All posts from the month of April 2010
Today’s Headlines – 4/23/10
April 23, 2010By Transportation for America
A key Republican negotiator on climate change says tackling immigration first would kill the bill’s chances. (Politico)
The climate bill contains several major hotspots, such as offshore drilling, existing environmental regulations and the gas tax. (Mother Jones)
Deep cuts to transit and education in cities throughout the country could be alleviated with a stronger jobs bill. (HuffPost)
Some see momentum building against Los Angeles fare hikes slated for July 1. (StreetsblogLA)
And, LA mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s 30/10 transit plan got a thumbs up from the area transportation authority. (BusinessWeek)
Today’s Headlines – 4/22/10
April 22, 2010By Transportation for America
Rallies to “save transit” are happening throughout the country. (Grist)
Florida cyclists are upping the pressure to increase bike safety. (Florida Weekly)
Salt Lake City has a new “complete streets” policy. (Tribune)
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa participated in some direct lobbying with President Obama on Southern California’s 30/10 transit plan. (LAist)
And, Chicago seniors will keep their free rides on local transit. (Tribune)
Today’s Headlines – 4/21/10
April 21, 2010By Transportation for America
Newspapers across the country reported on yesterday’s transit cuts protests. (LA Times, AP, NY Times)
Fast and reliable rail service made Europe’s aviation crisis more bearable. (Progressive Fix)
A Republican Congressman embraced a Vehicle Miles Traveled tax as an alternative to the existing gas tax. (Examiner)
Senator John Kerry downplayed talk of a fuel tax in the pending climate bill. (Hill)
And, Georgia legislators are close to a deal on transportation funding. (Atlanta Business Chronicle)
Rallies across the country call attention to national transit funding crisis, as riders begin to join forces
April 20, 2010By Transportation for America
Deep Cuts at More Than 150 Agencies Shown on Newly Launched Interactive Map and Database
NATIONWIDE – Riders who rely on public transportation and transit workers across the country today launched a series of actions over several days to rally support for emergency funding to prevent draconian service cuts, layoffs and fare hikes in more than 150 systems nationwide.
The Transportation Equity Network (TEN), an alliance of local and state groups across the country, held a “Save Transit!” day of action as Transportation for America (T4America) launched a new and expanded online database capturing the thousands of service cuts and fare hikes across the country.
“At a time when our national economy is on the brink of recovery, and Americans across the country are demanding increased access to transportation options, transit systems should not have to cut service and raise fares, but should have the support of Congress,” said James Corless, campaign director for T4America. “This is a national crisis that needs a national response, now.”
In a headlining event in Atlanta, Georgia, where MARTA is faced with eliminating 30 percent of its routes, members of the local Amalgamated Transit Union, community leaders and transit supporters rallied and painted huge red Xes on buses and trains to illustrate what the severity of local cuts should the transit system receive no Congressional or state aid before June.
“America’s transit systems are in crisis just when we need them the most – for access to jobs, education, health care and opportunity,” said Laura Barrett, executive director of the Transportation Equity Network. “Service cuts and fare hikes are hitting low-income people, people of color, students, retirees and the disabled especially hard, and they’re robbing all of us of a proven engine of economic growth. TEN is calling on Congress to keep America moving by letting our transit agencies use federal funds for operating expenses.”
The “Save Transit!” rallies are being organized by TEN, a non-profit coalition that is raising awareness about the impact of service cuts and fare increases on mass transit riders around the country. Between April 22 and April 28, protests and rallies will take place in Atlanta, Georgia; Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles, California; Minneapolis, Minnesota; St. Paul, Minnesota; San Francisco, California; Kansas City, Missouri; and St. Louis, Missouri.
For more information, including interviews with participants or photos from the events, please contact Paula Chrin Dibley at 202-478-6138 or pchrin@mrss.com.
