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.
