Transit authority applies for $143K in CARE funding
With transit ridership down and the bill for sanitizing equipment up, Butler Transit Authority is looking for cash from Uncle Sam.
Like every aspect of society, the authority's operations have been forced to react to the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Part of that response has led to additional expenses, according to John Paul, the authority's executive director.
To face the financial challenges, the authority board approved a budget Tuesday requesting $143,000 through a federal government program to help pay for the loss in fares and purchase of sterilization equipment and products.
Once approved, the funds will be distributed by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
“It was a litany of costs that contributed to the expenses,” Paul said. “We started tracking all expenses related to this when it all began, and when the federal funding for transit got approved, the state instructed us on how to apply.”
Funding is available from the federal government through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act. Joe Courtney, a Democrat from Connecticut, introduced the bill in the House of Representatives Jan. 24. President Donald Trump signed it into law March 27.
About half of the financial loss comes from ridership being down, Paul said. He noted that ridership decline would most likely continue after the government eventually relaxes virus precautions.
“Ridership is still going to be curtailed,” Paul said. “I would anticipate that people should continue to use masks just for precautions when we get back out there.”
The rest of the reimbursement request is to cover equipment and supplies the authority purchased to disinfect its seven buses. The authority recently bought 1,200 N95 masks at a cost of just over $3,500. It also received 2,000 surgical masks from PennDOT along with bus cleaning liquid at no cost.
Paul said the authority also bought macrobiotic cleaner and a “fogger” that blows disinfectant through the buses. The ventilation system sucks the “fogger” in — disinfecting the ventilation system and the bus interior at the same time.
“We're doing everything to keep passengers and drivers safe because this stuff is just contagious,” Paul said. “We just don't know what's up there (in the ventilation system). It's one of those things better safe than sorry, obviously, if we can stop any infections in any manner.”
And every night, Paul said, the staff cleans the buses, especially spots that are heavily touched.
One supply the authority is still waiting for is hand sanitizers.
“Everything is on back order because everyone needs them,” Paul said.
Paul said they had ordered sanitizers several weeks ago from a private supplier, but the delivery was delayed until at least mid-June.
Still, all these precautions have paid off. According to Paul, none of the bus drivers have contracted the virus.
The authority began its safety efforts March 23. Fares were waived and passengers were instructed to enter and exit buses from the rear and remain behind a white line to protect drivers.
Commuter service to Pittsburgh was cut to one bus traveling Route 8 and one bus traveling Route 68.
“Everyone's just gotta be as respectful as they can and do as much as they can to make sure it doesn't come back,” Paul said.