Today’s Headlines – 4/20/10
April 20, 2010By Transportation for America
Atlanta is marking buses and trains with giant red X’s in protest of service cuts. (WP)
Senator John Kerry said this as the right moment for energy legislation. (Politico)
The worst-case scenario the surface transportation law: four years of temporary extensions. (Streetsblog)
Milwaukee County in Wisconsin could levy a half-cent sales tax to fund commuter rail and bus service. (Forbes)
And, conservatives are unhappy with Obama’s Republican DOT Secretary Ray LaHood. (American Spectator)
Today’s Headlines – 4/19/10
April 19, 2010By Transportation for America
Flights grounded in Europe due to volcanic ash have forced travelers – including some famous ones – to seek alternatives. (WSJ)
New Jersey transit officials expect large fare hikes to result in ridership declines. (Star-Ledger)
The proposal for a Southeast Michigan regional transit authority received a key newspaper endorsement. (Detroit Free-Press)
Overhead wires are creating knots for Washington DC’s streetcar project. (WP)
And, the Alaska Legislature passed a gas tax as an “insurance policy” in case revenues fall short. (Alaska Dispatch)
Today’s Headlines – 4/16/10
April 16, 2010By Transportation for America
Ohio Congressman Steven LaTourette “backpedaled” on his remarks ridiculing bicyclists. (Streetsblog)
Senators Kerry, Graham and Lieberman will release their climate bill on April 26. (Nat’l Journal)
In the mean time, Obama’s chief of staff Rahm Emanuel huddled with environmental leaders on the substance of the bill. (NY Times)
Montgomery County, Maryland is updating its zoning code, but the amount of new density allowed may be limited. (Yglesias)
And, cartoonist Tom Toles took on the DC Metro system. (WP)
Today’s Headlines – 4/15/10
April 15, 2010By Transportation for America
New Jersey’s transit board voted to raise fares, though less than initially proposed. (Star-Ledger)
Automakers are asking Washington for more electric-car subsidies. (WSJ)
As Earth Day turns 40, some note a shift from NIMBY to YIMBY as support for smart growth and green development has grown. (NRDC Blog)
One thing that will not happen on Earth Day: the Senate’s release of a climate bill outline. (Nat’l Journal)
And, nearly 1,000 Southern California construction workers demonstrated in favor of a 30/10 transit plan for Los Angeles. (LA Daily News)
T4 America outlines priorities in letter to key Senate Environment and Public Works Committee members
April 14, 2010By Transportation for America
With the health care debate resolved and the U.S. Senate facing a full plate for the remainder of the year, Transportation for America joined with nearly 50 partners to explain our campaign priorities to a key Committee.
The letter was addressed to Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chair Barbara Boxer, Ranking Member Jim Inhofe and senior members Max Baucus and George Voinovich. In it, we outlined how America’s transportation policies have not kept up with changing priorities.
Our National Transportation System has little changed since the 1950’s, when gas was 20 cents a gallon and President Eisenhower launched the interstate highway system. Today, we live in a very different world. Americans are stuck with lengthy commutes that reduce time available for their families and community engagement. Bridges are crumbling, potentially reducing critical rural and urban access. Volatile energy prices are crippling rural economies and stranding Americans young and old. Populations are being exposed to greater levels of air pollution and having to walk on unsafe streets. Our dependence on foreign oil continues to be a threat to our climate and energy security.
Americans are ready for a new direction and demanding transportation options that are cheaper, cleaner and safer. We called on members to act on these demands.
Congress must move toward a 21st Century system that focuses on accountability and results, while creating jobs, providing access to opportunity for all Americans, reducing carbon emissions and our dependence on foreign oil, and improving America’s economic competitiveness. Congress should incorporate the following principles to craft a bold new transportation bill that gets America moving in the right direction.
The letter goes to outline a series of policy priorities that would bring about the change Americans are seeking, including:
- A 21st Century Transportation Network
- Improved Accountability and Measurable Results
- Prioritizing a State of Good Repair
- Access and Jobs for Those Most in Need
- A Balanced Playing Field
- Support for Sustainable Development
- Greener and Cleaner Freight
- Saving Lives and Promote Health
- Smart Financing
To read the entire letter, including policy details and a full list of signatories, click here.
Today’s Headlines – 4/14/10
April 14, 2010By Transportation for America
Pulitzer Prize recognition for reporting on distracted driving received kudos from Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. (DOT Blog)
An Ohio Congressman accused LaHood of being “clouded by drugs” for his decision to give bicyclists a voice in transportation policy. (AP)
The Chinese are looking to rail for their next economic boom. (NYT)
The Speaker of the Georgia House pushed back against state support for Atlanta’s struggling transit system. (Journal-Constitution)
And, New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand proposed $1 billion in loans and grants to enhance healthy, local food options. (Streetsblog)
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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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