Public transportation

Urges Members to Communicate with Union Leaders

Nov. 3, 2009 -- Harrisburg – Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today said he was “extremely disappointed” that contract negotiations for SEPTA broke down early this morning, resulting in a strike that crippled mass transit in the Philadelphia region.

The Governor became directly involved in SEPTA talks on Oct. 30 and participated in 14 hours of negotiations on Nov. 2. He said union leaders walked away from what he felt was a “sensational” contract offer, especially in light of challenging economic conditions.    » read more »

Nearly $40 Million, Including $11.8 Million Saved by Higgins, Will Support Green Public Transportation in WNY

October 13, 2009 -- Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) and representatives from the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) announced 91 new, clean, energy efficient buses will hit the streets of Western New York over the next 15 months thanks to $39,711,371 in federal funding.

“This significant investment in Western New York’s public transportation network will replacing older, less efficient buses, reduce costs, decrease our use of fossil fuel and reduce emissions leading to a better, cleaner community,” said Congressman Higgins.    » 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 »

“We need to do more than simply fund public transportation. We need to re-think the way we approach it as a matter of federal policy.”

July 7, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, called for a new approach to investments in public transportation at this morning’s hearing to examine transit’s role in America’s effort to combat climate change.    » read more »

June 23, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – The following is a statement from Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) on the Metro tragedy in Northeast Washington, DC on Monday evening:

“The events of Monday evening draw heightened attention to safety conditions on the Capital region’s highly-utilized Metro system. With Metrorail transporting an average of one million riders each workday, we have a responsibility to ensure that vital infrastructure upgrades and safety recommendations are implemented in an appropriate time and manner.

“I intend to work closely with my colleagues in Congress and area leaders to determine how such a disaster could have occurred and what measures must be carried out in the near-term to prevent further incidents that jeopardize passenger safety.”    » read more »

Bi-state Governors sign memorandum outlining cooperative efforts to compete for recovery act funds for Chicago-to-St. Louis line

June 22, 2009 -- ST. LOUIS - Missouri Governor Jay Nixon and Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today visited the St. Louis Gateway Amtrak Station to detail their shared priorities for competing for federal recovery funds to establish a high-speed passenger rail line between Chicago and St. Louis.    » read more »

Funding will boost economy, support purchase of buses, maintenance of ferry vessels and terminals

June 19, 2009 -- (Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) announced that $20,501,842 has been released in grants by the U.S. Department of Transportation for mass transit projects in Washington state. The grants were funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and will be put to use improving transportation and creating jobs in Washington state.    » read more »

June 17, 2009 -- The Department of Transportation moved another step closer to realizing President Obama’s vision for high-speed rail in America today, publishing guidelines for states and regions to apply for federal funds as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“The time has finally come for the United States to get serious about building a national network of high-speed rail corridors we can all be proud of,” Secretary Ray LaHood said. “High-speed rail can reduce traffic congestion and link up with light rail, subways and buses to make travel more convenient and our communities more livable.”    » read more »

Tri-City Corridor Project Could Qualify for Federal Funds Under New Guidelines

June 17, 2009 -- Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, welcomed news that the Tri-City Corridor project could qualify for federal grant funding under new guidelines announced today by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. Under these guidelines, states and regions may now apply for the $8 billion in grants for high speed rail projects provided in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.    » read more »

Federal Funding Agreement Announced for Tunnel Construction

June 08, 2009 -- NORTH BERGEN - Building upon the region's rich legacy of major public transportation assets, New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine, Senators Frank R. Lautenberg and Robert Menendez, FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff and a group of other federal, state and local officials today broke ground on the Mass Transit Tunnel project, the largest transit public works project in America.    » read more »

June 3, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Illinois Governor Pat Quinn joined Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley in calling on seven Midwestern Governors to increase their efforts and regional coordination on high speed rail through a regional Rail Summit held in Chicago – the Midwest rail system’s hub – this summer.

Today’s announcement followed a meeting between Durbin and Quinn where they also discussed moving forward with Illinois’s bid for the $8 billion available in funding for high speed rail through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.    » read more »

Additional train to provide service during commuter hours

June 03, 2009 -- RICHMOND - Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Amtrak and the Commonwealth of Virginia have signed an agreement to operate an additional train between Richmond and Washington, D.C. during commuter hours. This new train, along with previously announced daily service between Lynchburg and Washington, D.C., provides more passenger and freight rail transportation options, and are the first state-supported intercity passenger rail services in Virginia.    » read more »

May 28, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced that almost half of the $20 million appropriated nationally for repairs and rehabilitation of railroad infrastructure damaged during natural disasters will go to Iowa. $9,599,243 will go to the Iowa Department of Transportation through the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Railroad Rehabilitation and Repair Program to reimburse short line and regional railroads for three projects in the state. Harkin is a senior member of the Senate Subcommittee that funds transportation initiatives.    » read more »

Funds Will Benefit Santa Fe, Four Corners Region, and Moriarty Residents

May 29, 2009 -- U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that New Mexico will benefit from more than $4.7 million in U.S. Department of Transportation funding.

The Mid-Region Council of Governments will receive $1.08 million Bingaman secured to construct a new ‘park and ride’ location at the intersection of I-25 and New Mexico 599.

“The Rail Runner is proving to be a great, new form of public transportation. This federal funding will invest in a ‘park and ride’ area that will make it more convenient for northern New Mexicans to access it,” Bingaman said.

Bingaman secured this funding through the fiscal year 2008 Federal Transit Authority, an agency within the U.S. DOT.    » read more »

May 28, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Lieutenant Governor John D. Cherry, Jr. today announced that $13.2 million in funding for rural transit agencies and rural intercity bus service from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) will be submitted to the Federal Transit Administration for approval. This funding represents Phase 1 of a two-part distribution of approximately $25 million for Michigan's rural passenger transportation system.    » read more »