January 5, 2009
| | THE SOURCE FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION NEWS AND ANALYSIS | |
| LaHood Chosen as Next DOT Secretary |
President-elect Barack Obama introduced his nominee for U.S. secretary of transportation, outgoing U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood (R-IL), on Dec. 19 in Chicago, placing in the hands of the 63-year-old grandson of a Lebanese immigrant and the son of a restaurant manager what may become one of the higher-profile jobs in Obama’s cabinet: overseeing the enormous public works program Obama has already begun detailing to turn around the nation’s economy. [More]
| Oberstar Plan Proposes $12 Billion in Transit Funding |
U.S. Rep. James Oberstar (D-MN), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, has released a plan to invest $85 billion in federal funds in the nation’s transportation and environmental infrastructure, including $12 billion for transit and $5 billion for rail. [More]
| WMATA Faces Looming Inauguration Challenges |
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is gearing up for something it’s never experienced before: moving an expected 1.5 million people on Inauguration Day, which is nearly twice its previous ridership record.
[More]
| Lawmakers Continue to Press for SILO/LILO Relief |
Shortly before Congress recessed for the holidays, 31 members of the U.S. House of Representatives and two Senators sent a letter to President Bush, asking him to consider applying comparable “deliberations and actions” as he did in authorizing financial rescue and recovery funds to prevent GM and Chrysler from collapsing toward the SILO/LILO issue. [More]
President’s Perspective
Paul Weyrich: His Vision for America Included a Passion for Passenger Rail |
| By William W. Millar |
Public transit just lost a good friend and true believer with the passing of Paul M. Weyrich.
[More]
| Business Members, Transit Agencies Demonstrate Holiday Spirit Through Charitable Efforts |
During the recent holiday season, charity was foremost in the minds of many public transportation suppliers and agencies, from the more traditional efforts—such as “Stuff the Bus” and Toys for Tots—to innovative approaches that take advantage of the power of the Internet. Here are just a few examples. [More]
| Snoble Announces Retirement from Los Angeles Metro |
Roger Snoble, chief executive officer of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority since 2001, has announced that he plans to retire as soon as his successor is named. [More]
| Phoenix Welcomes METRO Light Rail |
Crowds in the Phoenix area welcomed Valley Metro Rail to service on the morning of Dec. 27, 2008. The agency reported more than 150,000 rides during the opening weekend of the METRO light rail system, which operated fare free through Dec. 31. [More]
| New Orleans Welcomes Back Six Red Streetcars |
The New Orleans Regional Transportation Authority gave the city an early Christmas gift on Dec. 12 with the return to service of six of the city’s 24 candy-apple red Canal Street streetcars. [More]
| Richardson Launches Extension of Rail Runner Express |
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson joined state, local, and tribal officials Dec. 15 on the inaugural run of the New Mexico Rail Runner Express to Santa Fe. [More]
| Paul Weyrich Dies; Conservative Icon, Great Friend of Public Transit |
Paul Weyrich, one of the giants of the modern conservative movement and a strong supporter of public transportation, died Dec. 18 at age 66. [More]
| Payne Dies; First Board Chairman for Fort Worth Transportation Authority |
Hershel Payne, founding chairman of the Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The T) Board of Directors, died Dec. 16, 2008, at the age of 70. [More]
| James Brunkenhoefer Dies at 61; Legislative Director for UTU |
James M. Brunkenhoefer, 61, of McLean, VA, U.S. national legislative director of the United Transportation Union, died Dec. 19, 2008, two days after suffering a massive stroke. [More]
| Access Committee to Host Accessibility Guidelines Call |
The APTA Access Committee has scheduled a conference call Jan. 7, beginning at 4 p.m. Eastern time, to discuss APTA’s comments on the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board’s (the Access Board) latest draft of proposed updates to its Accessibility Guidelines for Transportation Vehicles. [More]
| APTA Looks for Candidates to Fill Executive Committee Opening |
Matthew Tucker, APTA’s vice chair-state affairs, has accepted a position with the North County Transit District in Oceanside, CA. [More]
| ITSP Seeks Team Leader for Fall Study Mission |
The International Transit Studies Program (ITSP) is seeking nominations by Jan. 23 for a team leader for its fall 2009 study mission, which will focus on managing increasing ridership demand in South America. [More]
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