It’s open and accepting applications!
Bus and motorcoach companies now have the opportunity to apply for grant monies that can help their business while they rebuild after the COVID pandemic. The Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services (CERTS) Program, passed in late 2020, can assist companies that lost 25 percent or more of revenue during COVID to cover payroll costs, but also acquisition of services; equipment, including PPE and COVID protection measures; continued operations and maintenance of existing equipment and facilities; rent; leases; insurance; and interest on regular debt service.
Full program guidelines and FAQs can be found here.
From the portal page:
Application Deadline: The CERTS portal will be open for applications through July 19, 2021. To be considered for a CERTS grant, an application must be completed, electronically signed, and submitted through the portal by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 19. After the deadline, the portal will not accept new applications, and users will not be able to finish draft applications in the portal.
Accessing the CERTS Portal: To gain access to the CERTS portal and submit an application, a company representative must first register with a username and password through the ID.me identity service. Interested companies may register to obtain an ID.me username and password and access the CERTS portal here.
Need more information? The American Bus Association hosted a webinar on CERTS basics, which can be accessed here. The United Motorcoach Association will also address CERTS in its weekly Town Hall, held on Thursdays at 2 p.m. ET. Register for the Town Hall here.
[06.21.21]