October 14, 200717 yr Wow. What is the cost of such a bus? And if it runs solely on batteries, that must mean its weight is a lot greater? That's amazing that it doubled the hybrid's fuel efficency (meaning that regular busses average far less?), and if the battery storage issue can be solved (with that one Austin company patenting the paper-thin battery), then you can substantially reduce the weight!
October 14, 200717 yr Hey.... nice catch on that story MRNYC. Keep us updated on how the test runs go.
October 16, 200717 yr Dual routes suggested for high-speed rail system Michael Cabanatuan, Chronicle Staff Writer Saturday, October 13, 2007 San Francisco Chronicle Officials planning the route of a statewide high-speed rail system shouldn't have to choose between serving the most Bay Area travelers and the most direct route to Southern California - they should instead build two routes into the Bay Area, regional transportation officials said Friday. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission's planning committee voted to recommend that the California High Speed Rail Authority include tracks across both the Altamont and Pacheco passes in its plan for a speedy rail system that could carry passengers between the Bay Area and Southern California in 2-1/2 hours. ......... Online resources For more information about the Metropolitan Transportation Commission's recommendations for high-speed rail: links.sfgate.com/ZBEM View the California High Speed Rail Authority's draft environmental impact report: links.sfgate.com/ZBEN E-mail Michael Cabanatuan at [email protected]. http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/13/BARDSP6V6.DTL
October 19, 200717 yr Houston Metro backs LRT for five liness railwayage.com http://www.railwayage.com/breaking_news.shtml In a move surprising some, Houston's Metropolitan Transit Authority board Thursday gave its approval to pursue light rail transit for five proposed lines, instead of splitting efforts between LRT and Bus Rapid Transit. The MTA board, as expected, also voted to plan the proposed University LRT line on a Richmond-Wheeler route, a choice that has generated some controversy and outright opposition. "We now feel we can pass federal muster (to obtain 50 percent funding) by going to light rail on all five lines at once," board chairman David Wolff said. "We can't help but believe that people will be thrilled by it." MORE AT THE LINK ABOVE
October 21, 200717 yr i snapped a pic of one of the new nyc busstops this morning. i'll say this, they totally suck in the rain, i think you can see how the wind and rain blow right thru them (vs the old ones). i got soaked waiting in the rain last week and everyone waiting complained about them -- curse those backroom deals! :whip:
October 21, 200717 yr They've been installing these things like crazy. Its truly not a "shelter" and more like an awning. These things are almost as bad as the old shaker rapid "shelters"
October 22, 200717 yr Rail cheaper for commuters, study says But fares wouldn't cover costs; subsidies needed, experts warn Sunday, October 21, 2007 BY JOHN MULCAHY The Ann Arbor News A new cost study shows people commuting into Ann Arbor from points north would save a substantial amount of money if they chose to leave their cars at home and use a proposed commuter rail line. But the financial analysis also shows that, like existing commuter rail lines around the country, fares wouldn't cover the operation costs. Backers of the Ann Arbor to Howell line would have to secure some sort of additional funding or subsidy in excess of $2 million a year. They hope to find the money through a combination of government grants and contributions from employers whose employees stand to benefit by taking the train. MORE AT THE LINK BELOW Funding commitments thus far are: $376,000 from the Michigan Department of Transportation to upgrade tracks and rail cars. $250,000 a year for three years from the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority. $10,000 a year for three years from the Northfield Township Downtown Development Authority. The University of Michigan and the federal Environmental Protection Agency have said they would commit to paying train fares for their employees who commute. John Mulcahy can be reached at 734-994-6858 or [email protected]. http://www.mlive.com/news/annarbornews/index.ssf?/base/news-24/119294910582550.xml&coll=2
October 23, 200717 yr http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2007/oct/21/light-rail-gains-under-smart-growth/?printer=1/ Light rail gains under Smart Growth MATA planners eye public transit system By Kevin McKenzie Sunday, October 21, 2007 With Smart Growth as a guide for redeveloping its central business district, Germantown wants an urban core that's walkable. There are major plans for changing streets and parking areas that eventually will affect anyone who drives. But one topic that has received little notice so far is one that gets much more attention in many other cities: public transit. It's one key to following the Smart Growth principle of providing a variety of transportation choices. MORE AT THE LINK ABOVE
