Urban Mobility: This week, Transport Expertise read… – #1

Posted on June 4, 2009 by Laurent Diringer

Transport Expertise starts a new series of product called “This week, Transport Expertise read…”: a press review of articles selected by Transport Expertise members among their readings, to share with our visitors what we are interested in… Hereafter stands articles about Urban Mobility. We plan to provide a selection for every major topic we are working on: Rail, Roads & Logistics, Air, Urban Mobility, Maritime & Waterways.

“MTA grants Italian rail car builder more time in contract negotiations” by Maeve Reston, Los Angeles Times, May 28, 2009

Los Angeles County’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority board delayed a decision today on whether to hire an Italian rail manufacturer to build 100 cars needed for Metro’s light rail line extensions. The delay — the second since March — would give MTA officials more time to work out the details of a new offer by the firm, AnsaldoBreda, for a $300-million financial guarantee on the potential 100-car contract. [...]

Link: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/05/mta-grants-more-time-to-controversial-italian-rail-car-builder.html

“Subsidies attracting riders to mass transit” by Sean Holstege, The Arizona Republic, June 2, 2009

When Jim Wilson took a job at Arizona Public Service Co. a year ago, he figured he’d pay $75 a week in gas and $40 a month on parking to commute from Surprise to downtown Phoenix. So, when APS offered him a transit pass for free, he was thrilled. [...]

Link: http://www.azcentral.com/news/traffic/lightrail/articles/2009/06/02/20090602subsidy0602.html

“Time For Feds To Fund Mass Transit Operating Expenses?” by Linda Caruso, The National Journal, June 1, 2009

Americans are using public transportation in record numbers — taking 10.7 billion trips last year, an increase of 4 percent over 2007 — yet because of declining state and local budgets, many mass transit systems are facing the prospect of raising fares, cutting service and laying off staff. [...]

Link: http://transportation.nationaljournal.com/2009/06/is-it-time-for-the-feds-to-fun.php

“Recession hasn’t slowed light rail traffic” by Steve Harrison, Charlotte Observer, May 28, 2009

The Lynx Blue Line averaged 15,121 weekday trips in April – surprisingly high ridership given the severe recession. Charlotte’s light-rail line had been averaging roughly 14,000 trips for much of the year, and the Charlotte Area Transit System expected it to decline because fewer people are working. [...]

Link: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/local/story/749244.html