Passenger Transport Express - 10/02/2009 (Plain Text Version)News HeadlinesCongress, President Approve One-Month SAFETEA-LU Extension
The Senate on September 30 passed a one-month extension of federal public transportation and highway programs, which the president signed the same day. The extension was included in a continuing resolution that applies to fiscal year 2010 appropriations for the entire federal government; its passage averted a federal government shutdown. The House passed the continuing resolution last week. Boxer, Kerry Introduce Draft Climate Change Bill
On September 30, Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), chair of the Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), and John Kerry (D-MA), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, introduced their proposed climate change legislation at an event in Washington, DC. Congress to Set FY 2010 Public Transit Appropriations Soon
With a one-month appropriations continuing resolution in place, both houses of Congress are preparing for conference committees to resolve differences on funding levels in fiscal year 2010 appropriations bills, including those for the Department of Transportation and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Biden Announces Year-End ARRA Goals
On October 1, Vice President Joe Biden announced several new ARRA goals he expects will be met by the end of 2009. They included FTA grants for the purchase of 10,000 new buses at public transit systems around the nation; Department of Energy funding for battery manufacturing plants to power 400,000 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles annually; DOT funds for 10,000 highway projects; $5 billion in grants and lending programs from the Small Business Administration; and goals for military hospitals, national parks, housing renovation, and renewable energy. [return to top] More ARRA Funds Put to Work for Public Transit; Reporting Deadline Oct. 10
FTA's recent grants of ARRA funds include $8.7 million to the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority in Atlanta, for the construction of park-and-ride lots; purchases including a 45-foot commuter bus, surveillance/security equipment, and station and shop equipment; as well as preventive maintenance and upgrades to maintenance facilities. Annual Meeting Update: On-Site Registration Still Available
Pre-registration for the 2009 APTA Annual Meeting is now closed, but on-site registration will be available, beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 3. [return to top] In the Media
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood's Distracted Driving Summit was discussed by many news outlets, including ABC News. A TV commercial highlights the economic potential of a proposed high-speed rail link between Anaheim, CA, and Las Vegas. [return to top] |