May 22, 20178 yr Author Great news -- this project is also crucial for the California High Speed Rail to enter downtown San Francisco. ________ Feds flip, will approve funding for Caltrain electrification By Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez on May 22, 2017 11:50 am The transportation tussle between California and President Donald Trump is over: Caltrain electrification is on the way. About $647 million in federal grant funding for the Caltrain electrification project long-held by Trump’s administration will now move forward, the Federal Transportation Administration said Monday. “With the Caltrain project having met all of the statutory requirements, the FTA intends to sign the (full funding grant agreement),” the FTA wrote in a statement Monday morning. That funding was key for the project’s survival. “This has become a very happy morning around the office,” said Dan Lieberman, a spokesperson for Caltrain. “This project is so necessary, the fact that it will be signed off on is great for riders, for employers, the economy.” “This is good news all over, I can’t stop smiling,” he said, adding that he had just exited a meeting where the funding was revealed to some Caltrain staffers. Elaine Chao, who was appointed by Trump as U.S. Transportation Secretary, had initially said she would not sign off on the funding. MORE: http://www.sfexaminer.com/feds-flip-will-approve-funding-caltrain-electrification/ "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 22, 20178 yr Cool. Republicans labeled the Cali HSR project a "boondoggle." Really!? I just don't get why Republicans generally are so adamant against public transit. It makes no sense. Totally backward, and this attitude has held the USA back transit/passenger train-wise to this day... But in the end, I'm glad to see this project moving forward. Denver is proving commuter rail electrification need not be confined to Chicago and the East Coast's largest metros ... or to the 1930s and before...
May 22, 20178 yr Great news -- this project is also crucial for the California High Speed Rail to enter downtown San Francisco. ________ Feds flip, will approve funding for Caltrain electrification By Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez on May 22, 2017 11:50 am The transportation tussle between California and President Donald Trump is over: Caltrain electrification is on the way. About $647 million in federal grant funding for the Caltrain electrification project long-held by Trump’s administration will now move forward, the Federal Transportation Administration said Monday. “With the Caltrain project having met all of the statutory requirements, the FTA intends to sign the (full funding grant agreement),” the FTA wrote in a statement Monday morning. That funding was key for the project’s survival. “This has become a very happy morning around the office,” said Dan Lieberman, a spokesperson for Caltrain. “This project is so necessary, the fact that it will be signed off on is great for riders, for employers, the economy.” “This is good news all over, I can’t stop smiling,” he said, adding that he had just exited a meeting where the funding was revealed to some Caltrain staffers. Elaine Chao, who was appointed by Trump as U.S. Transportation Secretary, had initially said she would not sign off on the funding. MORE: http://www.sfexaminer.com/feds-flip-will-approve-funding-caltrain-electrification/ Now we just have to hope Trump/Heritage Foundation don't win out on the budget and zero out the entire FTA 5309 Core Capacity Program as was proposed in his skinny budget. California, and the Bay Area have a number of projects coming up in the near- to middle-term that will be seeking 5309 Core Capacity funds.
May 23, 20178 yr A US District judge has ordered that Maryland's DC area suburban Purple Line be halted until the question of Metro ridership is reexamined - after he previously agreed that Metro's rider contribution had no effect on the Purple Line at all. Now he feels that Metro riders' loss of confidence in the system DOES have an impact on the Purple Line. :-( Unless his opinion is overturned by June 1st, $900 million in federal funds (about 15-20% of the project's cost) are at risk. Things are looking bleak. The history of this project is fairly amazing. It started out as a six-mile system using some existing C&O track and abandoned right of way at an estimated cost of $50 million. Then things ballooned into a 21 mile system for a bit under $6 billion. Remember: It's the Year of the Snake
May 23, 20178 yr There's a lot of discussion about the federal budget happening today. Yonah Freemark is posting a lot of good information today... TIGER and New Starts are likely to be eliminated, meaning that cities like Seattle and LA that were expecting a federal match for the local/state transportation funding are unlikely to get it. Their best bet may be to build their next phases using just local money, and hope that a future administration allows them to use that investment as a match to get federal funds for the next phase. Amtrak funding is being gutted because, according to the Trump administration, long-distance trains "are a vestige of when train service was the only viable transcontinental transportation option" and "today communities are served by an expansive aviation, interstate highway, and intercity bus network." Funding for the Northeast Corridor remains in place. There's talk about eliminating tolling restriction on interstates, allowing states to toll/privatize existing highways and rest areas.
