METRO Briefs

Honolulu opens rail project bidding

HONOLULU – City officials began soliciting bids for the first leg of the controversial $5.3 billion, 20-mile rail transit system, this week. The first contract, worth up to $600 million, covers design and construction of the first 6.5 miles. For the full story, click here.

Phoenix faces inevitable fare increases

PHOENIX – With ridership surging and operating money shrinking, transit officials are considering raising base fares by at least 40 percent. For the full story, click here.

Chicago special-ed student gets service

CHICAGO – The attorney for a six-year-old special education student, who waited more than two months to get bus service, said that an agreement guaranteeing the child will get transportation for the rest of the school year was reached with Chicago Public Schools. For the full story, click here.