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Trinity Metro said Monday it will receive $55 million as part of the federal CARES Act funding for public transportation, and will use the money to offset operating losses from decreased sales taxes and fares and to cover expenses incurred to protect passengers and employees from COVID-19.
“The grant funds will primarily cover salaries, wages, and lost revenues,” Trinity Metro CEO Bob Baulsir says. “Most importantly, the money will be used for the health benefits and protections for our employees and customers to ensure Trinity Metro maintains a safe and healthy working and riding environment.”
The funding is part of the $2 trillion CARES Act passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump on March 27. The Federal Transit Administration received $25 billion for transit providers under the act.
The North Central Texas Council of Governments received the funds for the region and is the designated entity for distributing the money to the area’s providers.
Trinity Metro provides public transportation in Tarrant County. The agency annually provides 8 million passenger trips on buses, TEXRail, ACCESS paratransit, vanpools, and the Trinity Railway Express 34-mile commuter rail line jointly owned and operated with Dallas Area Rapid Transit. Trinity Metro is the sole owner and operator of TEXRail, a 27-mile commuter rail line that runs between the Near Southside and D/FW Airport’s Terminal B.