Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

Will help the four major transit agencies in New York and New Jersey that sustained the greatest damage from Hurricane Sandy. Nearly one-third of the money is set aside to help the agencies begin investing in resiliency projects to help ensure that their transit assets are better able to withstand future disasters, such as major floods.

The majority of the funds will go to the transit agencies that incurred the greatest expenses while preparing for and recovering from Hurricane Sandy — N.Y. MTA, PATH, NJ Transit and NYC DOT.

The line, which officially opened on Jan. 28, has already generated $2.7 billion in development along the streetcar’s new corridor, including new apartments, condominiums, and an entertainment/sports complex.

Last month, the state legislature established a regional transit authority for Metro Detroit, in response to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood’s requiring one before he would release funding for M-1 light rail streetcar project.

May be just weeks away. Lawmakers are still debating the creation of a regional transit authority, which would also operate a light rail line in Detroit.

DOT Secretary Ray LaHood asked Mayor Dave Bing, Gov. Rick Snyder and members of the private M-1 Rail group about Detroit’s 3.3-mile, $137 million rail line project costs and who would eventually run it.

Agency says RC Investments Inc. failed to use properly licensed drivers and implement a driver drug and alcohol testing program. In addition, the carrier failed to regularly inspect its vehicles and ensure that its drivers are medically qualified.

While he did not give a reason for leaving the Administration, he did say that he is looking into opportunities in the private sector. LaHood served as an Illinois Republican congressman for 14 years.

Investigators found hours-of-service and multiple drug and alcohol testing violations for the company, Mr. Ho Charter Service, which operated a motorcoach that crashed on the Pennsylvania Turnpike on June 27. The co-driver was killed and 24 passengers and the driver were injured.

Can now begin spending a $16 million grant that will support scheduling and safety improvements, including the design of a positive train control technology system, on the San Francisco to San Jose corridor.