PEORIA, Ill. — As the Greater Peoria Mass Transit District efforts to keep operations running smoothly through the COVID-19 crisis, the service has received a major financial boost from the Federal Transit Administration.
FTA announced on Tuesday the GPMTD will receive over $10.2 million through the Urbanized Area Formula funds via the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.
The funding may be used for operational expenses and for personal protective equipment.
District General Manager Doug Roelfs said the funding is a much-needed shot in the arm.
“For the year, we’ll probably be down about a half million dollars in fare collection,” he said, referring to the fact fares haven’t been collected since mid-March.
“On top of that, the ridership has been down, and EP!C and CWTC folks haven’t been riding, either, and that’s another big source of income for us, so dropping ridership and fares, that’s a pretty good toll on us.”
He said the money will not only function as a replacement for those funds lost, but will also enable the district to make an investment.
“What we are going to do with this money, as well, is build driver shields on the buses, so that way we can start collecting fares and protect our drivers.
“It’ll also open up more seating on the buses. Right now, we’ve got the front area kind of blocked off to protect our drivers.”
For metropolitan areas like Peoria, where the population exceeds 200,000, FTA funds are automatically apportioned directly to designated recipients.