October 23, 200717 yr -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- More Ways To Make The City Move October 22, 2007 Editorial New York Times Mr. Mayor, for Your Consideration; There’s a little dance that visitors and even many longtime New Yorkers do on emerging from the subway. A step forward, two back, one to the side, a glance up the street, then down — until, with any luck, bearings are found. So imagine the simple genius of the city’s latest innovation, directional decals on the sidewalks outside subway exits. We applaud Mayor Michael Bloomberg for acting on the idea, which was offered by a Times reader last year. Mr. Bloomberg has shown that he’s not afraid to try what works, something he demonstrated again recently with his bold congestion pricing proposal, which would charge a weekday toll to most drivers on Manhattan’s busiest streets. While that complex issue is being hammered out by an appointed commission, we’d like the mayor to consider a few other easy, common-sense changes to bring order to the streets of the Apple: Taxi stands. Anyone who has tried to get a taxi in New York in the rain, particularly at rush hour, knows that the system is broken. Hailers maneuver along the street, and to alternate corners, to get an edge over other taxi-seekers who have been waiting longer. Taxis waste gasoline, and needlessly spew out fumes, as they cruise for fares. Taxi stands, which work just fine in Paris, could be strategically placed around New York. People and cabs would line up. It would be civilized. Residential parking permits, for a fee. Relatively few New Yorkers take on the expense and hassles of owning a car in the city — which is good, since it encourages the use of public transit. But there are still plenty of drivers, including many from out of town, who take advantage of the city’s generosity and park on the streets free. The city could get more cars off the street and raise badly needed money for mass-transit improvements if it set aside spots for residents for an annual fee. The mayor has not ruled out residential permits as part of a congestion pricing plan. But as cities from Berkeley, Calif., to Chicago and Baltimore have demonstrated, the idea works on its own. Take away parking permits from city employees. Those vehicles that cavalierly park in front of hydrants or bus stops all too often do so with the impunity that comes with a privileged card placed on the dashboard. Virtually every city agency issues these permits, and there is no reliable count of how many are floating around. But they number in the thousands, including a lot of counterfeits. It’s time to end the free parking. This is New York, not Monopoly. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/22/opinion/22mon4.html?ex=1350705600&en=ba428fd86bb2dbe8&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss
October 23, 200717 yr Transit planning off the rails Action has been promised for years, but don't sell your car just yet By ANDREW CHILDERS, Staff Writer Annapolis Capital Gazette Published October 22, 2007 On May 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy stood before Congress and vowed an American would make the 240,000 mile trip to the moon by the end of the decade. Eight years and an estimated $9 billion later, Neil Armstrong made good on the boast. In the decades since the moon landing, a stream of Anne Arundel officials have pledged to connect the region to Baltimore and Washington, a daunting 40-mile trip. And commuters are still waiting. Though ferries, maglev trains traveling along magnetic rails and light rail have been touted in recent years as alternatives to building more highways, pouring asphalt remains the default approach to transportation planning. MORE AT THE LINK BELOW http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/10_22-20/TOP
October 24, 200717 yr Author That was a horrible, poorly researched article that was filled with tired, old car manufacturers' PR trash used to sidetrack transit. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
October 25, 200717 yr the new ny penn station plans move forward w/ a public review process: Transit Public Review Process Of Moynihan Station Begins October 23, 2007 The first stage of the public review process for the new Moynihan Station is now underway. An environment "scoping" document released to the public today outlines plans for a new Moynihan station to be built within the existing Farley Post Office building. They also include plans to rebuild Penn Station and construct a new Madison Square Garden on the west side of the Farley building. The city must also review elements of the redevelopment project under its Uniform Land Use Review Procedure. The public will be able to comment on the plans between now and December 17th. To review the document, log on to www.nylovesbiz.com/moynihanstation. http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=5&aid=74857
October 25, 200717 yr more in ny, some political guff about the westside manhattan #7 train extension: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7_Subway_Extension Transit MTA Board Members Voice Opposition To 7 Line Extension Bid October 22, 2007 Last week the MTA announced plans to move forward with the extension of the number 7 line, but as it turns out, not all MTA officials are onboard with the plan. NY1 Transit reporter Bobby Cuza explains in the following report. When the MTA went looking for contractors to build the extension of the number 7 line to Manhattan's far west side, exactly one construction team submitted a bid. Even though there was no competition, agency negotiators announced Friday that they were happy with the price they worked out for the tunneling work about $1.1 billion, or just barely over budget. MORE AT THE LINK BELOW http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=5&aid=74826 edit: never mind all that scwabbling, per the daily news it's an official 'go' now: $1.14B contract approved for extension of No. 7 subway line -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thursday, October 25th 2007, 4:00 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The MTA board Wednesday approved a $1.14 billion contract for the extension of the No. 7 subway line from Times Square to the far West Side. The tunneling contract is the first of two major contracts for the extension that would feature one new station at 34th St. and 11th Ave. The city has committed to paying $2.1 billion for the project that's central to Mayor Bloomberg's vision to redevelop the area and create a new commercial and residential neighborhood. The unresolved issue of who would pay for costs above the city's commitment will be taken up later by the city and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, CEO Elliot Sander said. The extension is scheduled to be completed in 2013.
