Virginia’s New Governor Shows His Cards: No Plan for Transportation
Three months ago, Ryan Avent wrote on this page about Virginia gubernatorial hopeful Creigh Deeds' (D) ill-fated push to make transportation a central part of his campaign. The peril was clear to Ryan at the time: With little political appetite for congestion pricing and a stalled federal transport bill, Deeds had big ideas but no way to deliver them to voters.
January 15, 2010
Today’s Headlines
Ahmedabad, India, wins the Sustainable Transport Award from the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (Express) Freight rail industry has a mixed reaction to LaHood’s revamp of transit funding rules (Fleet Owner) Why are politicians always so scared of the word “tax”? A scientific explanation (MoJo Blog) Amtrak to add free wi-fi on the Acela … Continued
January 15, 2010
EPA Air Chief: We Need to Do More to Reduce VMT
Obama administration officials "need to align together" to work on reducing the nation's total vehicle miles traveled -- work that should go beyond a pending congressional climate bill -- the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) air-quality chief said today.
January 14, 2010
LaHood Wants More TIGER Aid in the Congressional Jobs Bill
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood made a splash yesterday by announcing that the U.S. DOT would look at the environmental and community-building benefits of transit projects, not just their adherence to a government cost-effectiveness standard.
January 14, 2010
Today’s Headlines
Infrastructure advocate and Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell (D) says the Senate climate bill is “impossible to pass” (Politico) More fallout from the AP’s attempt to link transportation stimulus money with job creation (ARTBA Press, SGA Blog, Q-C Times) LaHood vows that high-speed rail work will help Michigan — which played locally with the headline “Michigan … Continued
January 14, 2010
Big Transit News: Bush-Era Rule Tossed, Enviro Benefits on the Table
Transportation reformers and members of Congress have long clamored for changes to the federal government's major transit grant program, otherwise known as "New Starts," and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood answered today with an announcement of sweeping changes in the works.
January 13, 2010
Freight Rail Traffic Hit 20-Year Lows in 2009
From Warren Buffett's acquisition of BNSF to the Obama administration's high-speed rail initiative, the nation is abuzz with talk about a revival of freight trains as an energy-efficient alternative to trucks.
January 13, 2010
State DOTs: We Back National Transport Goals — If We Get to Write Them
Congressional efforts to set national goals for the American transportation system are stalled for now, but the U.S. DOT said today that it is preparing for an eventual transition to a world where performance targets are the norm for transit, roads, bridges, and ports.
January 13, 2010
Today’s Headlines
Check out the U.S. DOT’s new rules on positive train control for commuter rail (FRA Press) Oberstar to visit Oklahoma this week for an inspection of stimulus projects (AP) Congressional Democrats don’t want to talk about a gas tax increase, but the vice chairman of GM likes the idea (Messenger) Could the Senate climate bill … Continued
January 13, 2010