Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

In this role, Robert Ruzinsky will be responsible for agency asset management, capital program planning, development and execution.

Improvements to the corridor will reduce travel time between St. Albans, Vt. and New Haven, Conn., by more than one hour. The project involves installing 10 miles of double track, upgrading a signal system on a portion of the line, and making improvements at 28 road crossings.

The federal funds are being leveraged with money from private sector partners, states, local governments, metropolitan planning organizations and transit agencies.

The measure must pass the Senate before March 31 to avoid the lapse of federal highway programs. Both chambers are scheduled to wrap up legislative business this week before taking a spring recess.

Democrats on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, who felt they did not have a hand in writing the bill, applauded the news and are hopeful to be more involved in the process.

During a trip to Asia in December, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa met with executives from a Chinese investment company, which officials said was arranged to explore alternative investment opportunities.

Concerned board members did not support spending the money with the outlook so bleak for a federal highway and transit bill this year.

Projects funded through these programs must be derived from the Coordinated Transit-Human Services Transportation Plans for the respective regions applying for the grants.

Moderated by J. Barry Barker Jr., executive director of the Transit Authority of River City in Louisville, Ky., the session featured insights from key bipartisan congressional staff members.

Denver, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Seattle and Salt Lake City cited as being particularly successful in moving projects forward, due largely to the willingness of local governments to pool resources and their ability to gain consensus on planning and spending strategies.