Bill Would Save Commuters $

If a new City Council bill is enacted, more commuters could reap the benefits of a federal pre-tax mass transit program (know in NYC as TransitChek). The bill, sponsored by Speaker Gifford Miller, would increase participation in TransitChek by requiring companies with 50 or more employees to offer the program, which is currently voluntary.

Straphangers Encourage More MTA Reform

The Straphangers Campaign says recently announced MTA changes to increase financial and budgetary transparency (MTR # 416) are a good “first-step” toward reform that will increase MTA accountability and budget transparency.

MTA Tolls: A Farewell to Arms?

With the exception of the lightly used Hudson River crossings in the Hudson Valley, the only agency that uses barrier arms at their toll plazas is the MTA. 

Non-Stop Tolls Advance in NJ

NJ Highway officials said this week that non-stop tolls will debut at the GS Parkway’s Hillsdale Toll Plaza by the end of the year. The high speed toll collection system, which will replace certain toll booths with 17ft high gantries holding E-Zpass readers, will allow motorists to continue through toll booths at 50mph, rather than slowing down to 15mph or lower.

Newsday Takes a Long Look at Traffic Safety 

Newsday has presented a 12-part series on dangerous driving on Long Island. The paper’s analysis is thorough and presents good explanations as to why Long Island ranks among the worst areas for traffic crashes, injuries and deaths in New York State. Based on the series, here are steps government entities should take to reduce the toll in life and limb exacted by driving on Long Island...

Senate, House Maneuver in Tough Transport Environment

Although it’s unclear when key congressional committees will come out with bills for TEA-21 reauthorization, members of Congress are already introducing smaller transportation bills as markers for programs or policy changes they favor. The bills are unlikely to survive on their own, but their provisions could find their way into “TEA-3,” the successor to the six-year TEA-21 authorization that is set to expire this fall.

Bush Takes Aim at Amtrak

President Bush’s “framework” for an eventual plan for Amtrak would reduce federal responsibility for the rail infrastructure, and leave states to manage and pay for much of the system.

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MTR 416 - May 19, 2003

MTR 415 - May 12, 2003

MTR 414 - May 5, 2003

MTR 413 - April 28, 2003

MTR 412 - April 21, 2003