Across the country, labor, environmental, school and community groups banded together to demand financial support to keep public transportation available to all citizens. Some won the public eye, but not more of the federal purse just yet.

Saddled with budget issues, many maintenance departments are asked to find ways to be more efficient. METRO looks at some agencies from around the nation that are stepping up to the challenge through reorganization, training, preventive maintenance and using new software systems.