(CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Sangamon Mass Transit District is set to receive just over $17.8 million in federal funding to help replace older buses with diesel-hybrid and compressed natural gas buses. Rep. Nikki Budzinski and Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth made the joint announcement Tuesday.

“Our public transportation system connects thousands of working men and women throughout Central Illinois every day,” said Budzinski. ” I’m glad to see the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continuing to deliver for Central and Southern Illinois with yet another transformational investment.”

“Today’s grant supports a more environmentally conscious future for Illinois’ infrastructure,” said Durbin. “This funding will enable Sangamon County to invest in diesel-hybrid and natural gas vehicles, making transportation more sustainable and dependable for our communities.”

“Increasing the number of zero-emission and low-emission busses protects the health of our communities and our state,” said Duckworth. 

The funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Low and No Emission Grant Program with funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).