Today’s Headlines

By Elana Schor
Dec 9, 2009

Republicans on the House transportation committee warn that a federal role in transit safety oversight may not translate into fewer injuries on railways (Mica Press)

As the Obama administration takes on rail transit safety, the NTSB moves forward on passenger bus safety (AP)

Was Obama flip-flopping when he admitted that what’s "shovel-ready" isn’t always the best project, then later endorsed new transportation spending? (WashPost)

How can the White House make the most of its new job-creation push? In a word, buildings (Grist)

As climate deniers thunder on about hyped-up scandal, the EPA quietly totals public comments on its finding that carbon emissions threaten public health: 70% in favor, 30% opposed (WSJ Blog)

Florida Senate approves major new rail legislation (CBS4)

ALSO ON STREETSBLOG

Hesitation and Praise Greet Obama Administration’s Transit Safety Plan

By Elana Schor | Nov 16, 2009

Details of the Obama administration’s proposal to carve out a federal presence overseeing transit safety, first reported yesterday by the Washington Post, have yet to cross the desks of some top lawmakers and industry stakeholders. But reaction to the idea, both positive and hesitant, is plentiful this morning. The D.C. Metro (Photo: WaPo) "Safety is […]

Obama Administration’s Transit Safety Rules to Eventually Apply to Buses

By Elana Schor | Nov 16, 2009

The Obama administration’s proposal for a new federal role in transit safety oversight would eventually apply to buses, although the first round of rules would be directed at subways and light rail, according to the U.S. DOT. Transit buses, such as this Miami model, are expected to be part of the new federal safety plan. […]

On the Pitfalls and Benefits of National Transit Safety Standards

By Elana Schor | Dec 15, 2009

The second hearing in three days on the Obama administration’s proposal for national transit safety rules made headlines mostly for its affect on the Washington D.C. area, where Sen. Barbara Mikulski’s (D-MD) blistering critique of the local Metro rail system prompted high-level management switches. "There’s a saying in our business," APTA President William Millar (above) […]

House and Senate Split on Approach to Obama’s Transit Safety Plan

By Elana Schor | Mar 16, 2010

After a year marked by discord between the House and Senate over the timing of the next federal transportation bill, another split emerged yesterday over the timetable for taking up the Obama administration’s plan for federal involvement in transit safety oversight. Rep. John Mica (R-FL) opposes the White House safety plan, but he also wants […]

Obama Takes a Stand, Threatens to Veto House Transpo Bill

By Ben Goldman | Feb 15, 2012

The White House issued a statement yesterday that spelled out President Obama’s opposition to the House transportation bill, also known as H.R. 7. The administration’s statement of policy, which coincided with the House Rules Committee hearing on H.R. 7, takes a stand in defense of transit, safety, and the environment: H.R. 7 does not reflect […]

Obama Aide Defends Transit Safety Plan as Different from Rail Rules

By Elana Schor | Apr 21, 2010

Federal Transit Administration (FTA) chief Peter Rogoff today mounted a defense of the White House’s transit safety plan, assuring some skeptical members of Congress that he does not want to "replicate" inter-city rail safety rules that have taken flak for impeding the development of viable U.S. train networks. As of last year, D.C.’s Metro had […]