Transportation News

Illinoisans wasted nearly 203 million hours of additional time on the road, and 141 million gallons of additional gas as a result of traffic congestion in 2005. The additional wasted time and fuel cost the public an equivalent of $3.9 billion, according to the federally sponsored Urban Mobility Report released today by the Texas Transportation Institute. The findings underscore the need for additional transit in the region.

As dire cuts in service and fare hikes loom for Northeastern Illinois transit, a new study by Illinois PIRG (Public Interest Research Group) proposed linking reforms of transit agencies with new, permanent funding sources. The report analyzes potential revenue solutions and provides a menu of funding options lawmakers should consider to ensure reliable transit funding for years to come.

Today, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a transportation funding package which keeps control of the Pennsylvania Turnpike in the hands of public officials. Governor Rendell had previously pushed for privatizing the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Media reports have indicated that Governor Rendell has abandoned this plan for the time being.

Los Angeles is at a crossroads with our transportation system. Los Angeles is already the number one most congested region in the nation, and more and more people are moving to Los Angeles County each and every year. Our region will add six million people by 2030. To make matters worse, the distance that we drive in our cars each year is growing much faster than our population.

New Jersey likely won't be turning over the keys to the Garden State Parkway or New Jersey Turnpike to a private corporation, a State Senator said Tuesday.

Concession deals for privately operated toll roads present a number of potential problems, according to a new report. The report examines deals to grant long-term control of roads to private operators who seek to profit off toll revenue.

Governor Schwarzenegger's $1.1 Billion in proposed transit cuts contradict state goals to improve transit infrastructure and cut global warming pollution.

Concerns regarding maintaining public control over transportation policy and safety and maintenance standards highlighted in report.

The Dulles Metrorail extension received a boost today as the US Public Interest Research Group was joined by Mayor Adrian Fenty and other supporters to release a major new report on oil savings and other benefits from public transportation in the DC area and around the country.

On Tuesday, Governor Ed Rendell unveiled his plans to solve the transportation funding crisis in Pennsylvania. The Governor proposed instituting a gross oil profits tax to shore up Pennsylvania’s public transit systems. Oil companies have been some of the most successful at hiding their profits despite the record revenues they have enjoyed in recent years.

Deals to privatize public toll roads, such as those proposed last week by Governor Crist, typically fail to protect the public, according to a new report released by the Florida Public Interest Research Group (Florida PIRG).

A transportation bond bill filed today by Governor Patrick includes approximately $800 million in bond authorization for numerous public transportation projects, with the largest chunk dedicated to funding the full cost of the Green Line extension from Lechmere to Medford, earmarked at $600 million.

With the approval by the Illinois General Assembly of Governor Blagojevich’s amendatory veto, commuters can now say good-bye to the cycle doomsday scenarios that have threatened commuters with fare increases and service cuts.

Federal transportation officials endorsed the Dulles Metrorail extension today, finally recognizing the oil and gas savings and the CO2 reduction benefits that will be realized from expansion of public transportation in the region.

The Florida Public Interest Research Group (Florida PIRG) and other members of the national federation of state PIRG’s have been working for more and better public transit systems nationwide by encouraging support for new projects by the public and lawmakers.