All posts from the month of January 2009
Today’s Headlines — 01/26/09
January 26, 2009By Andrew Bielak
- Washington Metro gets a thumbs up for its performance on inauguration day. (Baltimore Sun)
- Some House Representatives find the current stimulus bill leaves much to be desired for transit and rail. (Chicago Sun-Times)
- Oregon Rep. Peter DeFazio is introducing an amendment to get operating assistance money to transit agencies in the stimulus. (Greater Greater Washington)
- With gas prices remaining low, transit is ever popular in the Pittsburgh region. (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)
- Charlotte and Atlanta could be linked with rail. (USA Today)
Jobs and Pocketbooks Threatened as Transit Agencies Face Cutting Jobs and Service, Raising Fares
January 26, 2009By Transportation for America
Stimulus funds to preserve public transportation would help communities large and small, new compilation of data shows
| Download this Release (.pdf) | ||
| Contact: David Goldberg 202-412-7930 david.goldberg@t4america.org Ben Grossman-Cohen |
UPDATED: 14 systems added to the map, bringing the total to 51 transit systems.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — With ridership at record highs, transit agencies across the country are facing unprecedented fiscal crises in this economic downturn, leading to potential job losses, service cuts and fare hikes that are hitting at the worst possible time, a new compilation of nationwide data shows.
To view the map of proposed service cuts nationwide, please visit: http://t4america.org/transitcuts
The widespread nature of the crisis, as mapped by the Transportation for America coalition, underscores the impact of the failure to include service-preservation funds in the economic stimulus bill introduced by the U.S. House leadership last week and proposed today in the Senate. Emergency assistance to save jobs and service, which had been proposed by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair James Oberstar (D-Minn.), was removed from the bill without explanation. Funds for rail and other transit construction were cut, as well, while funding levels for highway construction remained intact.
Transportation for America’s informal audit highlights 38 51 communities across the U.S. that are considering eliminating jobs, cutting service, and raising fares, but will receive no assistance under the current recovery proposal to prevent these deep cuts to an essential service.
The far-reaching and broad cuts will directly affect transit employees and riders who are among the most at risk in this time of economic upheaval. These 38 51 systems together are responsible for more than 20 million daily trips by everyday Americans on public transportation.
“Our economy increasingly relies on public transit to function effectively, yet local systems are being forced to lay off workers and make cuts that will slow down economic growth and punish workers — including many low-income households who rely on transit to reach their jobs,” said Geoff Anderson, co-chair of the Transportation For America coalition.
“If we are serious about putting Americans back-to-work with this recovery plan, shouldn’t we also ensure that those who already have jobs don’t lose them?”
Emergency operating assistance in the recovery package will create and save jobs immediately with relatively limited investment. According to the Amalgamated Transit Union, every $1 billion invested in public transit operations generates 60,000 jobs. Without federal assistance the multibillion dollar transit industry, which employs nearly 400,000 workers will continue to lay off workers at a rapid pace.
The following cities are proposing to reduce service, cut jobs, raise fares, or all of the above due to economy-induced budget shortfalls. View the map at http://t4america.org/transitcuts
(1/27/09) Cities Added: Eugene, OR; Cincinatti, OH; Augusta, GA; Clark County (Vancouver), WA; Carbon County, PA; Binghamton, NY; Orlando, FL; Olympia , WA; San Francisco-San Jose-Gilroy, CA (Caltrain); San Mateo, CA; Monterrey, CA; Hollister, CA; Orange County, CA; Western Contra Costa County, CA
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Albuquerque, NM Atlanta, GA Augusta, GA Baltimore, MD Bay Area, CA Binghamton, NY Buffalo, NY Carbon County, PA Charlotte, NC Chicago, IL Cincinatti, OH Clark County, WA Columbia, SC Denver, CO Eugene, OR Gary, IN Hollister, CA Jackson, MS Kansas City, MO Las Vegas, NV Long Beach, CA Long Island, NY Louisville, KY Madison, WI Marshall, MN Monterey – Salinas, CA |
Nashville, TN New Haven, CT New York, NY Olympia, WA Orange County, CA Orlando, FL Peoria, IL Phoenix, AZ Providence, Rhode Island Reno, NV Sacramento, CA Salem, OR San Diego, CA San Joaquin, CA San Jose – San Francisco, CA (Caltrain) San Luis Obispo, CA San Mateo, CA Seattle Region, WA Snowmass Village, CO St. Louis, MO Tacoma, WA Twin Cities, MN Vallejo, CA W. Contra Costa, CA Washington, D.C. |
Refer to the map at www.t4america.org/transitcuts for details on each city.
Transit Cuts: Coming soon to a system near you?
