DOT Releases $2B for Storm-Damaged Transit Systems

The federal Department of Transportation is releasing $2 billion in emergency aid for transit systems affected by Superstorm Sandy.

The funds released Monday are the first installment of a $10.9 billion appropriation for transit systems signed by President Obama last week. It’s for repairing, rebuilding and protecting facilities and infrastructure damaged when Sandy hit on Oct. 29.

NJ Transit suffered about $400 million in damages. An agency spokesman says $100 million of that was damage to rail cars and locomotives that will likely be covered by insurance.

NJ Transit is still compiling damage figures and working with the Federal Emergency Management Administration on its aid request.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has said its PATH rail system sustained about $300 million in damages.