Public transportation

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 »

The Lane Transit District will receive approximately $2.9 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to improve bus transit in Eugene-Springfield

May 26, 2009 -- (Eugene) - Today Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski, Senator Ron Wyden, and Congressman DeFazio toured the Lane Transit District’s Gateway EmX project, which received $2.9 million in funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to enhance rapid bus transit in Lane County.    » read more »

May 22, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins (R-Maine) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $712,655 for essential projects in Maine.

"Rail and aviation infrastructure are critical components of our transportation system," Senators Snowe and Collins said in a joint statement. "Funding from the Department of Transportation will allow these recipient communities to make much-needed improvements to their facilities, thereby increasing the safety and quality of their services."

The funding will be distributed as follows:    » read more »

Grants Can Help Reduce Highway Deaths, Improve Access to Mass Transit

May 20, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today announced the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded more than $4.3 million in new federal funding to both the City of Trenton and Rutgers University for highway safety programs and new research on public transportation. The City of Trenton’s funding will support highway safety programs in Trenton and Mercer County and Rutgers’ funding will support mass transit research, including studies of rail station access shuttles, transit-supportive residential development and the impact of low-cost bus service.    » read more »

May 15, 2009 -- U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced the availability of $1.5 billion in TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) Discretionary Grants for capital investment in surface transportation projects. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis to projects that have a significant impact on the nation, a region or metropolitan area and can create jobs and benefit economically distressed areas.

“TIGER discretionary funding will open up the door to many new innovative and cutting-edge transportation projects,” said Secretary LaHood. “This is exciting news and I believe that these projects will promote greater mobility, a cleaner environment and more livable communities.”    » read more »

May 12, 2009 -- Rochester, MN – Congressman Tim Walz, Senator Amy Klobuchar, and Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced their support for a southern rail corridor around Rochester’s south side. The southern rail corridor would route trains away from downtown Rochester and the Mayo Clinic to reduce safety risks and allow for future development. The project would create hundreds of jobs during the construction phase while potentially preserving thousands of Mayo Clinic jobs.    » 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 »

Two-stage bus rapid transit initiative will support economic growth, improve New England’s busiest bus corridor and connect key Boston neighborhoods

May 04, 2009 - BOSTON – May 04, 2009 – As part of his Massachusetts Recovery Plan to secure the state’s economic future, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick joined Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and Transportation Secretary James Aloisi today to announce federal stimulus funding to improve bus service along New England’s busiest bus corridor and in neighborhoods currently unserved by rapid transit.    » read more »

Department of Energy Will Lead Alternative Fuel and Advanced Technology Vehicles Pilot Program

April 22, 2009 -- LANDOVER, MD - During a visit to the WMATA Carmen Turner Maintenance and Training Facility in Landover, MD, Vice President Joe Biden today announced $300 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for state and local governments, and transit authorities to expand the nation's fleet of clean, sustainable vehicles and the fueling infrastructure necessary to support them.    » read more »

April 22, 2009 -- GREEN BAY — Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle announced today that Green Bay would benefit from approved proposals for transit projects in 14 small urban areas and 32 non-urbanized areas around Wisconsin. Approval is a major step in securing the portion of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding that has been appropriated for the state. The projects total nearly $34.5 million.    » read more »

Vision for a New Era in Rail Entails Clean, Energy-Efficient Option for Travelers

April 16, 2009 -- President Barack Obama, along with Vice President Biden and Secretary LaHood, announced a new U.S. push today to transform travel in America, creating high-speed rail lines from city to city, reducing dependence on cars and planes and spurring economic development.    » read more »

Joint letter outlines plans to benefit NW train corridor

April 16, 2009 -- (Salem) - Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski and Washington Governor Chris Gregoire today noted their appreciation to the Obama Administration for making $8 billion available nationally for high-speed and intercity rail investments through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). By late summer, the Federal Railroad Administration will begin awarding the first round of grants.    » read more »

ARMONK, NY - 16 Apr 2009: According to a study released today by IBM (NYSE: IBM), increasing demand on rail systems in the U.S. and around the world will dramatically strain existing rail infrastructure. The study, "The Smarter Railroad," analyzes new approaches to modernize and build high-speed rail networks globally, such as those announced today by President Obama.    » read more »

Phase I of proposed projects would link Chicago, St. Louis

April 14, 2009 -- JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri Governor Jay Nixon and the governors of seven other Midwestern states have joined in support of high-speed passenger rail projects to link cities in their region, with Chicago as the hub. The governors, along with Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, have sent a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood asking him to support plans that have been in place for several years for key rail corridors between cities in their states, including St. Louis to Chicago.    » read more »

Bipartisan Group Supports Milwaukee to Madison Route in First Phase of Project

April 13, 2009 -- MADISON – In a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle, seven other Midwestern governors and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley joined in bipartisan support of a high-speed rail network that links cities around the region builds the economy and introduces a new vision for intercity passenger rail. Milwaukee would be connected to Madison and Chicago as part of the first phase of the system.    » read more »