Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

A grant from the Wisconsin Clean Transportation Program helped the coach operator convert its fleet from gasoline to propane autogas, add hybrid-electric vehicles, and build a propane refueling station.

Rockland County is planning to replace its oldest TRIPS minibuses that serve the elderly and disabled with smaller vans to save money and adapt to changing needs. The county has approximately $770,000 in federal and state funds to buy five new minibuses and 10 new vans.

System needs state tax investments in bridge work, signals, new train engines and other improvements. Bridge work would improve on-time performance. Train engines initially scheduled for replacement in 2004 were delayed until 2013.

The bus system, called Starkville MSU Area Rapid Transit, will connect the city of Starkville to the Mississippi State University campus.

Touts revisions of new business plan and urges state Legislature to immediately approve funding for the project.

Local officials from the Southwest, Northwest and Eastern regions are all seeking $100 million or more in state funding for each of three possible light rail lines. However, in the Republican-controlled legislature, both houses have resisted providing even a $25 million down payment on the state’s share of the proposed $1.25 billion line in the Southwest Corridor.

Democrats have threatened to block a two-year, $85 billion budget proposal for a third time if additional money isn’t added for Metro’s expansion to Washington Dulles International Airport.

Envisions an entity that would make loans for energy, transportation and municipal development projects to leverage private investment and create jobs.

The Wisconsin legislature committee voted to end four newly formed regional transit authorities, including one responsible for a proposed commuter rail line from Milwaukee to Kenosha. Lawmakers also voted to cut funding for bike and pedestrian paths.

The 15 percent reduction in service, spurred by a lack of dedicated state funding, is causing bus overcrowding and trolleys running fewer trips.