Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

Reports on inadequacies of D.C. Metro's safety and oversight efforts. Findings suggest that passengers and workers are at risk, feds say.

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.

Under the charter rule, public transit agencies that are supported by taxpayer dollars are not allowed to operate charters if a private carrier is available and capable of performing the work.

MagneMotion Inc., a company founded by Richard D. Thornton, emeritus professor of electrical engineering and computer science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, received a $7.9-million grant in 2008 from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to conduct a three-phase test of its patented Maglev technology.

The University line is projected to generate 49,000 boardings per day by the year 2030 and will provide a connected network serving Houstonians commuting from east, west and southwest to the city's principal destinations and activity centers.

Officials say reduced fuel costs and emissions were a main selling point for replacing older sedans with an all-hybrid fleet. With 106 Priuses, the vehicles reportedly represent the largest fleet of its kind in the county.

The $32 million, of which $17 million will come from the ARRA Tribal Transit Program, will pay for 100 transit projects for tribes in 22 states.

Operator of train 902 has been a Metro employee since May 2007 and a train operator since November 2008. He is currently on paid administrative leave.

Secretary LaHood created the Safety Council to serve that broad-based safety leadership role and help break down organizational stovepipes, enabling an even stronger safety culture.