May 23, 20178 yr ^ ^^ These last 2 posts suck pretty bad. Just shows the backwards direction of this country on passenger rail and transit (and a whole lot of other things) under Republicans... I'm very quick not to put all this on Trump because he's just the doofus of the moment... He's a product of Republicanism, not the other way around. Republicans regressive views and policies on trains and transit have harmed both for decades. Our systems are the laughing stock of the Industrial World thanks to Republicans. My question: why are Americans so dumb as to keep electing Republicans?
May 23, 20178 yr Republicans regressive views and policies on trains and transit have harmed both for decades. Our systems are the laughing stock of the Industrial World thanks to Republicans. My question: why are Americans so dumb as to keep electing Republicans? It's simple -- because when the Democrats controlled Congress at the beginning of Obama's presidency they FAILED TO DELIVER on their promises, yet again. I love the Democratic Party platform -- but the Obama/Pelosi/Reid leadership did not enact near enough of it to make a difference.
May 23, 20178 yr My question: why are Americans so dumb as to keep electing Republicans? My answer: Because Americans are dumb. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
May 23, 20178 yr I'm not so sure the Purple Line's perils are partisan. The chief opponents are NIMBY residents of Montgomery County which is very Democratic. The federal dollars involved are not at risk because of anything the Trump administration is or isn't doing. Maryland's Gov. Hogan (Republican) is not wild about it, but, for larger political purposes, he is a supporter. Remember: It's the Year of the Snake
May 23, 20178 yr Author As long as people continue to make their wishes known, Amtrak won't be cut. There's too much bipartisan support for it and for federal transit too. Most Congressfolk that we spoke to last month are all very supportive of these programs and of the FAST Act that funds them. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 23, 20178 yr I'm not so sure the Purple Line's perils are partisan. The chief opponents are NIMBY residents of Montgomery County which is very Democratic. The federal dollars involved are not at risk because of anything the Trump administration is or isn't doing. Maryland's Gov. Hogan (Republican) is not wild about it, but, for larger political purposes, he is a supporter. Hogan's the man who, just 6 months into his administration back in 2015, deep-6ed Baltimore's Red Line, over a decade in the making and something like $250M spent -- a massive subway/LRT project which had been meticulously planned by prior governors and mayors (including Martin O'Malley) green-lighted by Obama. Oh yeah, they all happened to be Democrats... The Red Line would have connected popular neighborhoods and destinations like Fells Point, Canton, Harborplace, East Harbor, Social Security/Security Mall and MARC rail, as well as bound together Baltimore's existing LRT and HRT. So let's not be blinded by whatever rose pedals he's tossing the DC suburbs, who already have excellent Metro Rail service, btw. Hogan acted as a typical Republican and kicked Maryland's largest city right in the economic solar plexus in so doing.
May 23, 20178 yr Republicans regressive views and policies on trains and transit have harmed both for decades. Our systems are the laughing stock of the Industrial World thanks to Republicans. My question: why are Americans so dumb as to keep electing Republicans? It's simple -- because when the Democrats controlled Congress at the beginning of Obama's presidency they FAILED TO DELIVER on their promises, yet again. I love the Democratic Party platform -- but the Obama/Pelosi/Reid leadership did not enact near enough of it to make a difference. Back in the day, everyone pretty much agreed on common goals, and the difference between Democrats and Republicans was the way in which they thought we should achieve those goals. Now we can't even agree on the common goals. Republicans have gone so far in the "starve the beast" / "government can't do anything right" direction that it has poisoned the whole conversation. Democrats are now the centrist party on most issues, begging for a compromise, while Republicans are the far right, willing to shut down the government over budget debates and eliminate entire programs that they don't like. What we don't have is a far left party, with a bold platform like, we're going to invest $10 trillion of federal money into improving public transit in every American city.
