King County Metro is receiving almost $80 million federal grant to help upgrade its bus line running through several major south King County cities. The Federal Transportation Administration’s grant was announced on Wednesday.

King County Metro in Washington state will receive $79.7 million to support a bus rapid transit line that will provide service for cities south of Seattle.

King County Metro’s RapidRide is expanding service into Renton, Kent and Auburn, and a new federal grant of $80 million will help make the project a reality.

SEATTLE — A memorial service for a King County Metro bus driver who was killed after an altercation with a passenger will be held in Seattle's SODO neighborhood Friday. Shawn Yim had been a King County Metro driver since 2015. A member of the Amalgated Transit Union 587, Yim was beloved by both colleagues and riders.

King County Metro Transit (King County Metro) received a $79.7 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to support construction of the agency’s new rapid bus route. Funding for the estimated $168.

The Metro Transit Police, which is operated by the King County Sheriff's Office, currently has a staff of 69 officers with funding for 79 full-time positions. At Monday's meeting, Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall announced the agency is now increasing the available funding for full-time officers to 89.

King County Metro has said to expect bus cancellations on Friday, January 10, as the community gathers to honor driver Shawn Yim.

Officials from local transit agencies, law enforcement, and the union representing Seattle-area bus drivers met with the King County Council on Monday to discuss what can be done to improve transit safety for operators and riders.