FEMA Cuts COVID-19 Funding: New York Loses Millions

MTA's financial position has fallen sharply since the pandemic hit the city. The company now risks losing another $ 500 million due to the fact that FEMA decided to cut funding allocated to meet the needs of transportation infrastructure during COVID-19. The edition writes about it New York Post.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is at risk of losing another $ 500 million due to FEMA's "perplexing" and "reckless" decision to cut funding for transportation infrastructure. This was announced on September 8 by the head of MTA Pat Foye.

“The total cost of MTA related to COVID is estimated at about $ 500 million in 2020 alone. At the same time, the same significant spending is predicted for the next four years, - wrote Foy in a letter to the head of the Federal Agency for Emergency Management Pete Gaynor (Pete Gaynor). "These costs are inextricably linked to the pandemic and efforts to minimize public health risks during this critical period, and would not have been necessary otherwise."

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In the midst of the pandemic, officials distributed millions of masks to both workers and passengers, and trains and buses were disinfected daily. Despite these efforts, more than 130 MTA employees have died from COVID-19.

But after September 15th, FEMA funding to tackle the pandemic and protect passengers and workers on public transportation, schools and other public facilities has ended. The fact is that these facilities "are not such that they require immediate action to protect the health and safety of the population."

"FEMA will continue to provide support for reimbursement of costs necessary to combat the effects of the pandemic, on medical care, provision of medical shelters, emergency response centers for coronavirus," - said an agency spokesman in an email on September 8.

MTA officials have already requested $ 125 million from FEMA to cover costs related to the pandemic.

“This brings us all back to our starting position,” said one of the bus drivers. He believes that the loss of FEMA funding will greatly affect him and his colleagues.

To stay afloat until the end of 2022, the MTA, in difficult economic times, is asking Congress for $ 12 billion.

"The MTA incurred additional costs, but it also has the cost of running a system that millions of people still depend on," said Danny Pearlstein, spokesman for the Riders Alliance. "This threatens additional trauma beyond what the pandemic inflicts on a daily basis, making us the national punching bag."

Recall that earlier, US President Donald Trump ordered to deprive the city of funding, whose authorities are failing to take action to stop violent protests and violence. New York is also on the list, receiving about $ 7 billion a year in federal aid. Trump said he would not allow federal taxpayers to fund lawless cities.