May 23, 20178 yr Republicans regressive views and policies on trains and transit have harmed both for decades. Our systems are the laughing stock of the Industrial World thanks to Republicans. My question: why are Americans so dumb as to keep electing Republicans? It's simple -- because when the Democrats controlled Congress at the beginning of Obama's presidency they FAILED TO DELIVER on their promises, yet again. I love the Democratic Party platform -- but the Obama/Pelosi/Reid leadership did not enact near enough of it to make a difference. I disagree; they did make a difference under the threat of Tea Party (Tea Bagger) threats and craziness.. Obama "failed to deliver" because too many weak-kneed Dems were too skittish to get behind him for fear of purple state/district backlash. His jobs and infrastructure bills would have addressed many economic ills -- as it was, even what Obama was able to get through helped right the ship the Bushies were sinking... TIGER was a very worthwhile program granting transit projects in large cities.
May 23, 20178 yr Hogan's the man who, just 6 months into his administration back in 2015, deep-6ed Baltimore's Red Line, over a decade in the making and something like $250M spent -- a massive subway/LRT project which had been meticulously planned by prior governors and mayors (including Martin O'Malley) green-lighted by Obama. Oh yeah, they all happened to be Democrats... The Red Line would have connected popular neighborhoods and destinations like Fells Point, Canton, Harborplace, East Harbor, Social Security/Security Mall and MARC rail, as well as bound together Baltimore's existing LRT and HRT. So let's not be blinded by whatever rose pedals he's tossing the DC suburbs, who already have excellent Metro Rail service, btw. Hogan acted as a typical Republican and kicked Maryland's largest city right in the economic solar plexus in so doing. As a Montgomery County resident, I don't mind seeing Baltimore lose one in Annapolis now and then. When I first moved here in 1985, it was said that after you live in MoCo for ten years, you're allowed to declare Baltimore a dependent. At the time Baltimore controlled the state legislature and benefitted mightily; that's not so true any more. Remember: It's the Year of the Snake
May 23, 20178 yr ^But Montco has both high-quality DC Metro (2 substantial Red Line branches) as well MARC commuter rail service... Baltimore's rail network is not yet fully realized. I tend to root for quality transit everywhere, not just in select places.
May 31, 20178 yr well what do ya know, maybe ny and nj can play nice together after all? rail to the wheel! MTA Plans to Study New Jersey Rail Service to Staten Island The MTA has amended its four-year budget to allot $4 million to study potentially extending a light rail service from New Jersey to stops in New York's Staten Island. NEW YORK (AP) — The MTA has amended its four-year budget to allot $4 million to study potentially extending a light rail service from New Jersey to stops in New York's Staten Island. According to the MTA, the system would carry commuters over the Bayonne Bridge and connect them with New Jersey Transit's Hudson-Bergen Light Rail. According to the Jersey Journal, the MTA has not reached out to Bayonne city officials yet. Staten Island officials and the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation had previously called for a light rail on the 13-mile-long West Shore area of the island. Two preliminary studies were conducted previously — one in 2004 and one in 2009. Both were initial analyses, looking at whether the corridor would support it and creating potential ridership numbers. more: https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/new-york/articles/2017-05-31/mta-plans-to-study-new-jersey-rail-service-to-staten-island
May 31, 20178 yr Can you imagine how much more potential could be met if all the various transit agencies in this region worked together in the best interests of the entire system? There are so many blocks to movement that are purely a result of inability to work together and nothing more.
June 1, 20178 yr The Purple Line in suburban Wash DC is in trouble. All non-essential work has been suspended. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dr-gridlock/wp/2017/05/31/maryland-suspends-key-elements-of-purple-line-work/?hpid=hp_local-news_purple-line-115pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory Remember: It's the Year of the Snake
June 17, 20177 yr after work yesterday i took a walk thru the new lirr penn station/western concourse/farley post office/moynihan hall that just opened -- it's pretty slick:
June 17, 20177 yr Those massive wayfinding murals and excellent signage ... should set an example for every transportation facility.