January 26, 2009By Stephen Lee Davis
Updated: 14 new systems added to the map, bringing the total to 51. (1/27/09)
Updated: See this post for more information about Rep. DeFazio’s operating assistance House amendment that was withdrawn. (1/26/09)
Perhaps you’ve already seen the news in your local paper. Even as ridership is spiking — perhaps even the highest of all time — your local transit system is talking about having to cut service, raise fares, or even lay off workers to cope with the struggling economy. It sounds like a bad dream, but it’s a reality in many communities across the country.
We’ve created a map compiling the potential and proposed cuts to public transportation systems in 38 communities across the country. View the map and find out more about what can be done to solve the problem at www.t4america.org/transitcuts
The far-reaching and broad cuts will directly affect transit employees and riders who are among the most vulnerable in this time of economic upheaval. More than 20 million trips are taken each day on these 38 51 systems, and the scores of low-income citizens and 1/3 of Americans who are unable to or choose not to drive could find themselves out in the cold.
Emergency assistance to save jobs and protect service, which had been proposed by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair James Oberstar (D-Minn.), was removed from the House economic recovery bill without explanation. Funds for rail and other transit construction were cut as well, while funding levels for highway construction remained intact.
It’s crucial that the Federal government provide funds to protect existing transit service. An amendment is close to being offered that would provide $2 billion to transit agencies. But we need your help in getting it passed. In a time of such economic struggle, we need to act to preserve the basic services that people depend on each day.
“Our economy increasingly relies on public transit to function effectively, yet local systems are being forced to lay off workers and make cuts that will slow down economic growth and punish workers — including many low-income households who rely on transit to reach their jobs,” said Geoff Anderson, co-chair of Transportation For America.
“If we are serious about putting Americans back-to-work with this recovery plan, shouldn’t we also ensure that those who already have jobs don’t lose them?”
View the full map and learn what you can do today to make a difference at www.t4america.org/transitcuts
New Transportation Secretary Faces Unprecedented Opportunity to Shape America’s Future
January 22, 2009By Transportation for America
| Download this Release (.pdf) | ||
| Contact: Ben Grossman-Cohen 202-478-6185 bgrossman-cohen@mrss.com |
WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Obama’s choice of retiring Congressman Ray LaHood (R-IL) for Secretary of Transportation shows his commitment to working across the aisle to make government work again. We agree with Secretary-designate LaHood that, “our transportation system and the development it enables must be sustainable” and welcome the opportunity to work with him during the important days ahead. Although Mr. LaHood’s record on transportation issues is not long, he is by all accounts a pragmatic and committed public servant and we strongly support his expressed emphasis on openness and fairness.
The next transportation secretary has a greater opportunity to shape the economic future of our nation than any of his predecessors in recent memory. This opportunity starts immediately with the economic recovery package. The Department of Transportation must provide critical oversight of the stimulus spending to ensure that transportation agencies use the money both quickly and wisely, by repairing and maintaining our crumbling infrastructure and transit service, and not just engaging in road-building for its own sake.
The DOT Secretary also can have substantial influence on the effort to restore our economy, create jobs and reduce our oil dependency through a major renewal of our national transportation program later this year. The current transportation law, SAFETEA-LU, expires this year. Given the urgent need for a more complete, cleaner transportation system, as well as the long-term decline in motor fuel tax receipts, our nation is due for major reform, and the Secretary must provide important information and insight, not just in crafting a new approach, but in implementing it after it is adopted.
Through all this, the Secretary and his department must work with the new Climate and Energy Czar Carol Browner and the White House Office of Urban Policy in an unprecedented way to make sure our communities are livable, our children can breathe safely, and that our nation can successfully compete in the 21st Century.
Transportation for America — a national coalition of leading housing, real estate, environmental, public health, equity, urban planning and transportation organizations — agrees with President Obama that we need to invest in a new energy economy that will end our addiction to foreign oil, address the global climate crisis and create millions of new jobs. That is why we stand ready to support Secretary LaHood in any effort to help navigate this unprecedented opportunity.
Today’s Headlines — 01/22/09
January 22, 2009By Andrew Bielak
- Commentator Ryan Avent writes that our economic and environmental success hinges on a “sea change in our transportation planning.” (Grist)
- New transportation secretary Ray LaHood stressed sustainability and indicated a break from the Bush administration in his confirmation hearing. (Associated Press)
- The Senate might be adding more money for transit to the stimulus. (Open Left)
- Did Congress weaken funding for transit in the recovery bill to make room for tax cuts? (Talking Points Memo)
Today’s Headlines — 01/21/09
January 21, 2009By Andrew Bielak
- Washington DC’s Metro transports nearly one million passengers on inauguration day, a new record for the transit system. (Washington Post)
- Could President Obama usher in a new era for transit? (Examiner)
- 2009 is set to be a benchmark year for transportation. (San Francisco Bay Guardian)
- Transportation experts critique the stimulus proposal that emerged from the U.S. House of Representatives last week. (New York Times)
- Minnesota Rep. James Oberstar says the transportation component of economic recovery bill deserves to be beefed up. (Forbes)
Poll Finds Americans Favor Smarter Transportation Spending in Stimulus Bill
January 16, 2009By Stephen Lee Davis
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| Download this Release (.pdf) | ||
| Contact: David Goldberg, 202/412-7930 david.goldberg@T4america.org |
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WASHINGTON – Eighty percent of Americans want transportation and other infrastructure spending included in the economic stimulus bill to target projects that achieve multiple goals and create new jobs, according to a survey sponsored by the National Association of Realtors® and Transportation for America.
