Public transportation

September 22, 2007 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today applauded the higher satisfaction ratings given to Shore Line East (SLE) by rail commuters in a new survey and said the rail service east of New Haven is an important component of her effort to reduce traffic congestion and improve mobility in southeastern Connecticut.    » read more »

Bloomberg Administration’s Priority a Step Closer

September 21, 2007 -- “The approval of this $2 billion in tax credits by the Senate Finance Committee is great news for New York City and for the entire region. These tax credits will fulfill a commitment that the Federal government made to our City in the aftermath of 9/11. I want to thank Senator Schumer for his leadership on this in the Senate and Congressman Rangel for his efforts in the House.    » read more »

Grants Support Aviation, Rail and Port Improvements across New York State

September 18, 2007 -- New York Governor Eliot Spitzer announced today approval for more than $43 million in funding for aviation, rail and port capital projects across New York State. This funding from the Renew and Rebuild New York Transportation Bond Act of 2005 will support infrastructure, security, and economic development projects across the state.    » read more »

Michigan Department of Transportation Supports Action

September 18, 2007 -- KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Amtrak and Michigan Central Railway have reached an agreement concerning maintenance and investment levels on the rail lines between Ypsilanti and Kalamazoo, Mich., which are currently used for passenger rail operations. As a result of this agreement, Amtrak will support Michigan Central’s request for regulatory approval of the transaction now pending before the Surface Transportation Board (STB) that would grant Michigan Central control over those lines.    » read more »

September 4, 2007 -- CHICAGO – “I believe a tax on working families for transportation is a backdoor fare hike, and I believe the legislature was correct in rejecting that approach.

For months I have urged the leadership in the House to consider alternatives, but unfortunately no progress has been made. Now, after the legislature’s rejection of Speaker Madigan’s tax increase, we are in early September without a resolution and the clock still ticking.    » read more »

Aug. 29, 2007 -- SANTA FE -- New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson today announced that the state Department of Transportation, after discussions with the developer of the department’s headquarters redevelopment project, will put negotiations on hold while two separate investigations initiated by the Governor are conducted.    » read more »

August 29, 2007 - - As summer's end draws near, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is suspending work on 144 of 163 projects statewide for the Labor Day weekend, to help make travel easier.

Beginning at 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 31, and continuing until 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 4, MDOT is suspending road work wherever possible, in anticipation of the 1.1 million motorists that AAA Michigan estimates will travel Michigan roads for the holiday.    » read more »

Student Professionals with Disabilities program to go statewide

August 23, 2007 -- SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) announced today that the Student Professionals with Disabilities program will be expanded statewide. The program, which gives high school students with disabilities the opportunity to gain on the job experience, began in 2006 but has been limited to the Springfield area. The expansion will ensure more people have the chance to gain valuable job skills and succeed in the workplace.    » read more »

August 22, 2007 -- (Des Moines) - Today Iowa Governor Chet Culver announced the appointments of two of four members to the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Compact. The Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Compact, created by an interstate compact in 2000, advocates for expansion of and improvements to the mid-west’s passenger rail system. The commission provides a unified component of a strong transportation system for the future. Member states include Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and Ohio. The compact was created by House File 559.    » read more »

August 20, 2007 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced the installation of bicycle racks on 100 buses serving the Greater Hartford area. The project was undertaken by the Federal Transit Administration, Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT), CTTRANSIT, Central Connecticut Bicycle Alliance (CCBA) and Capital Region Council of Governments.

The bike racks are currently installed on 100 buses. Additional racks are being installed at a rate of two per day. The entire 237 bus CTTRANSIT Hartford fleet is scheduled to be equipped with the racks by Thanksgiving.    » read more »

August 17, 2007 -- PORTLAND - Maine Governor John E. Baldacci joined officials today at the Amtrak station for a ceremony celebrating the expansion of the Downeaster passenger rail service. Starting today, Amtrak will offer five daily trips from Portland to Boston.    » read more »

August 17, 2007 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell announced today that a new office at the Department of Transportation (DOT) will provide independent fiscal and administrative oversight of the DOT’s capital programs and assure that inspections are being performed properly.    » read more »

August 16, 2007 -- New York Governor Eliot Spitzer today announced that the federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded New York more than $55 million in supplemental Fiscal Year 2007 funds to enhance transit and port security systems and emergency management capabilities.    » read more »

August 15, 2007 -- Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) issued the following statement about the Transportation Department’s FY 2007 Urban Partnership Grants, which were announced today. San Francisco was officially accepted today as part of the new federal partnership program.

Senator Feinstein earlier this year sent a letter to Transportation Department Secretary Mary Peters, urging this action.    » read more »

State Funding will Help Manufacturer Retain 500 Jobs; Create Nearly 60 New Jobs

August 15, 2007 -- New York Governor Eliot Spitzer today announced that DaimlerChrysler Commercial Buses of North America, Inc., a leading manufacturer of transit buses in Oneida County, has been awarded $2 million in state economic development assistance to support a planned expansion designed to retain 500 jobs and create nearly 60 new jobs.    » read more »