June 17, 20177 yr Author Inside, it still looks like a subway concourse. I know they're not done yet, so I make that comment without emotion. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 17, 20177 yr ^ well that was from yesterday, maybe today's news will stir some emotion? Vornado, Related and Skanska finalize deal to build $1.6B Moynihan Train Hall Development team will kick in $630M By Kathryn Brenzel | June 16, 2017 03:30PM Vornado Realty Trust, Related Companies and Skanska have finalized a deal with the state to build a $1.6 billion train hall at James A. Farley Post Office, paving the way for construction to begin. State officials announced the deal on Friday, roughly nine months after the companies were named the preferred design-build team for the project. The Empire State Development Corp., the state agency leading the development, inked a financial agreement with the team that requires $550 million from the state, $630 million from the developers and $420 million from Amtrak, the MTA and federal funds. The financial breakdown differs slightly from what was announced in September, increasing the developers’ cut by $30 million and decreasing the state’s by $20 million. During a conference call held on Friday, officials explained the difference as a product of financing at a better rate than what was initially expected. Additional information was not immediately available. Representatives for Related and Vornado declined to comment beyond a press release sent out by the governor’s office. Skanska didn’t immediately respond to messages seeking comment. The new train hall will feature 700,000 square feet of office and retail space and a 255,000-square-foot train hall for both Amtrak and the Long Island Rail Road. The project is expected to be complete in 2022. Friday’s announcement follows the opening of the train hall’s first phase, an Eighth Avenue entrance to the tracks below the post office. The news also comes as commuters brace themselves for a series of travel disruptions at Penn Station. On Thursday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo called on the MTA to withhold annual rent from Amtrak since trains won’t be able to use the tracks during repairs. During Friday’s conference call, a reporter noted that Amtrak officials said withholding rent would disrupt its ability to complete repairs. Cuomo responded that Amtrak should already have that money at the ready. more: https://therealdeal.com/2017/06/16/vornado-related-and-skanska-finalize-deal-to-build-1-6b-moynihan-train-hall/
July 6, 20177 yr Author The value of Manhattan real estate might actually crash unless the Hudson rail tunnels are rebuilt and augmented. But Trump wants to be known as the infrastructure president. I do believe he owns Manhattan real estate too.... Trump’s DOT withdraws from $24B New York-New Jersey tunnel project. @NYDailyNews https://t.co/Y40qsIkpBJ "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 6, 20177 yr Author Two Ohio Amtrak trains serve this station. Rail News: Passenger Rail USDOT to provide $537 million loan for Moynihan Train Hall project 7/6/2017 The U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Build America Bureau will provide a $537.1 million loan to the New York State Urban Development Corp. for the Moynihan Train Hall redevelopment project. The loan was issued through the department's Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program. The project calls for constructing a new train hall at the James A. Farley Post Office building across the street from New York City's Penn Station. The new hall is expected to relieve congestion at Penn Station, which is the busiest U.S. transportation facility, averaging 650,000 passengers each weekday. The Moynihan Train Hall will serve as the arrival and departure station for all Amtrak passengers in New York City, USDOT officials said in a press release. In addition, the hall will include ticketing and other facilities for MTA Long Island Rail Road. MORE: http://www.progressiverailroading.com/passenger_rail/news/USDOT-to-provide-537-million-loan-for-Moynihan-Train-Hall-project--52071 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 6, 20177 yr ^I'm glad Moynihan is moving forward so NYC will finally after 54 years once again get a real, distinguished looking train station as opposed to that cramped, underground Greyhound station they've been using to date... I note that this is a loan as opposed to an outright grant. New rules from republicans?
