As the federal government wrestles with the latest debt ceiling crisis, the American Public Transit Association is urging transit providers across the country to ensure their COVID–19 relief funds are obligated by the end of May. Transit providers across the country received $69.5 billion in COVID-19 emergency funding in 2020 and 2021. These funds were critical to the survival of agencies in Missouri and across the country. Now, Congress may eliminate all unobligated COVID-19 transit funding as early as June 1.
As Congress looks to reduce federal spending, there is transportation related COVID relief money not yet obligated including $3 billion in Transit Infrastructure Grants.
| Transportation-Related COVID Relief Funding Remaining Unobligated As of March 31, 2023 | |||
| Acct. Numb. | Account Name | Billion $ | |
| 069-2812 | Transit Infrastructure Grants | 3.089 | |
| 069-0110 | Aviation Manufacturing Payroll Support | 2.309 | |
| 069-0548 | Highway Infrastructure Grants | 2.307 | |
| 020-0158 | Pandemic Relief for Aviation Workers | 0.489 | |
| 020-1894 | Air Carrier Worker Support | 0.369 | |
| 069-8106 | Grants-in-Aid to Airports | 0.125 | |
| 069-2815 | Relief for Airports | 0.056 | |
| 020-0156 | Transportation Services Economic Relief | 0.025 | |
“We are urging Missouri transit providers to double check to make sure all their grant funding is obligated by the end of this month,” said Kim Cella, MPTA Executive Director. “This funding has been critical for Missouri to continue to be able to provide service as the impacts of the pandemic continue to linger in the transit industry including reduced ridership and operator shortages.”