Last week, your San Antonio Chamber Commerce sent a letter to the Bexar County congressional delegation expressing support for inclusion of $16 billion for public transit support. The funding would help offset direct cost of cleaning buses and anticipated loss of revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
VIA has already experienced a 55% decrease in ridership since the City of San Antonio confirmed its first case of COVID-19. Further, VIA anticipates a significant decrease in farebox and sales tax revenue due to the recently adopted Stay Home, Work Safe order. 88% of VIA’s current budget comes from local sources, the other 12% comes from federal formula funding and grants. The COVID-19 Pandemic will continue to create a tremendous strain on VIA’s ability to maintain services. However, a law signed by President Trump last Friday will provide some much-needed relief.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, includes $25 billion in funding for transit agencies across the country. Funds will be administered by the Federal Transit Administration and distributed to transit agencies based on FY20 funding formulas. VIA is anticipating $90 million in financial relief. Language in the bill requires that these funds be distributed within seven days of the bill’s enactment, and today marks seven days since the bill was signed into law.
We would like to thank all the members of the Bexar County congressional delegation for their support in helping to ensure VIA secures this much-needed funding.
For more information, please contact Stephanie Reyes, VP of Public Policy at sreyes@sachamber.org or by phone at 210-299-2162.
