MTA receives $600K grant to study spread of coronavirus on mass transit Updated Jan 20, 2021; Posted Jan 20, 2021 The MTA has received a $600,000 grant from the Federal Transit Administration to study the spread of the novel coronavirus on mass transit. (Andrew Cashin/MTA New York City Transit) Facebook Share STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The MTA has received federal funding to study how the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) travels through mass transit. On Tuesday, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced various selected projects for the Public Transportation COVID-19 Research Demonstration Grant Program, including a $600,000 grant for the MTA to study how the virus moves on the Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Rail Road.