Transit
Basics
Streetsies 2011: The Local Edition
Yesterday, we started our year-end 2011 round-up. We lamented transit cuts in places where transit is more important than ever, cheered the successful ballot initiatives that will fund transportation lifelines, took a moment to explore the nuances of some difficult issues, and called out Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin for some hare-brained ideas about the best way to spend money.
December 29, 2011
Senate Fails to Extend Transit Commuter Tax Benefit
The Senate has voted to extend the payroll tax cuts – for two months – but didn't act on a measure to maintain parity between the commuter parking and transit benefits. This means transit riders will get their pre-tax benefits cut in half come January 1st, while those who drive to work will see a small jump in how much the government subsidizes their parking expenses. As Steve Davis of Transportation For America puts it (emphasis his):
December 20, 2011
Lawmakers Push to Fund Transit Service During Economic Emergencies
In October, Reps. Russ Carnahan (D-MO) and Steve LaTourette (R-OH) introduced a bill to allow transit agencies to use federal money to hire bus drivers and pay other operating expenses.
December 19, 2011
NJ Senator Lautenberg Introduces Bill to Limit Bridge and Tunnel Tolls
Last summer, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey raised EZPass tolls from $8 to cross a bridge into the city during peak hours to $9.50, with planned increases to $12.50 in a few years (cash tolls are increasing somewhat more). Tolls for five-axle trucks will rise as high as $125.
December 16, 2011
Congress Puts Off Key Decisions on Transpo Bill and Transit Tax Benefit
The website didn't lie: Apparently there really are no markups scheduled on the Senate Banking Committee's calendar.
December 15, 2011
Senators to Committee: Protect Transit Benefits Before It’s Too Late
Around this time last year, Congress had a decision to make: Extend the transit tax benefit for commuters at its post-stimulus rate of $230 — the same as the parking benefit for drivers — or relegate transit riders to second class citizenship once again. Last year, Congress made the right choice and maintained parity between the two. Despite an urgent call this week from 22 senators, it's looking like we might not be so lucky this year.
December 14, 2011
Senate Banking Committee to Vote on Transit Section of Transpo Bill Friday
If the Banking Committee is going to make any progress on the transit section of the Senate transportation bill, it's going to have to happen before this weekend, when Congress leaves for the holiday recess and doesn't come back till late January. Indeed, on Friday, the very last day of the session, Banking is planning to vote on its part of the bill.
December 13, 2011
Transit’s Not Bleeding the Taxpayer Dry — Roads Are
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Roads don’t pay for themselves.
December 12, 2011
Is the House Democrats’ New “Buy America” Jobs Bill Just a Political Ploy?
With no movement on a highway bill from House T&I Chairman John Mica until after Congress reconvenes in January, Ranking Member Nick Rahall held a press conference today to introduce the “Invest in American Jobs Act of 2011” [PDF]. The act would strengthen the “Buy America” requirements already in place on transit, rail, highway, bridge, and aviation programs.
December 1, 2011
Mapped: How Federal Funding Fails to Match Demand for Transit in the U.S.
UPDATE: Corrects the post to say that the map reflects all ongoing projects, not just those in the final engineering and construction stages.
November 29, 2011