October 25, 200717 yr I found this on Canada's VIA Rail website. It describes a hybrid diesel/hydrogen technology, which I have never heard of. This must be a rail line with no catenaries, since they cannot just feed the energy from braking back into the power bus. I wonder if this could be used for the Ohio Hub. www.viarail.ca/planner/en_plan_viar_part.html#jreast East Japan Railway Company (JR East) Serving 16 million travellers daily, East Japan Railways Co. (also known as JR East) is the largest passenger railway company in the world. JR East operates a network spanning 7 526 kilometres, with five dedicated high-speed Shinkansen lines between Tokyo and major cities in east Honshu, the largest island in the Japanese archipelago and home to 75% of Japan's population. Always on the cutting edge, JR East is currently developing the first train to run on hybrid diesel/hydrogen technology. This train, dubbed the New Energy Train, can reach speeds of 100 km/h and will consume 20% less energy than conventional diesel trains, as its batteries are recharged every time the train brakes. It is also quieter than conventional trains. The first hybrid cars should be operating in networks serving the prefectures of Nagano and Yamanashi by summer 2007
October 25, 200717 yr Author I had posted some video links and other info about this equipment at: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=6001.msg219951#msg219951 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
October 25, 200717 yr I had posted some video links and other info about this equipment at: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=6001.msg219951#msg219951 Thanks. Hey, they were talking about you on Cle public radio yesterday about your speaking engagement tomorrow. Better get your speech done! :)
October 25, 200717 yr Author It's done. I'm recycling an old presentation. But it will be new to the Lt. Guv. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
October 29, 200717 yr New Service Allows Commuters To Get Subway Directions On Their Cells October 26, 2007 New York City Transit's Trip Planner is going mobile. Officials announced Friday that the program will allow commuters to download subway and bus directions onto any cell phone, BlackBerry or other PDA. The "On The Go!" service will also allow riders to check for any service alerts before heading into the subway. To get the travel information, New Yorkers can log onto www.tripplanner.mta.info/mobile. http://www.ny1.com/ny1/NewsBeats/transit.jsp
October 30, 200717 yr Author From Railway Age www.railwayage.com Portland eyes more streetcar routes Portland, Ore., city planners are considering expansion of the Portlan d streetcar into a full-fledged network criss-crossing the city, and plan to seek neighborhood input to determine which areas would welcome such service first. ........ +++++++++++++++++++++++++ North Carolina Railway studies adding extra track The North Carolina Railroad (NCRR) announced today a study to determine the costs to build track for rush-hour rail service on its existing line from Goldsboro to Greensboro. Kansas City, Mo.-based engineering firm HNTB Cos. was awarded the study contract of $400,000, funded by NCRR revenue. ....... +++++++++++++++++++++++++ Amtrak pledges revisiting Pioneer service In a letter Wednesday to U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, Amtrak President and CEO Alex Kummant said Amtrak would "immediately" evaluate resumption of Pioneer passenger train service in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Colorado if an $8.2 billion funding bill is approved by Congress. ..... +++++++++++++++++++++++++ Charlotte LRT to debut Nov. 24 Charlotte, N.C., light rail revenue service will begin operations Saturday, Nov. 24, officials of the Charlotte Area Transit System have announced, characterizing the commencement of service as "on time." CATS Deputy Director John Muth said some minor work continues on station platforms, but major construction is "finished" on the 9.6-mile line. ....... +++++++++++++++++++++++++ Railway Age conference: Passenger, freight rail interests in tune If there was one recurring theme at Railway Age's 14th Passenger Trains on Freight Railroads Conference, held Oct. 22-23 in Washington, D.C., it was this: Passenger rail and freight rail operators share common goals and common interests, and each understands that the health and long term growth of both are interdependent. Freight railroads are facing some tough challenges: strained capacity stemming from record volume growth, a need for public investment capital to supplement private funds, and the emergence of various interests—legislators and disaffected shippers, among others—that have banded together in an attempt to impose re-regulation and other sanctions that will ultimately cripple the industry. For their part, passenger rail interests—carrying a banner that declares, "This is one industry"—stand ready to do their part in ensuring the railroads' future. ....... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 2, 200717 yr Panel dreams up $1B Pittsburgh transit link By Justin Vellucci TRIBUNE-REVIEW Thursday, November 1, 2007 A network of automated, electric cars could carry riders underground or on elevated light rail between Downtown, Oakland and Allegheny County's airport corridor on a more than $1 billion transit system introduced Wednesday by County Chief Executive Dan Onorato's Transportation Action Team. The 15-member team, which Onorato formed in March 2006, outlined the proposal as a key finding of its short- and long-term transit goals for the region. .....
