(Miami, FL) The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today released $64.5 million in federal stimulus funds to Miami-Dade Transit (MDT), of which the City of Miami has been allocated $4.1 million to implement an eco-friendly rubber-tire trolley bus system.

“This project will improve the quality of life of the residents of Miami, create much-needed jobs, and provide and eco-friendly public transportation alternative,” said Mayor Manny Diaz.

The City was awarded $4.1 million for transit projects through the Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) process. These funds will be used to implement an eco-friendly rubber-tire trolley bus system, as well as ancillary capital equipment such as shelters and signs, to provide a premium transit circulator system in the areas of Downtown, Brickell, the Health District, Allapattah, Overtown and Coral Way. This project would create 82 jobs.

The release of these funds means that the City of Miami can now move forward in issuing Request for Proposals (RFP) for the trolley bus system.

On May 28th, City Commission approved an Interlocal Agreement with Miami-Dade Transit that would allow the City (through MDT) to use its federal transit stimulus allocation of $4.1 million for the purchase of rubber-tire trolley buses. 

Miami-Dade Transit applied for the FTA grants in May 2009 and was awaiting the grant award to be able to program the money to start the projects. Of the total $64.5 million, $9.7 million will be allocated to 24 Miami-Dade municipalities for transit related projects within their respective municipal boundaries.

Please visit www.recoverymiami.org for more information.