FLINT - The Mass Transportation Authority has received a $6-million Christmas gift from Washington, D.C., thanks to U.S. Rep. Dale E. Kildee, D-Flint.

Half of the money will buy replacement vehicles for curb-to-curb service, while $2 million will pay to expand the MTA's job-transit program. The final $1 million will pay for part of the agency's upgrade for dispatching and communication technology.

Kildee announced the awarding of the funds Tuesday after an initial $6.2-million request from the House Appropriations Committee on Transportation was trimmed by just $200,000.

"Most requests were cut in half this year and some weren't awarded at all, but I know and work well with most of those committee members, and the MTA has a great reputation down here," Kildee said.

"They've established a track record that shows the money they receive isn't spent on frills and glitter, but pays to improve service to riders, so it's an easy sell."

Money for local appropriations has been hard to come by this year at the federal level, with domestic spending under close watch by lawmakers.

The $6 million is nearly double the $3.25 million MTA received last year to replace vehicles and expand job-transit services.

Ed Benning, MTA's assistant general manager, said the money will slow the aging of the agency's vehicle fleet, which serves more than 4 million riders per year.

"Along with replacing vehicles, we can also improve infrastructure like maintenance facilities and other features needed to expand our services," he said. "We're extremely pleased that we'll be able to make these needed improvements to help our riders."

The federal allocation is in addition to the $3.8 million over 10 years that the MTA will receive thanks to an August millage approval by Genesee County voters.

Kildee said that community support also helped in getting the request approved.

"When something like a bond issue is passed, it proves there's local support and gives us great incentive to help out," Kildee said. "That shows people are willing to put up their own dollars, and it makes sure the service gets better and more reliable."

By Chad Swiatecki