An over $170 million grant was awarded to Southern California Metrolink for the agency’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said. 

The United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced on Tuesday a $170.6 million grant towards the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink) in Southern California as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed by President Donald Trump on March 27, 2020.

The Metrolink is expected to utilize the $170.6 million in grant funding for operating expenses of the Metrolink commuter rail system to provide safe and reliable service to passengers throughout the COVID-19 public health emergency. Funding is expected to cover  revitalization of train operations, public safety, security, fuel, fare collection and maintenance, utilities, facility and station maintenance expenses, according to the FTA.

“This historic $25 billion in grant funding will ensure our nation’s public transportation systems can continue to provide services to the millions of Americans who continue to depend on them,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

Alongside the CARES Act funding, FTA issued a Safety Advisory, consistent with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidance, that prompts transit agencies to implement all possible coronavirus safety measures, encompassing the enforcement of face coverings and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), disinfection and cleaning of frequently touched surfaces, physical separation barriers and hand hygiene. CARES Act funding is expected to cover 100 percent of these costs. 

“We know many of our nation’s public transportation systems are facing extraordinary challenges and these funds will go a long way to assisting our transit industry partners in battling COVID-19,” said FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams. “These federal funds will support operating assistance to transit agencies of all sizes providing essential travel and supporting transit workers across the country who are unable to work because of the public health emergency.”

For more information on CARES Act funding, see the apportionment tables for totals apportioned to each area. This funding is based on the agency’s current request and may not represent the full amount the agency will receive.

Similarly, an over $20 million grant had been awarded to Santa Clarita transit on May 28 to simultaneously provide free rides to all passengers and increase public safety by eliminating contact with the farebox. 

See Related: Over $20 Million Grant Awarded To Santa Clarita Transit For COVID-19 Response

“During these trying times, these grant funds will allow Santa Clarita Transit to continue to provide reliable transportation to the community,” said Adrian Aguilar, Santa Clarita Transit, manager at the time.

KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.