Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

Funds will be used to renovate the station's interior lobby, bathrooms, ticketing areas and offices, lighting, signage and to make the station ADA-compliant.

Creates a level playing field and economies of scale based on a common set of designs and technical requirements allowing U.S. based manufacturers to more effectively compete.

New Starts grant to extend existing commuter rail service an additional 20 miles from Providence to Boston starting in 2012.

Requests total more than $8.5 billion and will be considered for funding from more than $2.3 billion appropriated in FY 2010.

The pool of funds is available for basic and applied technology research, development and demonstration projects to advance the state of the art in track and structures, train control systems, operating practices and rolling stock.

On separate buses, carrying the "Stop Distracted Driving" message, Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter will cross the nation visiting all 32 NFL team training camps.

Although some leading Democrats support a gas tax increase in the next surface transportation reauthorization, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, who testified at a hearing Tuesday, confirmed that the administration does not support any increase in the gas tax.

At this year's event, experts from around the country will explore accomplishments since the first summit, as well as the many challenges that lie ahead. Key topics will include research, technology, policy, public outreach and best practices in enforcement.

The internship program will expand from one to 10 regions of the country, enabling young women from colleges and universities across the country to participate. It will be administered through the Department's 11 Small Business Transportation Resource Centers.

While most of the backlog can be attributed to rail, more than 40 percent of the nation's buses are also in poor to marginal condition.