November 4, 200717 yr Good article today in Parade magazine (Sunday PD insert). Nothing we don't already know, but it is always good to see some of this in more mainstream press: With high gas prices and airport delays, could we make our trains... A Better Way To Travel? By Peter Richmond Published: November 4, 2007 EDITOR'S NOTE: After our November 4 issue went to press, the Senate approved the Lautenberg-Lott Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act on October 30. The bill is now before the House. American spent about 3.7 billion hours stuck in traffic last year, burning gasoline whose price had soared by 60%. At the airports, security lines snake endlessly, runways are choked, and delays are common. One recent study found that, between January and August 2007, one in four flights arrived late; 159 flights were kept on the tarmac for more than three hours in August. As a result, more than half of U.S. businesses augment commercial air travel with expensive corporate jets and charters. Isnt there a better way? ...... Can We Catch Up? While U.S. railways have languished, the rest of the industrialized world has been building up its high-speed rail systems. FRANCE Last fall, Parisians celebrated the unveiling of a new 200 mph TGV (Train a Grande Vitesse) linking Paris to the German border, where it meets up with Germanys own high-speed InterCityExpress. In April, an experimental TGV run on the Paris-Strasbourg route hit 357 mph, while French fans lined the tracks, cheering. SPAIN High-speed trains have run between Madrid and its southern cities for more than a decade. Soon they will cover the 375 miles between Barcelona and Madridthe distance between Washington, D.C., and Boston, a 7-hour tripin 21⁄2 hours. Theres even talk of a rail tunnel to link Spain with Morocco, beneath Gibraltar. JAPAN The pioneer of the bullet train, Japan has developed a 360 mph magnetic-levitation, or maglev, train that rides a cushion of air. Propelled by the electromagnetic force of magnets, these trains are designed as complete transportation systems.
November 4, 200717 yr What's encouraging about an article like this is that the reporter didn't go to the "usual suspects" for quotes. He really did his homework and sought out not only people like Atrak CEO Kummant and Senator Latuenberg, but I thought the quote from the Chicago architect and the Amtrak seelping car attendent were at the root of why we need to better develop passenger rail. Great catch on this article musky! :clap: Meanwhile.... more good news from New England: DOWNEASTER AND VERMONTER RIDERSHIP RISING STEADILY: The Downeaster, operating daily between Portland, Maine and Boston, Massachusetts, added a fifth round trip to its service this past August, in response to strong demand for increased service and capacity. ....... http://railpace.com/hotnews/
November 5, 200717 yr Techblog: Very cool video! Feature: World's Fastest Train Reaches 357.2MPH The TGV in Paris, France is claimed to be the "world's fastest" train, reaching a speed of 357.2MPH (April, 2007). To accomplish this, a modified TGV train rode the track under test conditions -- voltage boosted to 31,000-volts, along with tamping an extra ballast onto the right-of-way. [youtube=425,350]Dw4zn-qw1oM
November 6, 200717 yr Author I posted a few links to videos of the French TGV's record run at: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=7449.0 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 7, 200717 yr Charlotte voters reject transit tax repeal Voters in North Carolina's Mecklenburg County Tuesday chose not to repeal Chalotte's half-cent transit sales tax, clearing the way for the Charlotte Area Transit System to pursue its plan to expand its light rail and bus network. CATS supporters reportedly were surprised by their margin of victorym as 70% voted against repealing the tax. Roughly 37,000 supported the grass-roots repeal effort, short even of the 48,000 signatures collected to put the repeal measure on the ballot. CATS can now pursue expansion plans for additional light rail and also commuter rail operations, as well as ponder implementation of a streetcar in downtown Charlotte. The Vote Against Repeal Committee, committing $600,000 to the pro-transit effort, warned that repealing the tax would exacerbate traffic congestion, impact the environment and, perhaps most important, inflict severe cuts on CATS' existing bus services even as CATS' first light rail line began operations this year. Numerous public officials, including four of the city's ex-mayors, argued against repeal. http://www.railwayage.com/breaking_news.shtml
November 9, 200717 yr ^yeah gotta love that vote! :clap: meanwhile.....transit work is a dangerous business :-o Subway worker shoved onto tracks, injured THE ASSOCIATED PRESS 8:14 AM EST, November 9, 2007 A subway worker was hurt when someone pushed him onto the tracks at Grand Central Terminal, police said. Investigators were searching for a suspect early Friday. The worker had been treated and released from a local hospital, New York City Transit spokesman Paul Fleuranges said. The motorman was on duty and waiting for his train on the 42nd Street shuttle platform Thursday night, police said. Investigators weren't sure why the attacker came up behind him and shoved him The worker wasn't hit by a train, but police said he injured his left arm, back and legs as he fell from the platform. His identity wasn't released http://www.amny.com/news/local/am-subway1109,0,2623650.story
