Seattle-area transit agencies will receive $538M from the CARES Act. Here's where that money will go
Transit agencies in the Puget Sound area are set to get $538 million in federal funding to help offset the impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) is working to distribute the funds, which are part of the $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The money is intended to support operating costs as agencies struggle from decreased fare and other revenues.
King County Metro, Sound Transit, Pierce Transit, Community Transit, Everett Transit and Kitsap Transit have all suspended fare collection, and all agencies have seen massive reductions in ridership and as a result reduced their services.
“Getting revenue from passenger fares is the lowest priority we have,” Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff told the Business Journal. “Our concern is the safety of passengers and operators and ensuring we have sufficient operators, who are reporting for work, maintenance and advisory, to provide service for people who are still riding.”
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