Public transportation

March 25, 2009 -- “Today is a difficult day for the millions of New Yorkers who depend on our mass transit system. This morning the Board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) voted to raise fares for commuters, and significantly cut public transportation services. New York is facing its worst financial crisis in decades, and at a time when our colleagues and neighbors are losing their jobs and their homes, we cannot sit passively and allow the failure of a system that serves 8.5 million people each day. Though we did not create this problem, it is our duty to solve it.    » read more »

New Intermodal Center Links Ferry, Bus and Subway to Improve Transit Services

March 16, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today opened the new South Ferry Station in Lower Manhattan to the public. The Governor was joined by Senator Charles E. Schumer, Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand, members of the New York Congressional Delegation and New York City elected officials, as well as MTA Chairman H. Dale Hemmerdinger, MTA Executive Director and CEO Elliot G. Sander, to celebrate the project’s completion. South Ferry Station will become one of New York’s true intermodal centers with Peter Minuit Plaza and the planned new bus loop island linking the ferry, subway and bus services.    » read more »

March 10, 2009 -- RICHMOND – Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine issued the following statement today on the signing of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project Full Funding Grant Agreement between the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority:

"One of my top transportation priorities has been to see Dulles Rail become a reality. The signing of the $900 million Full Funding Grant Agreement for Phase 1 of the project is an accomplishment that has taken more than 10 years to achieve and I am proud to have this honor.    » read more »

Rail Plan is a Critical First Step for Federal Funding for Passenger and Freight Rail Improvements; Rail Improvements will Increase Speed and Reliability, Help Protect the Environment

March 9, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson and New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Commissioner Astrid C. Glynn today announced the release of the 2009 New York State Rail Plan, providing the first comprehensive update of the State’s rail strategy in 22 years and fulfilling a prerequisite for federal funding for rail capital improvement projects. The announcement was made at the Capital District Transportation Authority’s (CDTA) Rensselaer train station.    » read more »

Miami Intermodal Center Cited as Model for Investment

March 5, 2009 -- Miami, Fla. – Vice President Joe Biden, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, and Miami Mayor Manny Diaz today announced the availability of $8.4 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to states and local transportation authorities to repair and build America’s public transportation infrastructure. The announcement took place at the future site of the Miami Intermodal Center, which is slated to serve as a 21st century hub for all types of mass transit.    » read more »

February 26, 2009 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation today unveiled the framework of its proposed fiscal year 2010 budget. Additional budget details will be available in April of this year.

President Obama has laid out a fiscally responsible blueprint for 2010 and the Administration will work closely with the Congress over the next few months to determine the details for funding surface transportation.

“This Administration inherited a difficult problem – a system that can no longer pay for itself,” Secretary LaHood said. “We are looking at every option to solve it, but we are not going to be ready overnight.”    » read more »

Another $45 Billion in Transportation Construction Projects at Stake

Feb. 25, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Public Citizen today sent a second letter urging Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood to end the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) practice of withholding highway funds from states that attempt to curb corruption by enacting “pay-to-play” reforms.

With an additional $45 billion allocated to transportation projects from the stimulus package, much of it to be awarded to private contractors by the states, Public Citizen is calling on LaHood to rescind the previous administration’s policy and allow states to ban the practice of exchanging cash for contracts.    » read more »

February 24, 2009 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today announced it has made steady and measurable increases in air safety that have made flying safer than ever before. The work of DOT’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) resulted in a 65 percent reduction in the aviation fatal accident rate between 1997 and 2006.

Prior to the fatal accident near Buffalo this month, there had been no fatal commercial accidents for more than two years. The rate of runway incursions also has fallen, as have the number of accidents caused by ice on aircraft.

The FAA is committed to further reducing accidents related to icing in all parts of the aviation industry.    » read more »

February 19, 2009 -- ATLANTA – Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle and Speaker of the House Glenn Richardson today announced the Transforming Transportation Investment Act, legislation that will dramatically improve the way transportation projects are planned, constructed and maintained in Georgia.

“Georgians deserve a transportation network that functions as a whole – not 13 gerrymandered parts,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “We need to abandon the scattered approach that spreads resources too thin, and instead focus investment on projects that actually move the needle on congestion, job creation and take full advantage of the investments we have made in our ports, rail lines and airports.”    » read more »

Smart, Green, and Growing Public Transit Leads the Way

Baltimore, MD (February 13, 2009) – Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley today unveiled the first of thirty new hybrid diesel electric buses that the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) which will hit the streets of Maryland this spring. Today’s announcement represents the O’Malley-Brown Administration’s continued commitment toward a smart, green and growing State, and comes just months after Governor O’Malley committed to converting Maryland’s entire MTA bus fleet to hybrids within a decade.

The debut of the 60-foot hybrid bus took place on the exhibition floor at the 2009 Motor Trend International Auto Show at the Convention Center in downtown Baltimore.    » read more »

Kansas transportation task force outlines strategy

February 16, 2009 -- In the midst of tough economic times and scarce state resources, Kansas Governor Sebelius has outlined simple and no-cost steps to prepare Kansas for future transportation opportunities.

“Even though the federal stimulus bill has money set aside for states, Kansas should not build a foundation with temporary funds. We must ensure a solid and sustainable approach to move forward within our means,” Sebelius said. “The steps we take now will not cost taxpayers additional money, but will ensure that as the economy improves we have a plan in place to take advantage of every opportunity.”    » read more »

February 4, 2009 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist, continuing his commitment to strengthening Florida’s economy and preserving Florida’s natural resources, today highlighted the economic and environmental benefits of commuter rail in Central Florida. He joined Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Central Florida lawmakers in urging legislative support for SunRail, the 61-mile commuter rail system that would serve Orange, Seminole, Volusia and Osceola counties.    » read more »

Fighting Gas Prices, Nearly A Third of Americans Age 50+ Hang Up Their Keys To Walk But Find Streets Inhospitable, Public Transportation Inaccessible

August 13, 2008 -- A new poll by AARP finds that while many Americans ages 50+ are trying to move away from car transportation as a result of high gas prices, their attempt to go “green” is challenged by inadequate sidewalks and bike lanes, as well as insufficient public transportation options.

Subway entrance in Brooklyn, New York: Photo by ian crowther (CC)    » read more »

Construction set for four State E-85 facilities across Maryland

ANNAPOLIS, MD (August, 2008) – Just weeks after announcing plans to transition 500 MTA buses to hybrid, and days following the award of the highest grade ever for environmental initiatives from the Maryland League of Conservation Voters, Governor O’Malley was joined by Lt. Governor Anthony Brown and administration officials to present roadmap for a more sustainable transportation fuel system in Maryland, beginning with the construction of four new E-85 fuel pumps throughout Maryland.

To promote Maryland’s energy independence, Governor O’Malley outlined a plan that will combine consumer education, new technologies, and the development of an infrastructure such as the new facilities announced today.    » read more »

June 14, 2008 -- With ridership numbers growing, Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today applauded “smart Connecticut commuters” who are increasingly using the state-owned bus system, CTTRANSIT.

“Part of the growth on the system is doubtless due to increased fuel prices,” Governor Rell said. “And we also think some portion of this growth is due to service initiatives that have been undertaken in the past two years.”    » read more »