Public transportation

Grants Will Improve Public Transportation System throughout New York

February 5, 2008 -- New York Governor Eliot Spitzer today announced $30.7 million in state and federal transit funding for urban and rural public transportation systems to purchase new, clean-fuel buses and support infrastructure improvements to transit facilities. Collectively, these systems help transport more than 240 million passengers annually.    » read more »

January 31, 2008 -- "The plan that the Commission is recommending today meets our goals of reducing congestion, cutting carbon emissions and providing much needed funds to improve mass transit for millions of New Yorkers.

The Commission has done a thorough and thoughtful job. They've taken testimony from hundreds of residents, community leaders and civic organizations. They've held dozens of public meetings and have analyzed mountains of data.    » read more »

January 31, 2008 -- The recommendations offered today by the New York Traffic Congestion Mitigation Commission will help us frame an important discussion as we consider thoughtful ways to improve our mass transit system, reduce congestion and keep our economy moving.

The economic impetus behind congestion pricing is strong, as is the potential for cleaner air, improved public health, and a steady and predictable source of funding to support the Metropolitan Transit Authority's (MTA) capital plan.    » read more »

27 January 2008 -- Heavy snow in southern China has left thousands of railway passengers stranded as they head home for the Lunar New Year holiday.

Chinese state media says more than 150,000 people were stuck Sunday at the Guangzhou railway station, which is the southern end of a key railway link to the capital Beijing.

Authorities say they expect the number of stranded to rise as high as 600,000 by Monday.

Railway officials say it is not immediately clear when service will be restored.    » read more »

27 January 2008 -- Nine people were killed in western Turkey and at least 14 hurt when a passenger train jumped the tracks.

Authorities say at least two cars overturned Sunday near the town of Kutahya.

The train with more than 400 people on board had left Istanbul and was headed for Denizli when it derailed.

Investigators are looking at several possible causes for the accident, including high speed and ice on the tracks.

Source: VOA News

Governor Also Convinces Health Secretary to Consider Border Health Services

Jan. 25, 2008 -- MEXICO CITY – New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson met today with Mexican President Felipe Calderón to make a pitch to position a major international rail project so that it benefits southern New Mexico.    » read more »

01/18/2008 -- BOSTON, MA – Senator John Kerry welcomed the compromise reached by Amtrak employees and the Amtrak Corporation today, where employees agreed in principle to a contract and averted a possible strike. Amtrak employees have been working without a contract since 2000. Without a contract in place, they would have been able to strike at the end of this month, shutting down the commuter rail used by thousands of Bay State residents every day.    » read more »

Governor certifies amendatory veto to mass transit plan; becomes law

January 18, 2008 -- CHICAGO – Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich’s improvements to a long-term mass transit funding bill that provides free public transportation to Illinois seniors became law today after the General Assembly accepted his Amendatory Veto to House Bill 656 Thursday. The CTA, Metra and Pace planned for drastic service cuts, fare hikes, and layoffs if a solution wasn’t passed by Sunday January 20th.    » read more »

January 16, 2008 -- "I am continuing to monitor closely the negotiations between Amtrak and its workers. Amtrak is a vital transportation lifeline for New Yorkers. In the State of New York, Amtrak operates 140 routes, employs more than 1,900 people, and has two of the top ten busiest stations in their rail system.    » read more »

Will accept Hamos-version of solution passed by legislature, but will insert change to protect seniors from impact of .25% sales tax increase approved by lawmakers

January 10, 2008 -- SPRINGFIELD – Soon after both chambers of the General Assembly approved a long-term mass transit funding bill today, Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich was joined by transit officials and state Rep. Julie Hamos as he announced his intention to act on the bill as soon as it is certified and sent to his desk.    » read more »

December 19, 2007 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced the availability of additional rail parking for New Haven’s Union Station at the former site of the New Haven Coliseum. The parking lot is leased from the city by Propark, Inc., who will operate the lot until the city finalizes plans to develop the property.    » read more »

19 December 2007 -- Pakistani officials say at least 56 people were killed and more than 120 injured when a train packed with holiday travelers derailed Wednesday in southern Pakistan.

Rescue crews used cutting equipment to free the last survivors trapped in badly damaged rail cars.

The packed train was heading from the southern city of Karachi to Lahore when about 12 of its 16 cars came off the rails near Mehrabpur.

Local villagers helped rescue those trapped in the wreckage, before emergency crews arrived on the scene.    » read more »

December 17, 2007 -- MADISON - Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today announced $412.8 million for local transportation projects and released the final figures local governments will be receiving in 2008 for General Transportation Aids and Connecting Highway Aids. The funds are part of Governor Doyle’s efforts to support economic development through strategic investments in the state’s transportation network.    » read more »

$100 million will build three new ferries; Governor signs contract to move forward on new design for state ferries

December 13, 2007 -- SEATTLE – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire today proposed investing $100 million in the Washington state ferry system to improve safety and increase capacity.    » read more »

Additional Daily Service Signals Implementation of the Governor’s MARC Growth and Investment Program Is Underway

ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 12, 2007) – Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley today announced he is adding service to the MARC Commuter Rail Penn Line operating between Washington’s Union Station and Baltimore. Three new trains will be added to boost capacity during the afternoon rush hour and provide late evening service for the first time.    » read more »