CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Clarksville Transit System was awarded a $5.3 million grant as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
The Federal Transit Administration made the announcement Wednesday. CTS applied for the CARES funding last month.
The money will go toward operations, preventive maintenance and administrative expenses, which are necessary to maintain service during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
“The funding can be used to cover all of our normal operating expenses and does not require the normal state and local matches,” CTS Director Paul Nelson said in a press release. “The award will help to cover revenue losses incurred during the pandemic, resulting from reduced ridership and the suspension of fare collections. With this award CTS will be able to maintain full service moving forward.”
CTS suspended fare collection in early April to fight the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. City buses continue to limit to 10 the number of passengers allowed on a bus at the same time, which aligns with the social distancing guidelines urged by the federal Centers for Disease Control.
“We know many of our nation’s public transportation systems are facing extraordinary challenges and these funds will go a long way to assisting our transit industry partners battle COVID-19,” FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams said in a press release. “These federal funds will support operating assistance to transit agencies of all sizes providing essential travel and supporting transit workers across the country who are unable to work because of the public health emergency.”
All CTS routes are operating normally with the exception of the APSU Peay Pickup. The CTS Transit Center on Legion Street downtown is closed to the public, but all outside waiting areas are open.
