Brazil leader: $23B more to be spent on transit

SAO PAULO — Brazil's president says her government will spend an additional $23 billion on public transportation in the face of mass protests calling for improved public services.

President Dilma Rousseff made the announcement yesterday after meeting with leaders of a free-transit activist group that launched the first demonstrations in Brazil more than a week ago.

Rousseff didn't provide details on where or when the new spending would take place — and leaders of the activist group say they didn't get concrete promises on steps that will be taken. They say they will continue to protest until they meet their goal that public transport be free.

A few scattered protests broke out yesterday, with some clashes reported between demonstrators and police. More demonstrations are expected Tuesday.