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Federal relief funding
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) today announced that it had been awarded $1.24 billion in American Rescue Plan Act (P.L. 117-2) funds to help pay for expenses incurred by the agency during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“LA Metro is deeply appreciative to U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla, our Los Angeles County Congressional Delegation, working alongside President Biden and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, for clearing the way for our agency to be awarded $1.24 billion in American Rescue Plan Act funds today,” said Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board Chair and Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis.
“As Los Angeles County experiences another surge of infections in our nearly two year battle with the COVID-19 pandemic, the resources provided to our agency through the American Rescue Plan Act will help us weather the storm, continue on our path to rebuild and grow our ridership, maintain the highest standards of service and safety, ensure no employee is laid off, and provide equitable access to transit for all Los Angeles County residents who rely on Metro buses and trains,” Solis added. “Metro will use the America Rescue Plan Act funds to benefit riders, including seniors, persons with disabilities, low-income and transit dependent individuals by supporting bus and rail operations and maintenance – critical activities that will ensure our transit system operates safely, efficiently, reliably, and sustainably.”
To keep transit capital projects on track across the nation, the American Rescue Plan Act also included $1.6 billion for the Capital Investment Grant (CIG) Program, the federal government’s primary program to fund the construction of new transit projects across the nation. The CIG Program in the American Rescue Plan Act included over $275 million for four Metro transit capital projects, including: $59 million for the Regional Connector Transit Project; $66.5 million for the Westside Purple Line Extension Section 1; $58.5 million for the Westside Purple Line Extension Section 2, and $93.5 million for the Westside Purple Line Extension Section 3.
“This critical help from Congress is the reason we were able to keep most of our service running for essential trips during the pandemic and all of our workers employed,” said Metro CEO Stephanie N. Wiggins. “Congress also had the foresight to provide funds so we could continue construction of capital projects that will serve our region for many decades to come. We truly appreciate this help from Congress and the White House that is making a difference for everyone in our region.”
Editor’s Note: Metro Operators are crucial to keeping LA moving. Metro is currently hiring more than 500 bus operators and is offering a $3,000 bonus for coming aboard. This is a great career opportunity. Metro offers competitive hourly rates starting at $17.75 for a 30-hour job as bus operators with benefits that include health insurance, tuition reimbursements, paid training, retirement plan options and flexible working hours. Please encourage friends, family and community members to become a part of the Metro team that provides excellence in service and support and keeps our region moving. Apply at metro.net/driveLA.
About Metro
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is currently providing lifeline service for essential trips and frontline workers. Metro continues building the most ambitious transportation infrastructure program in the United States and is working to greatly improve mobility through its Vision 2028 Plan.
Metro has proudly pledged to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Health and Safety Commitment Program to help ensure the safe return of transit riders as the U.S. recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
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