The 2009 Growth and Transportation Survey describes what Americans think about how development affects their immediate community. An overwhelming 80 percent believe it’s more important that a stimulus plan include efforts to repair existing highways and build public transit rather than build new highways. Forty-five percent of those polled said construction of new highways should “definitely” or “probably” not be included in the plan.
“Realtors® build communities and believe smarter transportation and infrastructure development will help create more livable and vibrant neighborhoods,” said NAR President Charles McMillan, a broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Dallas-Fort Worth.
The survey shows that Americans want Congress and the incoming administration to factor plans for reducing dependence on foreign oil, improving the environment, and increasing transportation choices into the stimulus package currently in development, even if it temporarily delays job creation.
Americans are also very interested in energy conservation. Eighty-nine percent agreed that transportation investments should support the goals of reducing energy use, with 58 percent agreeing strongly. Three in four of those polled also want the stimulus plan to support the reduction of carbon emissions that lead to global warming and climate change.
The 2009 Growth and Transportation Survey was conducted by Hart Research Associates, January 5-7. Hart Research Associates telephoned 1,005 adults living in the U.S. The study has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.
Transportation for America is a broad coalition of housing, environmental, public health, urban planning, transportation and other organizations, seeking to align national, state, and local transportation policies with an array of issues like economic opportunity, climate change, energy security, health, housing and community development. NAR is a member of Transportation For America.
The National Association of Realtors® “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.2 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.
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House Appropriations Recovery Bill Could Shortchange Crumbling Infrastructure, Undermine Existing Public Transit and Rail Initiatives
January 16, 2009By Transportation for America
Updated analysis as of 1-16-09 3:30 p.m.
WASHINGTON — The American Economic Recovery and Reinvestment proposal coming out of the House Appropriations Committee today fails to move America forward in reducing our oil dependency, creating opportunity for all Americans, and making us competitive for the 21st Century economy.
| Contact: David Goldberg 202-412-7930 david.goldberg@T4America.org |
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| Download this Release (.pdf) |
The House Appropriations has two key shortcomings, especially in comparison to the superior proposal put forward last week by Congressman Oberstar, the chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee:
First, the proposal only pays lip service to ensuring that the recovery bill puts Americans back to work by maintaining and repairing our crumbling roads and bridges. Without explicit language prioritizing a fix-it-first approach to infrastructure investment written into the legislation, federal funds could be wasted adding new highways to a system the House bill describes as “crumbling”. This would have the effect of digging ourselves a deeper hole of oil dependence, even as we invest stimulus money elsewhere in the hope of finding a way out.
Second, the House Appropriations proposal does nothing to provide immediate help for America’s transit systems, which employ thousands of hard working Americans and transport millions more to their jobs every day. Even as ridership has surged over the last year, transit providers have been hit by falling local revenues and volatile fuel prices. Without federal funds to keep our existing public transportation operating, transit agencies in towns and cities across the country will be forced to institute massive layoffs, service cuts and fare increases for the American workers who are already struggling the most to make ends meet. If the federal government can provide billions of dollars in operating assistance to our banks and financial institutions on Wall Street, then it should be able to provide operating assistance to a transit system used by Main Street Americans.
President-elect Obama’s nominee for transportation secretary, Ray LaHood, can see this firsthand: The transit system in his home town of Peoria, IL just this week announced possible deep service cuts and higher fares in the face of a potential $3 million budget shortfall. These jobs and services can be saved with an investment that is modest in the scheme of the recovery package. The significantly superior stimulus proposal by Rep. James Oberstar, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, would solve these issues with a $2 billion assistance fund.
In fact, Transportation for America finds the Oberstar bill to be far more likely to provide a meaningful stimulus while guiding investment to areas of greatest need and productivity. As Oberstar designed it, the measure would ensure the job creation we need immediately without slowing the process down with a lot of red tape.
