Miami-Dade Transit Awarded $10 Million Grant

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – It's a good day for Miami-Dade transit.

On Wednesday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood presented county leaders with a $10 million grant. The money is coming from the Federal Transit Administration's "State of Good Repair" program which is aimed at maintaining rail and bus routes.

LaHood was joined in Miami by Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff and Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez at the soon-to-open Miami Intermodal Transit Center at Miami International Airport.

Gimenz said funding will be used for new hybrid-electric buses to replace the current Metrobus diesel vehicles.

"Modernizing Miami-Dade's Metrobus fleet with diesel-electric hybrid buses will make the fleet more environmentally friendly while also lowering fuel costs, saving taxpayer dollars," said U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz in a statement. "We are grateful for the Administration's commitment to investing in infrastructure and that they have recognized South Florida as an integral part of creating an economy built to last."

Statewide, Florida is receiving $50 million for 14 transit projects.