, 2025
