All articles tagged with #mass transit
Amtrak is selling a limited-edition $279 two-piece 'Trak Suit' to celebrate the NextGen Acela rollout, designed by New York fashion school student Anastasiia Lukinskaia; the novelty set was available at the Amtrak Store for a brief window (Jan. 29–Feb. 2) as a playful nod to the rail upgrade.
The Pennsylvania House approved Governor Shapiro's bipartisan plan to fund mass transit across all 67 counties with $292 million in new funding for 2025-26, aiming to support nearly one million daily riders, create jobs, and improve infrastructure without raising taxes, by increasing the sales tax dedicated to transit. The proposal now awaits Senate approval.
The US Department of Transportation has approved New York City's plan to implement a $9 congestion charge for driving in Manhattan south of 60th Street, starting January 5. This initiative aims to reduce traffic and fund mass transit improvements, potentially cutting vehicle entries by 80,000 daily. The plan, revived by Governor Kathy Hochul, will also impose higher fees on trucks and buses, with discounts for night travel. The toll is expected to support $15 billion in debt-financing for transit upgrades.
New York City is close to implementing a plan to charge drivers a $15 toll to enter Manhattan south of Central Park in an effort to reduce traffic congestion, air pollution, and provide funding for the city's subway and bus systems. The plan, aiming for a summer launch, faces opposition from various groups, including public school teachers, suburban commuters, and business owners, who are concerned about the impact on the local economy and accessibility for disabled individuals. The proposed congestion fees would also affect app-based rides, taxis, and for-profit buses, while facing legal challenges from neighboring New Jersey.
Austin leaders and transit advocates gathered to reflect on the progress of the Project Connect light rail program, which was approved by voters in November 2020. Despite facing challenges, such as a failed ballot initiative in 2000 and attempts to derail the project in the Texas Legislature, leaders remain committed to expanding mass transit options in Austin. They emphasized the importance of addressing environmental concerns, improving mobility, and creating a more equitable and sustainable future for the city. Federal funding is being pursued for the project, with approximately 50% of the funding expected to come from federal sources.
After 17 years of delays and hurdles, New York City's congestion pricing plan, which aims to reduce auto traffic, raise funds for mass transit, and improve air quality, has finally cleared its last federal hurdle. The plan will charge motorists a fee to enter the most crowded parts of Manhattan south of 60th Street. However, the lengthy and complex review process, designed to protect the environment, has made it incredibly difficult to implement such solutions. While the plan has faced opposition and concerns from various groups, it is seen as a necessary step towards addressing climate and urban challenges.
New York City's congestion pricing plan has cleared its final federal hurdle, with the program expected to begin next year. The program will charge drivers a fee to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street, with the aim of reducing traffic and pollution in the area and funding improvements to mass transit. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority will decide on final toll rates, including any discounts, exemptions, and other allowances. The program is expected to generate $1 billion annually for the M.T.A. and make getting around New York more equitable. However, the plan faces opposition from taxi drivers, ride-share companies, and suburbanites who do not want to pay to drive in Manhattan.
The Austin Transit Partnership has recommended a 9.8-mile light rail route for Austin's Project Connect mass transit system, running from 38th Street down south to Oltorf Street and southeast to Yellow Jacket Lane, with 15 stations and an estimated ridership of 29,000 people per day. The recommended route's cost is between $4.5 billion and $4.8 billion, with possible Phase 1 buildout points to Crestview in the north and the airport to the southeast. The recommendation awaits approval by the City of Austin and CapMetro leadership at a June 6 meeting with ATP.
Austin residents are being presented with five scaled-down proposals for Project Connect's mass transit system, which includes the creation of a light rail system. The options primarily include street-level light rail services with operations extending from north Central Austin down through the southeast. The estimated costs of the five options are around $5 billion, and ATP officials will narrow down and select a final version to move forward after community feedback. The final selection will be incorporated into Project Connect's environmental impact statement draft, which requires approval from the Federal Transit Administration.