L.A. Metro gets $25 million in grants for natural gas buses

California transit agencies were among the top beneficiaries of a new round of federal grants totaling $928.5 million, officials announced Monday.

The money comes from the Federal Transit Administration’s Bus Livability, Alternatives Analysis and State of Good Repair programs.

California received more than any other state -- $126 million -- except New York, which was given more than $164 million. More than one-fourth of California’s money, the largest share, will go to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

That agency received $25 million for new buses that run on compressed natural gas and more than $9.6 million to reconfigure downtown’s Patsaouras Plaza to allow a direct connection for passengers from the El Monte Busway.

"Investing in America’s transit systems, rails, roads, ports and airports will generate tens of thousands of construction-related jobs and put more money in the pockets of working Americans," U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement announcing the grant awards.

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-- Ari Bloomekatz

Photo: A Metro train on the Expo Line near Exposition Park and the USC campus in Los Angeles. Credit: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times