November 9, 200717 yr amazing to read about the tunnel boring process & progress on the lirr east side access project after 8 months of work so far (video & more on the link below) -- yay, you go sandhogs! :clap: : LIRR inching toward Grand Central By Marlene Naanes, amNewYork Staff Writer November 9, 2007 A 200-ton steel inchworm deep below the Upper East Side is crunching 50 feet of granite a day, painstakingly clearing the way for LIRR trains that will eventually arrive at Grand Central Terminal. The MTA began constructing the $10 million tunnel boring machine eight months ago and launched it from a tunnel at East 63rd Street and Second Avenue three weeks ago, and it's moved 600 feet so far. The MTA offered a glimpse Thursday into the underground toil of what is possibly the nation's largest transportation construction project. "Each foot that this machine moves forward can fill a dump truck," said Edward Kennedy, an MTA consultant on the project. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority will complete the $6.3 billion project, called East Side Access, in 2013, reducing train congestion at Penn Station and offering 160,000 commuters a day a swifter commute to the East Side from Long Island. An existing tunnel connects East 63rd Street and Second Avenue to the Long Island Rail Road's Sunnyside Yards in Queens, and a contract to build additional tunnels on the Queens end will be awarded next year. About 160 feet below ground, a train meets the sandhogs who keep the machine running. The train runs along tracks until it reaches a lunch trailer where workers take their breaks. Farther down the tracks is the electrical heart of the project -- transformers and water pumps that keep the boring machine running. A control room sits beside the head of the 350-foot-long contraption, where the machine sprays water on the rock as 45 cutting discs press and scoop out granite with 70,000 pounds of pressure in a deafening whir. Buckets lift the chips onto a conveyor belt system that trucks the muck 8,500 feet through a tunnel to Queens. The machine mines an average of five to six feet an hour, moving forward after each rock-cutting session. After the machine finishes its westward crawl toward Park Avenue, it will continue south toward Grand Central. Later, the smooth granite walls will be lined with concrete, preparing the tunnel for tracks, lights, signals and, of course, trains. Related links: Workers bore out LIRR tunnel to Grand Central Video Tracker Subway Blog Photos: LIRR Grand Central tunnels Photos Video: Building the LIRR Grand Central Tunnel Video Metro North to get west side access Talkback Video: Building the LIRR-Grand Central Tunnel Video amNY.com Most Popular Feature Go inside City Water Tunnel No. 3 Multimedia Go inside City Water Tunnel No. 3 Video Photos: Water Tunnel No.3 Photos http://www.amny.com/news/local/transportation/am-worm1109,0,1844544.story
November 10, 200717 yr Passenger rail options include Quad Cities to Omaha By Dan Gearino DES MOINES Iowa leaders said Thursday they are ready to explore new passenger rail options, including the possibility of a route from the Quad-Cities to Omaha. The big question is how much the federal government might be willing to contribute to efforts in Iowa and across the Midwest. Even without a big federal investment, Iowa still might invest in a low-speed passenger train that connects the Quad-Cities to Chicago. Later extensions of the route may include Iowa City, Des Moines, Council Bluffs and Omaha. MORE AT THE LINK BELOW http://www.qctimes.com/articles/2007/11/09/news/state/doc4733ee374a242333925566.txt
November 10, 200717 yr a surprising sight :-o 11/ 9/073:40 PM Subway Train Commutes Into Manhattan, Takes Surface Route A trains a comin'! Photo: Jed Egan Late last night, at the corner of 178th and Broadway near the George Washington Bridge, a truck transported a shiny new subway car into the city. Where was it coming from, and where was it going? Is there an initiative to clean all subway cars so that they shine, in the parlance of Miss Hannigan, like the top of the Chrysler Building? And most important, is that why our C train is diverted this weekend? We may never know, because obviously, the people at the MTA never answer their phones. But nonetheless: What a magic moment. http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2007/11/subway_train_commutes_into_man.html
November 11, 200717 yr Author This is great to see, and a sign of recovery from such a horrific natural and human tradegy.... http://cleveland.cox.net/cci/apimages/ap-image-d6208dcd-d4fe-4c18-84ae-02a1a550bec4.jpg Passengers ride along the Uptown section of the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line in New Orleans Saturday, Nov. 10, 2007. The streetcars along this section of open officially to the public Sunday morning for the first time since Hurricane Katrina, but sections of the line remain unopened. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt) Revelers Turn Out for Return of 1920s-Era Green Streetcars in New Orleans 11-10-2007 7:19 PM By BECKY BOHRER, Associated Press NEW ORLEANS (Associated Press) -- Amid a Carnival-like atmosphere, streetcars began rolling past the historic mansions of this city's Garden District Saturday for the first time since Hurricane Katrina halted the St. Charles Avenue line more than two years ago. ....... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 11, 200717 yr I'm guessing that this photo of the New Orleans trolley was a reference on the old Robert Frank photo, although it's unclear what specifically was meant by this new photographer. Trolley, New Orleans, gelatin silver print by Robert Frank, c. 1955; in the Art Institute of Chicago. In the Robert Frank photo, from left to right a stereotypical gender and racial hierarchy is caught unscripted, but this new photo shows all what look like tourists or at least locals riding in a leisurely fashion.