July 13, 20177 yr Author FL: The Builder of Florida's High-Speed Train is Getting into the Apartment Business RENE RODRIGUEZ ON JUL 13, 2017 SOURCE: MCCLATCHY July 13--The developer of Florida's upcoming Brightline train service is getting into the rental apartment business. Florida East Coast Industries (FECI), the company behind the $3 billion, 235-mile express train system that will eventually connect Orlando to Miami, is launching a new real estate brand, to be called Park-Line. The initial offering will be three towers of rental apartments. The first tower, due in 2018, will offer 290 units ranging from studios to two-bedrooms at Brightline's West Palm Beach station. The other two towers, to be at the MiamiCentral station in downtown, will offer a combined 816 units ranging from studios to three-bedrooms and are due in 2019. MORE: http://www.masstransitmag.com/news/12351110/the-builder-of-floridas-high-speed-train-is-getting-into-the-apartment-business Brightline’s MiamiCentral station closes on $130M in EB-5 financing MiamiCentral expected to begin train service in September By Katherine Kallergis | July 10, 2017 12:31PM Florida East Coast Industries just closed on $130 million in EB-5 financing for its mixed-use MiamiCentral station in downtown Miami, property records show. FECI affiliate DTS DT Retail LLC withdrew $85 million of the loan from CanAm Florida Regional Center. It’s the first project CanAm’s EB-5 center is financing, according to the regional center’s website. In Miami, major projects like Jeff Berkowitz’s SkyRise Miami are Paramount Miami Worldcenter pursuing EB-5 investors as traditional financing becomes more challenging to secure. FECI’s loan is for the retail component of MiamiCentral, which will span 180,000 square feet and include a 50,000-square-foot food hall with tenants like Miami Smokers, Blackbrick Chinese and Toasted Bagelry & Deli. Brightline, a $3 billion passenger rail, will offer express service, traveling at an average of 80 miles per hour between Miami and Orlando. After the first trains begin running between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, service will begin to Miami. The Orlando route and station have been delayed due to litigation. MORE: https://therealdeal.com/miami/2017/07/10/brightlines-miamicentral-station-closes-on-130m-in-eb-5-financing/ "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 15, 20177 yr [NOTE: cool time lapse video] Penn Station repairs: So far, so good http://abc7ny.com/traffic/penn-station-repairs-so-far-so-good/2217690/
July 20, 20177 yr Author Hammond may make a new commitment to the proposed South Shore extension https://t.co/XPFfR75oV0 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 25, 20177 yr Author Is it too late for Connecticut to take NE Ohio back?? :) Joint venture selected to operate new Hartford commuter rail Posted on July 25, 2017 A joint venture of TransitAmerica Services and Alternate Concepts has been selected as the service provider that will operate and manage service on the CTrail Hartford Line — the passenger rail service currently under construction that will provide more frequent train service between New Haven, Hartford, and Springfield, Conn. The rail line is anticipated to launch in May 2018. When service begins, the line will more than double the daily round trips currently offered in the corridor, providing more frequent, convenient, and faster rail service to those living, working, and traveling through central Connecticut. MORE: http://www.metro-magazine.com/rail/news/724502/joint-venture-selected-to-operate-new-hartford-commuter-rail "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 28, 20177 yr Author BEFORE AND AFTER: Exhibit Explores 100 Years of 7 Train's Impact on Queens https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20170725/sunnyside/new-york-transit-museum-7-train-minutes-to-midtown-exhibit#slide-3 This came to my attention after CNN covered this story.... This metro station has become legendary throughout China because of its bizarre appearance in the middle of nowhere http://cnn.it/2veh91b "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 29, 20177 yr ^^7 Line photos are more empirical evidence that rapid transit is more than just a tool to ease current auto congestion, it builds (and humanizes) cities.
July 29, 20177 yr Author And I'll bet that in 10 to 15 years the landscape surrounding that remote subway station in China is going to look very, very different. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 29, 20177 yr Author https://www.fra.dot.gov/eLib/details/L19036 Friday, September 29, 2017 FRA Public Affairs [email protected] FRA Releases Georgia-Tennessee High-Speed Rail Record of Decision High-Speed Rail System Will Connect Atlanta to Chattanooga WASHINGTON— The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today released a Tier I combined Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision (FEIS/ROD) for the High-Speed Ground Transportation (HSGT) project that will ultimately connect Atlanta to Chattanooga, Tennessee. The FEIS/ROD marks the completion of the Tier I environmental review process under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and documents FRA’s identification of a preferred corridor. “This project will benefit both Atlanta and Chattanooga with more efficient transportation, while also providing rail access to the rural communities in the region,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao. “This has been a long time in the making and represents a response to numerous transportation needs along the I-75 corridor.” The HSGT project would run approximately 120 miles along Interstate 75 and provide a competitive and more reliable transportation choice for people traveling between Atlanta and Chattanooga. The chosen corridor includes eight rail stations and is estimated to take 88 minutes of travel time from the first to last station along the corridor. The route would begin on the east side of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (HJAIA) at the proposed HJAIA/Southern Crescent Station and end at a proposed downtown Chattanooga station. “This combined FEIS and ROD is a product of nine years’ work from FRA and its state partners,” said FRA Deputy Administrator Heath Hall. “The administration is working diligently to remove barriers, which slow down the environmental process so that people can get to work rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure.” The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) studied the corridor as part of Georgia’s 1997 Intercity Rail Plan, which recommended further study – specifically with an emphasis on high-speed rail service. During the scoping process of the study, GDOT and the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) identified 15 unique corridors between Atlanta and Chattanooga. GDOT and TDOT then subjected those corridors to a screening process and ultimately narrowed down three corridors for the FEIS. The FEIS/ROD provides information on train technology, maximum operating speeds and station location options. However, decisions on these issues, as well as the exact alignment within the preferred corridor, will be part of a Tier II NEPA study, if additional funding is secured. For more information on the HSGT project, visit FRA’s Atlanta – Chattanooga High-Speed Ground Transportation Page. ### "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 29, 20177 yr I remember that news when I lived in Knoxville. At the time, the whole region was high off the Atlanta Olympics and optimism was boundless.
