Recent Streetsblog LA posts about Transportation Funding

Metro Sort of Passes Budget, Punts on Ansaldo Breda, Insults Public

By Damien Newton | May 28, 2009 | 21 Comments

Photo of poster appearing outside Metro Board Room by Stephen Box. The big news from today’s Metro Board meeting was that after our leaders subjected themselves to the pain of listening to the public, they were able to sorta-kinda pass the FY 2010 budget and put off a decision on whether to abandon their contract […]

Why Buy More Trains If You Can’t Afford to Run Them?

By Elana Schor | May 27, 2009 | No Comments

Down in balmy South Florida, D-Day is approaching for riders of the the popular Tri-Rail transit system. A looming $18 million shortfall has forced the Tri-Rail board to approve a budget that slices daily service and stops all trains by 2011 — although ridership has doubled since 2005. Tri-Rail trains like these could stop running […]

Illinois Congressman Pushes For Pro-Bike Transportation Bill

By Elana Schor | May 19, 2009 | No Comments

Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D-IL), an early supporter of the congressional "complete streets" bill, is circulating a letter to his House colleagues that urges support for pro-bike provisions in the upcoming federal transportation bill. Here’s how Lipinski put it: Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D-IL) (Photo: Washington Post) There is growing national interest in bicycling, and there is […]

Congress Reluctant to Shine Light on Transportation Earmarks

By Elana Schor | May 19, 2009 | No Comments

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is about to unveil a massive bill that will re-authorize federal transportation programs for the next six years. The bill will also include funding for a large number of "earmarks," the congressional pet projects that can include everything from bike trails to Bridges to Nowhere. Earmarks grew largely in […]

LADOT Proposes Eliminating Its Bikeways Department

By Damien Newton | May 18, 2009 | 23 Comments

LADOT Bike Coordinator Michelle Mowery talks to Councilman Tom LaBonge. Photo: Ingrid Peterson Days after the City of Los Angeles sponsored a series of events to celebrate bicycling in Los Angeles, the City Council heard the first draft budget for the 2009-2010 fiscal year as presented by the LADOT. Let’s cut right to the chase, […]

Governor Finds a New Way to Rob Transit Even More

By Damien Newton | May 15, 2009 | 11 Comments

Photo: Trinity County California Republican Party This morning when I saw the L.A. Times headline about new budget cuts announced by Governor Schwarzenegger, I wasn’t worried. After all, I knew this time there wasn’t anything else he could do to damage transportation and transit. How much more damage could be done after he abolished state […]

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