Former U.S. DOT Chief on the Worst-Case Scenario: 4 Years of Extensions
To a certain extent, hope springs eternal in federal transportation
circles. Even as state DOTs and metropolitan planning organizations
operate under the latest in a series of extensions of the 2005 law
that governs road, transit, and bike-ped spending, few are willing to
envision a future in which new legislation doesn't pass by next year.
April 19, 2010
‘Gas Tax’ Sounding Like a Four-Letter Word to the White House and Senate
Transportation groups of all shapes and sizes have been concerned that the Senate's forthcoming climate bill could set back the prospects for a federal transportation measure by imposing extra carbon fees
on Big Oil -- which would then be passed on to customers at the pump,
effectively increasing the gas tax for purposes other than funding new
infrastructure projects.
April 16, 2010
NJ Senator Wants Tax Credits for TOD
New construction projects that are within a half-mile of transit
stations and exceeding national energy-efficiency standards would be
eligible for a tax credit under legislation introduced today by Sen.
Robert Menendez (D-NJ), the senior member of the Banking Committee's
transit panel.
April 16, 2010
The Gas Tax: A Trip Back in Legislative Time …
As Tax Day prompts a rush of political rallies and media coverage, it's worth looking back at the history of the federal levy that helps pay for transportation projects: the gas tax.
April 15, 2010
NY Senator: Let’s Fight Obesity by Developing Around Farmer’s Markets
Her approval rating on the rise
amid a difficult election battle, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) joined
the president's campaign against childhood obesity this week by
proposing $1 billion in loans and grants to build healthier
neighborhood grocery stores and farmers' markets.
April 14, 2010
New Report Maps Link Between Overseas Transit Attacks and Domestic Risk
Transit networks around the world beefed up
security measures in the wake of last month's fatal bombing of a Moscow
subway car, but the relevance of circumstances and tactics used in
overseas terrorist attacks to U.S. rail and bus security remains
unclear, according to a new report partly funded by the U.S. DOT.
April 13, 2010
New Report Puts a Price on Suburbia and Rental Housing in One U.S. City
Boston mayor Thomas Menino joined Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA) today for the release of a new Urban Land Institute (ULI) report that maps the combined housing and transportation burden of living in the metro area's various neighborhoods.
April 13, 2010
Planner Calls For ‘Fight’ Against High-Speed Rail Sharing Track With Freight
As federal and local officials plot out the future of U.S. high-speed rail, a prominent speaker at this week’s American Planning Association conference is urging fellow urban planners to “fight” the prospect of high-speed rail sharing roadbed with freight lines — a significant dilemma for Amtrak, which must split an estimated 70 percent of its … Continued
April 12, 2010
New Poll: 27% of Public Would Cut Transit Aid, Versus 12% for Highways
The latest weekly edition of the Economist/YouGov poll
asks where, if a balanced federal budget were the goal, the American
public would rather see cuts to federal spending. As the chart above
shows, transit was given the theoretical axe by 27 percent of
respondents, tied with agriculture and housing but far behind foreign
aid, which held the lead at 71 percent.
April 9, 2010
Amtrak on Pace to Break Annual Ridership Record
Amtrak carried 13.6 million passengers over the past six months, putting it on pace for a record-breaking ridership year, according to a statement released today by officials at the national inter-city rail system. Amtrak’s Acela line saw carried 13.5 percent more riders last month than in March 2009. (Photo: America 2050) Every one of Amtrak’s … Continued
April 8, 2010