June 16, 2020

Merkley, Wyden Announce $2.3 Million to Help Josephine County Transit Through COVID-19 Crisis

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that Josephine County will receive a $2.3 million grant to help the county’s public transit through the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

The funding is authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which Congress passed in March.

“Transit continues to support essential workers and provide access to vital services as our communities are dealing with the coronavirus crisis,” said Merkley. “This grant will help Josephine County’s public transportation continue to meet the public’s needs during this difficult time, and ensure that transit is still there for the community on the other side of this crisis.”

“Transit workers and Oregonians depending on the essential service they provide need to know safe public transportation will be available during COVID-19 and beyond, to go to work, the grocery store, the pharmacy and more,” Wyden said. “These federal resources heading to Josephine County will help support those quality-of-life issues, and I will keep battling to ensure Oregonians have solid access to mass transit throughout our state that is safe during the pandemic and afterwards.” 

Josephine County’s grant award, which totals $2,300,237 and is being distributed by the Federal Transit Administration, will support operating, administrative, and preventive maintenance costs to help the county’s transit operations make it through the COVID-19 crisis.

 

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