November 11, 200717 yr New Orleans' streetcars roll again NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (AP) -- Amid a Carnival-like atmosphere, streetcars began rolling past the historic mansions of this city's Garden District Saturday for the first time since Hurricane Katrina halted the St. Charles Avenue line more than two years ago. While only about half of the line is reopened, many see the return of the 1920s-era green cars as a sign of progress in the city's recovery and a morale booster. "It's like having another piece of the puzzle, another piece of the city" back, said Melisa Rey, who rode on the first of a string of cars with her husband, Tom, and 10-month-old daughter, Jeanne-Marie. "It's so nice to finally have some good publicity," Tom Rey added. Six of the 13 miles where the cars once ran are now open on the St. Charles line, and officials hope to restore full service by spring. ....... Find this article at: http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/11/11/katrina.streetcar.ap/index.html
November 11, 200717 yr VRE gets $72 million RRIF loan for new cars The Federal Railroad Administration has approved a $72.5 million loan to help Virginia Railway Express finance 50 new bi-level commuter rail cars. Virginia is providing an additional $20 million in state funds. This is the first time a commuter railroad has received a loan under the FRA's Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing (RRIF) program. FRA said the new equipment will allow VRE to replace old railcars, increase the size of its fleet, add seating capacity to each car, and improve service. http://www.railwayage.com/breaking_news.shtml BTW: Check out the VRE's banner from their website. I love it! :clap:
November 11, 200717 yr Author Ha ha Noozer, I beat you to it! But nice photos in your post... New Orleans' streetcars roll again NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (AP) -- Amid a Carnival-like atmosphere, streetcars began rolling past the historic mansions of this city's Garden District Saturday for the first time since Hurricane Katrina halted the St. Charles Avenue line more than two years ago. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 12, 200717 yr i saw that about the nola streetcars returning, it was nice to hear some feel good news from down there for a change.
November 14, 200717 yr Author Not sure if this is the best place to post this. I may post this on other threads, too..... ___________________ A TransitVision 2050 Webinar Energy and the Global Economy: The Transportation Outlook in a Changing World November 15, 2007 3 – 4:30 p.m. (EST) The availability of cost-effective and efficient ways to move people, goods, and services is a key issue in the health of local, national, and global economies. How will global economic trends and the far-reaching consequences of energy consumption and availability impact the economic health of North America and the role of public transit in the future? Discover the answers to these important questions at a special TransitVision 2050 webinar -- Energy and the Global Economy: The Transportation Outlook in a Changing World. The event will feature Jeremy Rifkin, president of the Foundation on Economic Trends. Rifkin is the author of 17 books on the impact of scientific and technological changes on the economy, the workforce, society, and the environment, including The Hydrogen Economy and The European Dream: How Europe's Vision of the Future is Quietly Eclipsing the American Dream. A dynamic and thought-provoking speaker, Rifkin has lectured extensively around the world, and has been a fellow at the Wharton School’s Executive Education Program since 1994. The National Journal named Rifkin as one of 150 people in the U.S. that have the most influence in shaping federal government policy. Presiding: · Lee Sander, executive director and CEO, Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York Respondents: · Clarence Marsella, general manager, Regional Transportation District, Denver · Angela Iannuzziello, P. Eng., president, ENTRA Consultants · Janet Kavinoky, director, congressional and public affairs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and executive director of the Americans for Transportation Mobility coalition · Deborah Lynn Bleviss, energy consultant and former program manager for the Sustainable Markets for Sustainable Energy (SMSE) Program at the Inter-American Development Bank, Washington, DC This event is part of APTA’s TransitVision 2050 initiative and is aimed at informing and spurring further discussions as we shape the future of public transportation. We invite you to attend this free event and then share your comments, experiences, and insights on the topic at the TransitVision 2050 web site. A TransitVision 2050 Webinar Energy and the Global Economy: