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Metro Transit will receive $3.2 million from the Federal Transit Administration for two projects: $2.6 million for improved transit shelter facilities in downtown St. Paul; and $600,000 for an alternatives analysis study of transit options in the Midtown Corridor in south Minneapolis.

The funds are part of the $928.5 million in federal dollars for more than 300 public transportation projects recently announced by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The transit shelters and related improvements are part of Metro Transit officials’ goal to strengthen the connection between bus service and the new Central Corridor (Green Line) light-rail service in downtown St. Paul, Metro Transit Facilities Manager Maurice Roers said in a prepared statement.

The alternatives analysis study will explore a range of transit potions in the Midtown Corridor in south Minneapolis, specifically streetcar and rapid transit on Lake Street, and streetcar, light rail and dedicated busway along the Midtown Greenway.

Meanwhile, Metro Transit officials announced ridership increased 3.6 percent to 60.6 million during the first nine months of 2011. Although bus services registered gains, ridership fell 1.6 percent on the Hiawatha light-rail service and 1.9 percent on the Northstar commuter-rail service.