High-speed rail
A New Bill Passes, But America’s Transpo Policy Stays Stuck in 20th Century
The House of Representatives approved the transportation bill conference report this afternoon by a vote of 373 to 52. [UPDATE 4:00 PM: The Senate has also approved the bill, 74-19.] This is a bill that’s been called “a death blow to mass transit” by the Amalgamated Transit Union, “a step backwards for America's transportation system” by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, “a retreat from the goals of sustainability and economic resiliency” by Reconnecting America, “a substantial capitulation” by Transportation for America, and “bad news for biking and walking” by America Bikes.
June 29, 2012
House Appropriators Leave TIGER, HSR Out of Next Year’s Budget
It's always confusing when, in the middle of endless bicameral hand-wringing about transportation spending, the House Appropriations Committee puts out a budget for transportation without much ado.
June 6, 2012
From a Reader: Seven More Questions For the Transportation Conference
Last week, I published a list of seven questions I had as the Transportation Conference Committee started meeting. I was examining the politics, not the policy. Turns out some readers wanted to hear more about the policy.
May 17, 2012
Christie, Walker, Kasich, and Scott All Deceived the Public to Kill Rail
Wisconsin, Ohio, New Jersey, Florida -- the Republican governors in each of these states recently aborted a major rail project claiming it was too expensive. Their methods were remarkably similar; their justifications aligned. In many ways, it was like they were all working from the same playbook.
April 13, 2012
Despite Nods to Transit, House GOP Still All About Highways
In its annual “Views and Estimates” document [PDF], the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee indicates that when it comes to transportation policy, despite a few nods to transit, House Republicans still want to cut spending and let highway-centric state DOTs sort out the details. While the House transportation bill could be on its last legs, the document shows that the House GOP hasn't given up on its quest to eliminate street safety programs for walking and biking while giving a free hand to states to build more sprawl projects.
March 12, 2012
APTA: How to Talk to a Detractor of High-Speed Rail
Stop me if you’ve heard these before:
January 12, 2012
Amtrak Chief Outlines “Aggressive” Plan for 2012 Investment
Amtrak has spent the past year as a sort of punching bag for some members of Congress, not to mention the GOP presidential candidates. So it's refreshing to hear that they're coming out swinging, confidently, in 2012.
January 11, 2012
To GOP’s Dismay, DOT Funds Disaster Relief Without Gutting Other Programs
The U.S. DOT announced this morning that it’s allocating almost $1.6 billion for repairs to roads and bridges that were damaged in recent floods and storms. If House Republicans had gotten their way, this money would have come out of high-speed rail funds.
January 9, 2012
Midwest Rail Lives! Work Underway in Four States
Intercity rail dreams in the Midwest have certainly seen their share of setbacks -- with federal funds being returned in Ohio, Wisconsin and, more recently, Michigan. But all is far from lost.
January 5, 2012
Who Said It: “Let’s Be Really Bold… in Developing Maglev Trains”
Match the quotation to its Speaker (hint, hint!):
December 20, 2011