King Co. Metro Transit awarded $396M in grant funding from FTA

The U.S. Federal Transit Administration awarded $395.6 million in American Rescue Plan funding to King County Metro Transit.

The agency's funds are meant to help local and regional transit operations continue and keep their workers employed during the pandemic.

"Public transportation has been a lifeline for communities and the American people throughout this pandemic," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. "This funding from President Biden’s American Rescue Plan will help protect transit employees from layoffs, keep transit service running, and ensure people can get where they need to go."

This grant is just a fraction of the $30 billion available in public transportation funds in the American Rescue Plan Act.

"As our nation’s transit systems recover from COVID-19, the American Rescue Plan funds ensure that they continue to provide service to the many Americans who depend on transit to get to essential jobs, healthcare and vaccine appointments," said FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez.

RELATED: 'Don't Block the Box': New traffic cameras aim to fix congestion in downtown Seattle

READ MORE: West Seattle Bridge expected to reopen mid-2022, as final phase of repairs begins

Get breaking news alerts in the FREE FOX 13 Seattle app. Download for Apple iOS or Android.

Stay connected with FOX 13 News on all platforms:
DOWNLOAD: FOX 13 News and Weather Apps
WATCH: FOX 13 News Live
SUBSCRIBE: FOX 13 on YouTube
DAILY BRIEF: Sign Up For Our Newsletter
FOLLOW: Facebook Twitter Instagram

Watch FOX 13 Seattle for the latest news: