News Headlines

Senators John Kerry (D-MA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) have continued to work on a new bill to address climate change and energy. The three senators planned to introduce the bill the week of April 26-30, but concerns by Sen. Graham that Democratic leaders would have the Senate debate immigration legislation before a climate bill have delayed the new bill’s unveiling.

The three senators continue to indicate their bill will levy some form of a pollution fee on motor fuels and create a cap on greenhouse gas emissions. Their recent comments also indicate that using revenue from those fees for transportation investment is under consideration.

Earlier this month, APTA organized a coalition letter with 26 other national transportation groups to call on Senators Kerry, Graham and Lieberman to dedicate all revenue from new fees on motor fuels to investment in transit and transportation under a multi-year authorization bill. The enactment of new fees on motor fuels without resulting transportation investment could significantly hinder progress on a new transportation bill.

Save the Date

Don't forget to register for the 2010 APTA Rail Conference, June 6-9 in Vancouver, BC. The conference will feature informative sessions on the latest developments in all aspects of rail transportation. For more details see the preliminary program.

In the Media

Vivian Moorer, an employee of Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (LYNX), has been chosen to be a contestant on "Wheel of Fortune." Moorer, who works in the Building and Grounds department, will compete on the episode to air Monday, May 3. On behalf of APTA, "Come on, big money!"

On April 27, union employees converged on Washington, DC, to urge Congress to provide additional operating funds for public transportation, The Washington Post reported.

The New York Times described that city's potential plan to ban private automobiles (but allow buses) on 34th Street in Manhattan.

The blog Fort Worthology featured film footage of streetcar travel in Barcelona, circa 1908.