October 6, 20177 yr mta is finally piloting mobile fare payment for the subway: TRANSIT MTA testing mobile ticket transfers between subways and LIRR, Metro-North By Vincent Barone [email protected] September 29, 2017 Commuter rail riders will soon be able to swipe into the subway with their mobile phones — no MetroCard required. The MTA has begun testing mobile phone payments at subway turnstiles as an expansion of its eTix app for Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North riders, amNewYork has learned. A turnstile in lower Manhattan’s Bowling Green station has been retrofitted with a scanner — similar to a QR code reader — for an internal testing period, according to MTA spokesman Kevin Ortiz. The agency plans to roll out the scanners at turnstiles in 14 key stations around the city before the end of the year, he said. http://www.amny.com/transit/mta-testing-mobile-ticket-transfers-between-subways-and-lirr-metro-north-1.14310124
October 30, 20177 yr Author Sununu does about-face on rail to try and lure Amazon http://www.unionleader.com/business/sununu-does-about-face-on-rail-to-try-and-lure-amazon--20171030 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 25, 20177 yr Author KCRG Dubuque pushing passenger rail service to Chicago KCRG Dubuque has wanted this for years, but… http://dlvr.it/Q2BwqC "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 9, 20187 yr Sixth person killed by Florida Brightline train: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/palm-beach/delray-beach/fl-pn-brightline-fatality-delray-20180408-story.html
April 9, 20187 yr Do Floridians not understand what trains are? “To an Ohio resident - wherever he lives - some other part of his state seems unreal.”
April 9, 20187 yr Do Floridians not understand what trains are? I do feel the prevailing IQ dip when I drive over that state line, and that's not saying much given what you have to drive through to get there.
April 9, 20187 yr Author Look at how long it took Houston motorists to realize that making turns into the path of light-rail trains was a sure way to total a car. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 18, 20187 yr Author If the Western Reserve (dubbed the Yankee Reserve by central and southern Ohioans 200 years ago) stayed as part of Connecticut, we might be enjoying something similar between Cleveland and Akron.... High-speed commuter rail line to open in Connecticut https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/high-speed-line-to-open-in-connecticut/ "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 19, 20187 yr throw another billion on the pile for east side access: https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/East-Side-Access-MTA-Project-Cost-Infrastructure-479628223.html
April 24, 20187 yr Author Exclusive: Rubio challenges legitimacy of Brightline financing https://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/local/shaping-our-future/all-aboard-florida/2018/04/24/exclusive-rubio-challenges-legitimacy-brightline-financing/545512002/ "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 2, 20187 yr Nashville light rail subway ballot issue goes down 2-1: https://www.newschannel5.com/news/nashville-transit-plan-dies-in-transit-referendum
May 2, 20187 yr Nashville light rail subway ballot issue goes down 2-1: https://www.newschannel5.com/news/nashville-transit-plan-dies-in-transit-referendum If ever there was a city that needed transit....what a mess down there!
May 2, 20187 yr It makes me wonder if any American city that doesn't already have a rail transit system will ever vote to build a new one. Given the 2-1 loss in Nashville, the 2-1 loss of Metromoves in Cincinnati 15 years ago, etc., I would say no. Meanwhile in cities that already have light rail or subways, citizens are regularly approving expansions, or in many cases, the transit authorities have the...authority...to build expansions without having to go to the voters to approve them.
Create an account or sign in to comment