Boston is slated to gain a new shuttle van network and hundreds of Bluebikes thanks to a federal grant secured by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council.

The $21.6 million award, part of the Federal Highway Administration's Congestion Relief Grant Program, will be used to create new shuttle routes in Allston-Brighton, Charlestown/Somerville and the Seaport, with the aim of augmenting MBTA service, the MAPC said. MAPC's grant proposal calls for two 14-passenger vans along each route, with 30-minute headways and one to four hours of daily operations.

The shuttles will be operated by the Allston Brighton TMA, the Seaport TMA and the Lower Mystic TMA, an MAPC spokesperson said.

Transportation management associations are private, nonprofit groups comprised of employers, developers and property managers collectively tackling transportation, air quality and commuter issues, according to A Better City’s website, which operates two TMAs.

The money will also cover new on-demand "micro-transit" services in the Mattapan and Grove Hall neighborhoods, "provided that one end of the trip is a transit stop, while the other can be their home or another destination," according to the application. Via Transportation, Inc. will operate those shuttle routes, according to the grant application.

"This grant will provide more options for people to get around without relying on a car and will make a dent in Boston's status as one of the most congested cities," Eric Bourassa, MAPC's transportation director, said.

Nearly 400 Bluebikes will be added to the Greater Boston area, encompassing 90 e-bikes and 290 pedal bikes, plus 32 electrified stations and 32 regular stations. MAPC says initial planning will explore where to locate the stations in existing Bluebike communities, including Arlington, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Newton, Revere, Somerville, Watertown and Salem.

The grant will also allow officials to pursue research into reducing driving and encouraging transit use, as well as creating a mobile app for transit planning and payment.

"This federal funding will advance transit equity and reduce carbon emissions by giving more people the option to get to work, school, medical appointments, and other important services without relying on a car," U.S. Sen. Ed Markey said.