Recent Streetsblog USA posts about Streetsblog Capitol Hill

Jackson Joins Transit Unions to Rally for More Federal Operating Aid

By Elana Schor | Apr 27, 2010 | No Comments

The scene at today’s transit workers’ rally on Capitol Hill. (Photo: Steve Davis) "CONGRE$$ PLEASE HELP." "THINK BEFORE YOU CUT." "HANDS OFF OUR BUS OPERATORS." The messages were stark on Capitol Hill today as hundreds of transit workers gathered to protest the wave of local budget shortfalls that are threatening many of their jobs and […]

Federal Transit Security Inspections: A Once-Every-Three Years Affair

By Elana Schor | Apr 26, 2010 | No Comments

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is linked most closely in the popular consciousness with aviation security, but its mandate also extends to protecting rail and transit systems — a job that needs to get more attention from the agency, according to senior senators from both parties. Security on New York City’s subway, above, was boosted […]

U.S. DOT Releases Rules for ‘TIGER II’ Grants, Bringing HUD on Board

By Elana Schor | Apr 26, 2010 | 3 Comments

The U.S. DOT today released its first round of guidance for the so-called "TIGER II" program, a $600 million pot of competitive transportation grants considered a quasi-sequel to the popular $1.5 billion merit-based fund included in last year’s stimulus law. A ribbon-cutting in Dubuque, Iowa, where a broad revamping of downtown development won TIGER grant […]

U.S. DOT Admits Status Quo Untenable, Vows to Cut Transport Emissions

By Elana Schor | Apr 22, 2010 | No Comments

In its second Earth Day release, the U.S. DOT today unveiled a 600-page analysis of transportation emissions mandated by Congress in the 2007 energy bill. In addition to weighing in on many potential tactics for limiting transport’s contribution to the changing climate, the document notably recommits the Obama administration to that goal at a time […]

New Report Tracks Urban Transit Emissions — Where Does Your City Rank?

By Elana Schor | Apr 22, 2010 | 7 Comments

Comparing the average emissions per passenger mile of various transport modes. (Chart: FTA) While state DOTs marked Earth Day by depicting roads as unsung heroes of livability, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the transit industry celebrated in their own ways by releasing reports on local rail and bus systems’ roles in reducing U.S. transport […]

State DOTs Mark Earth Day by Pressing a More Road-Centric ‘Livability’

By Elana Schor | Apr 22, 2010 | 3 Comments

As the Obama administration’s inter-agency sustainable communities project commands a growing share of attention and funding in Washington, the response from conservatives and business lobbies has been decidedly less than enthusiastic. Washington D.C.’s bike sharing stations, above, got a prominent mention in the AASHTO report. (Photo: afagen via Flickr) When Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood issued […]

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