RICHMOND, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- Public transportation agencies across Virginia can request funding to help deal with ridership loss and other costs associated with the novel coronavirus COVID-19.

The Commonwealth Transportation Board has authorized an additional $11 million in statewide public transportation operating funding for all such agencies that are experiencing major ridership losses and other operating expenses due to the pandemic and Virginia's response to it.

"The onset and continues spread of COVID-19 has had extraordinary and disproportionate impacts on Virginia's public transit industry and the communities they serve," said Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine. "As more social distancing is implemented, we recognize that reduced service and significant ridership losses lead to diminished revenue and more challenges ahead."

According to a release, the $11 million in funding is equivalent to one-month of statewide operating revenues currently allocated to the Commonwealth Mass Transit Fund. It will be available to local public transit agencies by early April.

An online listing shows that the Charlottesville Area Transit could get more than $221,000, while JAUNT could get more than $137,000. Meanwhile, Greene County Transit, Inc. can get more than $25,000.

The release adds the emergency funding was identified from previous years savings that accumulated due to the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation's Making Efficient and Responsible Investments in Transit management program.

For more information on DRPT's response to COVID-19, click here.