Where will high-speed rail funds come from?

Last week, President Obama and Vice President Biden announced $8 billion in awards for 13 high-speed rail projects that will impact 31 states around the nation, as well as a reassurance for the continued pledge of more funds in the future.

We need a rail leader now!

In a previous blog, I talked about the revival of passenger rail transportation. If there is going to be a long awaited interest and growth in this part of the transportation industry, who and where are the leaders that will coordinate and propel rail ridership throughout the U.S.?

Motorcoach community helps with disaster relief

Both this week and last week, the American Bus Association (ABA), United Motorcoach Association (UMA) and ABC Companies all announced that they are contributing to relief efforts for the victims of the Haiti earthquake

Administration an ally to transit

This week, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo announced safety regulations requiring Positive Train Control (PTC) technology to be installed on major rail lines around the nation, as well as commuter and intercity passenger rail routes.

Operations or Projects: Which is more important?

On Wednesday, the U.S. House passed a $154 billion jobs bill, or what’s being called a second stimulus package, by a vote of 217 to 212. The package is not expected to be taken up by the Senate until early next year, but if it goes through, public transportation will likely have another pool of funds to draw from, since the current bill enables large transit systems to use 10 percent of the $6.15 billion in formula funding for operations. It also includes $800 million for Amtrak.

Will the Jobs Summit yield fruit for transit?

The White House Jobs Summit, held last week, drew business executives, economists, finance experts, labor leaders and small business owners to Washington, D.C., to share ideas on boosting employment. A national delegation of transit and business leaders was among those in attendance, with plans to promote the benefits of investing in “ready-to-go” public transit infrastructure projects that will create and sustain jobs.

Fighting harassment on transit systems

At a recent joint hearing of three New York City Council committees, – Transportation, Women’s Issues and Public Safety – the New York Police Department (NYPD) and Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials spoke about the cry from its riders for more prevention and enforcement of sexual harassment.

Has enforcement been the missing piece?

Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) released a new motorcoach safety action plan, focusing on issues including driver fatigue and inattention, vehicle rollovers, occupant ejections and oversight of unsafe carriers.

Are fare hikes inevitable?

This week, Chicago Transit Authority was able to stave off hiking fares thanks to a $166 million loan, which includes $15 million over two years in debt payments from the local government.

Is "junking" worth it?

We just got over “junk your car” rebates by the federal administration, now it’s “junk the bus.” This program makes sense in terms of the environment, since “junk your car” was directed at saving energy.
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