Nearly $390 million in federal disaster funding has been allocated to reimburse the MTA, PATH, and SEPTA for expenses incurred before and during Superstorm Sandy.

PATH train
PATH train (Twitter)
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The funds are the first to be allocated out of $10.9 billion. Up to $2 billion of this aid must be made available no later than March 30, 2013.

“When Hurricane Sandy devastated public transportation systems in New York and New Jersey, President Obama pledged to act swiftly to help restore service for millions of riders and help the region’s transit agencies recover economically,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “The funds allocated today will offset the emergency expenditures these agencies incurred while taking heroic measures to protect people and equipment and return to normal operations.”

From the U.S. Department of Transportation:

  • The New York MTA is receiving $193,136,983 for repair and restoration of the Easter River tunnels; the South Ferry/Whitehall station; the Rockaway line; rail yards, maintenance shops, and other facilities; and heavy rail cars. The funds support work by New York City Transit; the Staten Island, Long Island, and Metro-North railroads; and MTA Bus.
  • The PATH is receiving funds for two sets of projects: (1) $141,506,347 for efforts undertaken to address the storm’s catastrophic impact on commuter rail service between New York and New Jersey (including the Hoboken-World Trade Center service and service between Hudson and Essex counties in New Jersey and Manhattan). Funds were expended to set up alternative commuter service; repair electric substations and signal infrastructure; replace and repair rolling stock; and repair maintenance facilities. (2) $54,243,826 for the World Trade Center Hub project, which was inundated by approximately 125 million gallons of tidal water. Recovery efforts included pumping; cleaning up debris; and repairing or replacing damaged and destroyed equipment, such as electrical switchgear and substation equipment.
  • SEPTA is receiving $1,192,568 related to securing and protecting transit service serving Philadelphia and the counties of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery prior to the storm; emergency activities during and after the storm to resume service as quickly as possible; and enhanced customer service to communicate with the public when service was suspended or resumed.

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