Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

In making the more than $600 million in new awards, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) met an aggressive deadline to award 100 percent of its Recovery Act transit formula dollars by March 5.

Transportation elements include an underground bus terminal with 22 bays, a light rail station for current and future light rail routes, a commuter rail station that will serve Amtrak and possibly a ski train, and public plazas to integrate transit service.

The project is expected to eliminate 688 metric tons of carbon dioxide and equivalents from the air each year, or 8,250 metric tons over the lives of the vehicles.

Thursday's awards will serve as a down-payment on developing or laying the groundwork for 13 new, large-scale high-speed rail corridors across the country.

The project will be in two phases. The first calls for improving 182 bus stops at a cost of $1.3 million, with completion expected by May.

The planned nine-story, 1,900 space South Garage Parking Facility at Wonderland station will support Waterfront Square, a critical smart growth and transit-oriented development project. Total garage construction budget is $47 million.

NABI LFW model buses will be equipped with smooth and dependable wheelchair ramps, security cameras, audible annunciation systems and bicycle racks.

First Latina woman in agency's history to hold such a position.

The facility is scheduled for completion in November 2010.

The online map provides information about dollars obligated and projects pending in states and territories at the county and congressional district levels.