The Transportation Outlook in a Changing World November 15, 2007 3 – 4:30 p.m. (EST) Sign On. Share. Shape the Future. Register here: https://www.aptagateway.com/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?WebCode=LoginRequired&Site=APTA "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 14, 200717 yr (Milwaukee) Amtrak, Greyhound now at same location By: Christopher Placek Posted: 11/13/07 http://www.marquettetribune.org/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticlePrinterFriendly&uStory_id=f28c4fb5-5fc6-4a47-bd4b-4e1830a9869e Thanksgiving break student travelers will see changes at the old Amtrak station that will officially "re-grand open" Nov. 26. Finishing touches on the renovation of the 42-year-old station at North Fifth Street and West St. Paul Avenue are now taking place. City and state officials said they hope the modern station will serve as a welcoming point for visitors to the city and will better link the various parts of downtown. Reconstruction of the old Amtrak facilitynow named the Milwaukee Intermodal Stationbegan in July 2006. Besides Amtrak service, the new station will also be the departure and arrival spot for Greyhound bus lines. The facility is expected to serve more than one million travelers, said Ron Adams, chief of railroads and harbors for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. MORE AT THE LINK ABOVE
November 15, 200717 yr Shopping train to run this month Eastern Maine Railroad will run between Rockland and Brunswick on Nov. 24. By ISAAC KESTENBAUM, News Assistant November 14, 2007 On Nov. 24, the Maine Eastern Railroad will operate two special "shopping trains" between Rockland and Bath and Brunswick. This is the second year the railroad has offered this service. "It was really successful last year," said Gordon Page, vice president and director of passenger operations at Maine Eastern. Although the railroad primarily focuses on freight, it offers passenger service as well. The shopping trains are part of the railroad's effort to increase passenger business in the off-season, said Page Other seasonal service included a Halloween train, and the "Polar Express" and "Candy Cane Express," both coming later in the year. MORE AT THE LINK BELOW [email protected] http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story_pf.php?id=147565&ac=PHnws
November 19, 200717 yr U.S. Approves $1.3 Billion for 2nd Avenue Subway By WILLIAM NEUMAN Published: November 19, 2007 The long-dreamed-of Second Avenue subway will take another important step toward becoming a real thing of concrete and steel today, as the federal government plans to announce that it has formally approved $1.3 billion in financing for the projects first phase. ......
November 19, 200717 yr ^Drilling's not even going to begin until 2009? I wonder if the whole route will be finished before rising seas reclaim the financial district.
November 23, 200717 yr This NY Times editorial is mainly about congestion at our airports, but takes a good swipe at the lack of a national policy toward passenger rail. November 22, 2007 Editorial Congestion Relief New York Times ..... Accommodating everyone who wishes to fly is not necessarily the right idea. If Washington stopped short-changing the rail system and followed the European model, traveling a few hundred miles could take about the same time as flying when you account for waiting time. Smaller aircraft needed for less-populated areas are too often being used on heavily traveled routes, a practice that should be controlled. Corporate and private aircraft should be subject to fees that reflect the growing burden they place on the air traffic system. .......
November 23, 200717 yr Accommodating everyone who wishes to fly is not necessarily the right idea. If Washington stopped short-changing the rail system and followed the European model, traveling a few hundred miles could take about the same time as flying when you account for waiting time. It's about time someone other than rail advocates said this. :clap:
November 23, 200717 yr The FAA/Fed gov't should ban flights from LGA to DC, Baltimore, Providence and Boston and further beef up and speed up NEC train service.
November 24, 200717 yr The FAA/Fed gov't should ban flights from LGA to DC, Baltimore, Providence and Boston and further beef up and speed up NEC train service. Accommodating everyone who wishes to fly is not necessarily the right idea. If Washington stopped short-changing the rail system and followed the European model, traveling a few hundred miles could take about the same time as flying when you account for waiting time. It's about time someone other than rail advocates said this. :clap: If I had my way, we'd ban all flights of less than 500 miles, take some of that $15 billion for the FAA and dump it into high speed rail.
