Public transit agencies eye service cuts as pandemic aid runs out

Among the trillions of dollars approved by Congress to keep the economy afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic were about $70 billion for the country’s public transit systems.

That money kept transit agencies alive as they lost most of their riders (and the fares that they pay). But now, most agencies are finally using up the last of those federal funds. And while ridership has improved, in many places, it’s still not back to pre-pandemic levels. That’s leading some agencies — big and small — to consider service cuts, which could strand some riders and hurt transit agencies in the long run.