PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority has received an $8 million federal grant for new transit hubs at two colleges that will also serve the southern part of the state.

The grant announced last week by U.S. Sen. Jack Reed and the Federal Transit Administration will pay for the construction of hubs at the University of Rhode Island in South Kingstown and the Community College of Rhode Island in Warwick as well as up to four buses.

The hubs will benefit students and increase connectivity between major transit destinations in southern Rhode Island.

The federal government will pay up to 80% of the estimated $10.8 million project.

Reed’s office said students at the schools generate 1 million trips, roughly 6% of the transit authority’s annual ridership.