Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

The board plans on meeting at the end of April to take public comment on the participation-withdrawal question and to gather more information from Columbia River Crossing officials before voting in mid-May.

Planners are seeking public input on a proposed 27-mile route that would operate along the proposed 3.4-mile Woodward Avenue light rail project.

The agency hopes to receive replacement parts by late April and install and test them in May, but requires regulatory approvals before it can return any of its trains to service.

Even though the agency’s board of directors only voted to seek offers from consultants to continue developing the concept, some board members expressed concerns about moving forward on an effort that was shot down in last year's election.

At a meeting held by Triangle Transit to talk about the future of affordable housing along a planned rail corridor, presenters said light rail projects around the country have shown it is important to start early to procure affordable housing nearby.

Monies are part of $255 million in federal funds currently available for the Honolulu rail transit project this fiscal year. The project to date has $320 million available in federal funds under the Full Funding Grant Agreement.

This step makes the first major expansion of the Baltimore region’s transit network since the early 1990’s eligible for future federal approvals and funding.

The new $18 million project will be a mixed-use arts facility containing 57 rental units of affordable live/work space for artists and their families. The ground floor will include a community room and 12 commercial spaces for non-profits, creative enterprises and related businesses.

Launched in 2008, the SPRINTER has become the backbone of east/west public transit in North County, serving 15 stations along a 22-mile route from Escondido to Oceanside. The rail line has seen record-breaking ridership in recent months, with averages of over 10,000 passengers per weekday.

The $48.7 million contract is for final design and construction of parking facilities for the future Gold Line stations, as well as enhancements at and around the stations to improve intermodal connectivity for train riders arriving by bus, foot or on bicycles.