The City of Key West Transit Department is pleased to announce that it was recently awarded over $1 million to pay for operating costs spanning the next two fiscal years.
A grant of $485,692 for the current fiscal year was awarded from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The award of $564,943 was awarded by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. The second grant will be available to the City on July 1, 2022.
“The Transit Department is dedicated to providing quality transit services,” said Transit Director Rod Delostrinos. “We continually seek grant funding to pay for operating costs.”
These grants are particularly crucial right now, says Delostrinos. Ridership has been down significantly since Covid, but transit is vital to keep the workforce that supports Key West’s economy flowing.
He notes, too, that these funds do not require a match by the City, a significant benefit.
“Typically,” said Delostrinos, “transit operations are subsidized at only 50 percent reimbursement. These grants are at 100 percent reimbursement. These grants will help us continue service even though box fares are down.”
The City of Key West actively seeks state and federal grant funding to enhance the community.
