Transportation Solutions News

Proposition 1A, the “Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act”, has gained the endorsement of some of California’s most active environmental and good government organizations.

Today CALPIRG staff and activists called on voters to support Proposition 1A, a ballot initiative to fund construction of California’s proposed high-speed rail bullet train system.

Voters deserve the opportunity to consider up-to-date ballot measures. Today Governor Schwarzenegger recognized the importance of allowing voters to consider an updated, stronger high-speed rail bond on the November ballot.

Responding to record-high gas prices and the rising use of public transportation, the House of Representatives today passed HR 6052, the Saving Energy through Public Transportation Act, by a vote of 322 to 98 which authorizes 1.7 billion dollars to transit agencies across America to expand services and reduce fares.

Without sufficient alternatives to driving, American families spent their entire economic stimulus check on high-priced gas.

As Chicago consumers face upwards of $4.07 a gallon this Memorial Day Weekend, the consumer advocacy group Illinois Public Interest Research Group (Illinois PIRG) joined State Representative Marlow Colvin (Chicago), Chairman of the House Consumer Protection Committee, in calling for public hearings this summer to consider immediate and longer term policies that can help protect consumers from high gas prices.

As gasoline prices creep towards $4.00 a gallon and Californians look for relief, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has the opportunity to give commuters a break this week in the May Revise to his FY08-09 state budget proposal.

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.

U.S. PIRG strongly criticized President Bush’s proposed 2009 budget for reducing transit spending and raiding the Mass Transit Account at a time when national trends show the need for aggressive new investment in public transportation.

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee heard testimony today from The National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission on the need to profoundly change America’s transportation funding system to meet concerns of the 21st Century.

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.

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.