Trolley lookalikes coming to Miami

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MIAMI, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- Trolley lookalikes will soon offer free transportation to the Miami Marlins' new ballpark and elsewhere in the city, officials say.

The orange-and-green vehicles with rubber tires will feature wooden seats and leather hand straps, and will go to Brickell, downtown, Overtown, Biscayne Boulevard, the Culmer Center and the Marlins' new ballpark in Little Havana, The Miami Herald reported.

City commissioners approved the $20 million trolley plan.

The $20 million will go toward buying the vehicles and paying for operations for years. It comes from sources including $14 million from half-cent transit surtax funds, $4.1 million in federal stimulus funds and $1.5 million from the Florida Department of Transportation.

The city predicts operating costs will be $2 million-$3 million a year.

Limousines of South Florida is to be paid $2 million to run the trolleys and store them at a facility near Miami International Airport. The city is requiring the company to ensure 20 percent of its employees come from Miami's workforce.