November 24, 200717 yr From Railway Age magazine: November 21, 2007 Denver awards Siemens $187 million for LRT cars Denver's Regional Transportation District Tuesday awarded Siemens Transportation Systems a $187 million contract to construct 55 light rail cars for the city's expanding LRT network. RTD also approved $29 million for early construction, steel fabrication, and copper procurement on the 12-mile West Corridor light rail project, and $8.7 million to buy all the rail and ties for the line. RTD also noted the Federal Transit Administration has approved the revised West Corridor environmental study, including a controversial cutback to a single track for the last four-mile segment to Golden. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- November 20, 2007 Tunnel machine readied for Pittsburgh work Pittsburgh's Port Authority Transit (PAT) today began lowering a tunnel-boring machine into position to carve out a path under the Allegheny River, as part of a $435 million extension of its light rail transit system. "They'll do some test-boring and try to advance the machine about 60 feet," Winston Simmonds, the authority's rail operations-engineering manager, told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "They'll stop through the holidays, and in the new year they'll advance the machine another 150 feet, install the rest of the trailing gear and in mid-January, that's when mining in earnest will start." The PAT extension will extend light rail service from Gateway Station Downtown to the city's North Shore district, and include two stations near PNC Park and Heinz Field. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- November 20, 2007 NJT to rebuild 20 ALP-44s New Jersey Transit's Board of Directors awarded a $2 million contract Monday to Interfleet Technology to evaluate the rehabilitation of 20 ALP-44 electric locomotives. NJT estimates the cost of the overhaul, still at least one year from commencing, at $48 million. Executive Director Rich Sarles said the move would save NJT money. "It's a judgment call," he said. "We know the condition of the locomotives, and it makes more sense to rebuild them." An NJ Transit spokesman told Railway Age the rebuild "would be in addition" to other motive power needs and not in lieu of same. The ALP-44s, similar in appearance to its older cousin, the AEM-7, primarily operate on NJT's Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast Line, and Midtown Direct services serving Penn Station-New York. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- November 20, 2007 NYMTA "finds" $220 million, holds fare to $2.00 Under pressure to back off from a proposed fare increase, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority did just that today, explaining that in updated budget forecasts it had found an additional $220 million in its year-end balance. MTA, which had planned to raise its base fare for subway and bus riders from $2.00 to $2.25, said it would retain the $2.00 fare and return the full $220 million to its customers over a two-year period. Gov. Eliot Spitzer had urged the MTA, a state agency, to hold the line on fares. MTA said the new-found $220 million came from three sources: $60 million in fares from an anticipated 1% increase in ridership; $60 million in unexpected real estate taxes; $60 million saved from "underspending"; and $40 million saved in debt service costs. At a press conference attended by Governor Spitzer and his appointee, MTA Chairman H. Dale Hemmerdinger, MTA Executive Director and CEO Elliot G. Sander said: "MTA is grateful to Governor Spitzer for his commitment to funding public transit and our four-year financial plan. We are glad that revenues came in high enough to allow us to limit the fare increase and still address $6 billion in deficits over the next four years." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- November 16, 2007 East Side Access, Second Ave. Subway funding announced Two of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's "big-ticket" capital projects will get additional federal funding, according to New York's two U.S. Senators, Charles Schumer and Hillary Clinton. The two Democrats identified $215 million in fiscal year 2008 funds for the $6.3 billion East Side Access project, which will connect the Long Island Rail Road to Grand Central Terminal beginning in 2014. The tunnel will offer LIRR riders direct access to Manhattan's East Side, as well as same-station connections to Metro-North Railroad. Another $170 million is slated to advance the initial $3.4 billion phase of the oft-delayed Second Avenue subway, to be constructed in four stages; Phase 1, running from 96th Street to connections with existing subway service at 63rd Street, is expected to carry 200,000 riders per day upon its opening. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- November 16, 2007 Staten Island to get LRT study funds New York's two U.S. senators announced Thursday $225,000 to further study and eventual construction of light rail on Staten Island, to be funded through the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill now working its way through the Senate. Borough officials, along with local New York State assembly representatives and both Sen. Charles Schumer and Sen. Hillary Clinton, have pushed for the project throughout 2007, aimed at serving the west and north shores of Staten Island. Advocates say the proposed LRT along the five-mile north shore route initially would served 11,000 to 15,000 riders per day; 27,000 people per day could result by 2020. Planners envision extending the system across the Bayonne Bridge into Bayonne, N.J., to connect with existing (and expanding) Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Transit (HBLRT) operated by New Jersey Transit. Bus service linking Staten Island to HBLRT began in August. "Any Staten Islander knows that traffic congestion is the first, second and third problem confronting growth and quality of life in the borough, and these light rails are a visionary and effective means to addressing that problem," Schumer said in a press release. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- November 15, 2007 Another $1 billion pledged for trans-Hudson tunnel Planned increases in PATH commuter rail fares and bridge and tunnel tolls will permit the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey to increase its commitment from $2 billion to $3 billion for a new trans-Hudson passenger rail tunnel, currently estimated to cost $7.2 billion. The state of New Jersey also plans to contribute $1 billion with an undetermined amount coming from the federal government. The increased pledge for the tunnel was on the agenda for today's meeting of the Authority's board of commissioners
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