Below is an analysis showing the differences between the House Appropriations proposal and Congressman Oberstar’s forward-thinking approach:
*Updated analysis as of 1.16.09 3:30 p.m.
| House Transportation Recovery Proposal | Oberstar Transportation Recovery Proposal | |
| Highway and Bridge Projects | $30 billion | $30.25 billion |
| Transit Projects and Service | $9 billion | $12 billion |
| Capital Investment Grants (New Ready-to-go Transit Construction through the New Starts Program) | $1 billion | $2.5 billion |
| Assistance for Transit Upgrades, Repair, & Purchase of New Equipment | $8 billion | $7.5 billion |
| Energy Assistance to Prevent Transit Layoffs & Fare Increases | – | $2 billion |
| Amtrak and Intercity Rail | $1.1 billion | $5 billion |
| Total Roads and Bridges Funding | $30 billion | $30.25 billion |
| Percentage Roads and Bridges | 75% | 64% |
| Total Transit & Rail Funding | $10.1 billion | $17 billion |
| Percentage Transit & Rail | 25% | 36% |
| Timeline for Projects | Priority will be given to projects that can award bids in 120 days. | Priority will be given to projects that can award bids in 90 days. |
| Accountability Measures | All bids & projects must be posted on a special website, including a description, purpose, and justification for each project. A Recovery Act Accountability and Transparency Board will be created to review management of recovery dollars. The seven member board includes Inspectors General and Deputy Cabinet secretaries. | Recipients must submit a plan of projects within 90 days, then provide regular updates on the status of bids, contracts, and construction, and the number of jobs created by projects. (Reports at 30 days, 60 days, 120 days, 180 days, one year, and three years) |
| Distribution of Funding | Priority should be given to projects that are located in areas that have lower per capita income and higher unemployment rates than the national average, as well projects included in an approved Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and/or Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), are projected for completion within a three-year time frame. | Requires recipients of funds to ensure that the money is distributed equitably throughout the state and metropolitan areas. |
| Funding for Metro Governments (in addition to States) | $7.39 billion of the highway & bridge funds sub-allocated to Metropolitan Planning Organizations. | Requires highway & bridge funding to be sub-allocated to Metropolitan Planning Organizations. |
U.S. PIRG challenges states to invest in 21st century transportation infrastructure
January 16, 2009By Andrew Bielak
In the run up to the economic stimulus, we’ve been taking a hard look at some of the transportation project lists that states are putting together.
While many of details of the federal stimulus are still being hashed out, our analysis of these state project lists has made one thing quite clear — if we expect to create more jobs, protect our climate, and reduce our dependence on oil, our state and federal governments need to do a much better job of investing in green infrastructure projects that will help us rebuild and retool our economy.
Transportation for America partner and national advocacy organization U.S. PIRG has now released a new report, “Economic Stimulus or More Misguided Spending,” that takes an in-depth look at some of the project lists from the states, and finds some troubling trends:
Most stimulus project lists from state DOTs prioritize new highways while paying relatively little attention to repairing crumbling bridges and roads and even less emphasis on forward-looking transportation options, such as public transit and intercity rail. As a result, they are contrary to President-elect Obama’s stated intention to use smart spending to reduce America’s dependence on oil and emissions of global warming pollution.
U.S. PIRG and its state partners are pushing the report in key states across the country, and have already garnered attention in California, Connecticut, Arizona, and Florida.
With your help, we can push our state governments and federal lawmakers to match their words with actions by investing in a clean, green, 21st century economy. Check out the PIRG report and Transportation For America’s analysis to see how your state wants to spend its stimulus dollars, and be sure to sign our petition urging Congress to fix what’s broken before committing billions to expanding roads and highways.
Today’s Headlines — 01/16/08
January 16, 2009By Andrew Bielak
- The transportation portion of the stimulus bill comes under heavy scrutiny. (Wall Street Journal)
- The Center for Public Integrity looks at how states plan to spend federal money on infrastructure.
- Central Indiana moves closer to implementing a broad vision for mass transit. (Indianapolis Star)
- Cuts in funding for school buses leaves many students with few good options. (CNN)
- House Transportation and Infrastructure Chair James Oberstar pushes for accountable investment in infrastructure in the economic recovery bill. (The Hill)
- Some observers question whether the projects included in the stimulus plan will help put us on the path towards energy independence. (Los Angeles Times)
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- Saving a transit system and turning the tide for the future of a mid-sized city
May 15, 2012 - U.S. communities step up, hoping a strong federal commitment to infrastructure will follow
May 10, 2012 - Graphic: A closer look at the Senate MAP-21 vote by state
March 27, 2012 - Fixing the House bill: Cutting regulatory burdens and bureaucracy
March 15, 2012 - Fixing the House bill: reducing air pollution by providing more travel options
March 13, 2012
- Saving a transit system and turning the tide for the future of a mid-sized city
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