Birmingham’s public transit system is getting $3.6 million in federal grant money for new buses.

The U.S. Department of Transportation says the funding will go for the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority to replace old buses that have outlived their usefulness.

An announcement from the agency says the new vehicles will reduce maintenance and other costs and improve reliability.

The department says the Birmingham project is among about 140 nationwide receiving some $264 million total. The money is meant to improve the safety and reliability of U.S. bus systems.

The Transportation Department says improving bus service is crucial as Birmingham prepares to play host to the 2021 World Games, an Olympic-style event expected to bring thousands of people to the region.

(Associated Press, copyright 2018)