U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-N.J.) today announced $5,534,380 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding to support NJ TRANSIT (NJT) and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) for damages from Tropical Storm Isaias and for costs related to the pandemic.
“This federal funding will ensure that our transit agencies have the resources they need to protect the health and safety of New Jerseyans and continue to provide vital transit service to our communities,” said Sen. Menendez. “Public transportation is essential to the everyday lives of residents and commuters across our state. As the pandemic endures and volatile weather continues, I will keep fighting for greater federal resources to guarantee our state has a transit network that is accessible, reliable, and keeps New Jersey families safe.”
“The health and safety of New Jersey commuters is top priority,” said Sen. Booker. “These federal grants will improve the safety and reliability of our vital transportation services through disasters and keep our economy moving forward.”
NJT was awarded $3,947,848 which will be used to replace the roof at the Egg Harbor Bus Terminal, which was severely damaged by high winds during Tropical Storm Isaias in 2020. PANYNJ was awarded $1,586,532 for the reimbursement of costs incurred to provide disinfection, air filtration, temperature screening, delivery service, and the purchase, distribution, and use of cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment during the pandemic.
Last year, Sen. Menendez, who led a years-long effort to reform how FEMA responds to disasters, announced that the agency answered his call to eliminate the cost-sharing requirements for COVID disaster grants. The directive issued by President Biden allows states and local governments to be retroactively reimbursed at 100% for eligible expenses to combat COVID-19 incurred since Jan. 2020, and to apply for full reimbursement for additional eligible expenses going forward.