The Federal Transit Administration announced it has awarded Transpo $8.5 million grant as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.

Transpo will use the grant funds to support fixed-route and paratransit service in the South Bend and Mishawaka areas, including preventative maintenance, cleaning supplies, protective equipment, upgraded facilities and software, and the purchase of new vehicles during the COVID-19 public health emergency, according to a press release from the US Department of Transportation.

“This historic $25 billion in grant funding will ensure our nation’s public transportation systems can continue to provide services to the millions of Americans who continue to depend on them,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

“We know many of our nation’s public transportation systems are facing extraordinary challenges and these funds will go a long way to assisting our transit industry partners in battling COVID-19,” said FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams. “These federal funds will support operating assistance to transit agencies of all sizes providing essential travel and supporting transit workers across the country who are unable to work because of the public health emergency.”