Mass transit

Partnership Positions GE as first U.S. High-Speed Rail Locomotive Manufacturer

Erie, Pa., USA and Beijing, China (Nov. 17, 2009) - GE and China’s Ministry of Railways today announced that they signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly advance high-speed rail (HSR) opportunities in the United States. This collaboration will allow GE Transportation to be the first U.S. locomotive manufacturer to more effectively compete for high-speed rail projects against global competitors.

In addition, the partnership would accelerate GE’s passenger rail technologies and create in the near future up to 150 high technology jobs in the U.S. The announcement was made as part of "GE's Clean Technology Week in China" activities.    » read more »

November 13, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Citing an urgent need to create jobs, infuse the economy and address our crumbling infrastructure, Senator Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., has written to President Barack Obama calling on his Administration to swiftly move forward with a long-term, comprehensive reauthorization of surface transportation and transit programs. The current authorization expired on September 30, 2009, and Congress has passed a temporary extension of the programs until December 18, 2009.    » read more »

Agreement Will Aid Region’s Riders During Tough Economic Time

CHICAGO – November 11, 2009. Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today announced an agreement with the Chicago region’s major transit agencies that will prevent fare increases for the Chicago Transit Authority and Pace paratransit services in 2010 and 2011. The agreement was made between the State of Illinois, the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra and Pace.

“Access to affordable and reliable public transportation is imperative for Chicago-area transit riders,” said Governor Quinn. “Today’s comprehensive agreement will stabilize public transit and will hold the line against any CTA fare increases for the next two years.”    » read more »

Introduces Forty New Hybrid Buses to the Area

October 19, 2009 -- Philadelphia, PA – Today, Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-07) took part in announcing the procurement of 40 new hybrid buses by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA).    » read more »

October 15, 2009 -- Rep. Louise Slaughter said that a new hearing in Congress on the benefits of high-speed rail demonstrates again that the projects can spark economic growth, new jobs and improved quality of life. Slaughter has been a leader in New York in pushing for creation of a new efficient high speed corridor between Albany and Buffalo and has worked closely with federal, state and local officials to bring the plan to fruition.    » read more »

15 October 2009 -- Washington, DC -- Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today received a firm commitment from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) that the long-awaited Little Rock-Memphis High Speed Rail Study will be started next year.    » read more »

October 14, 2009 -- (Washington, DC) - The Subcommittee is meeting today to hear testimony on high-speed rail in the United States. The dream of high-speed rail in America is finally coming true. In 2007, this subcommittee held a hearing to listen to the experiences of international operators and other countries in developing high-speed rail. Their advice was to invest, get a high-speed rail line operating, and once everyone saw it working they would want it for their area: Build it and they will come!    » read more »

Light Rail Extension Will Expand Sacramento’s Core

October 12, 2009 -- SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (D-Sacramento) joined local community leaders for the groundbreaking ceremony of Regional Transit’s Green Line. The event marked the start of construction on RT’s light rail extension to Richards Boulevard, part of the Downtown-Natomas-Airport (DNA) master plan to connect Sacramento’s downtown core to Natomas, and eventually Sacramento International Airport. Representative Matsui’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below:    » read more »

October 7, 2009 -- Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY-28) today said the state’s $11.6 billion request for additional stimulus funds to improve high-speed rail service from Niagara Falls to New York City will help spark new economic growth.

“This application is an important step forward in building a better economic future for New York,” said Slaughter. “High-speed rail has the potential to expand our regional workforce, improve commerce, generate new tourism opportunities and spark revitalization in our region for years to come. Eventually I hope to connect the Empire Corridor to Toronto, Montreal and back down to Albany creating a large economic development center.”    » read more »

State Seeking $11.6 Billion in Federal Economic Recovery Grants to Develop Empire Corridor

October 6, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced that the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has applied for $11.6 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding to improve high-speed rail service along the Empire Corridor between New York City and Niagara Falls.    » read more »

October 7, 2009 -- TRENTON - New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine issued the following Executive Order to ensure transparency and accountability regarding the expenditure of public funds on the Mass Transit Tunnel project.

The full text of the Executive Order is below.

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 155

WHEREAS, the Mass Transit Tunnel project is the largest transit public works project in the United States, and includes the construction of two single-track rail tunnels under the Hudson River to service existing NJ Transit passenger rail lines, an expanded New York Penn Station and other key elements to address the pressing regional transportation needs; and    » read more »

October 6, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded New Jersey more than $8 million in new federal funding to improve intermodal stations and expand local bus service throughout the state. The funds will provide for construction and the expansion of existing stations.    » read more »

May 8, 2009 -- On Thursday, President Obama recommended to Congress $1.83 billion in funding for major transit projects that will create jobs and increase transportation options throughout the United States. More than $600 million of those funds are being recommended for new projects in areas as diverse as Northern New Jersey; Austin, Texas; and Roaring Fork Valley, Colo. A list of projects and their descriptions is available at: http://www.fta.dot.gov/publications/reports/reports_to_congress/publicat...

“By reinvesting in our nation’s transit infrastructure, we are making our communities more livable, invigorating the local economy, and putting America back to work,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said.    » read more »

Administration Bill Passes Legislature to Make Transit Development Easier in Maryland

BALTIMORE, MD (April 9, 2008) – Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley today joined Department of Transportation Secretary John D. Porcari, Department of General Services Secretary Alvin Collins, local officials and business leaders to tour the State Center in Baltimore City, one of Maryland’s most aggressive redevelopment and transit development efforts.

State Center, Baltimore, Maryland: Photo by Chris (CC)    » read more »

Tuesday, February 5, 2008 -- Having delivered nearly $9 billion in federal funding for 22 major transit projects since he took office in 2001, President Bush today recommended a $1.62 billion funding package for Fiscal Year 2009 that includes new projects in nine cities across the nation. This New Starts amount is part of a total public transportation budget proposal of $10.1 billion, a 6.8 percent increase over Fiscal Year 2008.    » read more »