Public Transit

The Department of Transportation (DOT) announced on Thursday that it was awarding $3.7 billion to public transit systems that were damaged by Hurricane Sandy last year.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said the money would be used to help transit agencies in New York and New Jersey repair equipment that was damaged in the storm, as well as prevent future reoccurrence.

"We continue to work closely with the transit agencies hit hardest by Hurricane Sandy to ensure they can recover from this terrible disaster and emerge stronger than before,” LaHood said in a statement. “The millions of riders in New York and New Jersey deserve a robust public transportation network that can deliver the service they depend on every day.” 

A bipartisan pair of lawmakers in the House announced on Thursday that they were forming a caucus for public transportation supporters.

The lawmakers, Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D-Ill.) and Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.), said the caucus would "provide a forum for members of Congress to engage in constructive dialogue on the challenges and needs of mass transit agencies across the country."

“Buses, trains, and light rail that run safely and reliably reduce congestion on our roads, improve travel times across all modes, cut down on air pollution, and make our communities more attractive places to live, work, and own businesses,” Lipinski said in a statement. 

Your morning transportation speed-read:

Your morning transportation speed-read:

Your morning transportation speed-read:

Your morning transportation speed-read:

The union for public transportation workers is pushing Congress to pass a bill to allow state and local governments to collect sales taxes.

More tax dollars for municipal governments means more possible money for them to dedicate to public transportation systems, the Washington, D.C.-based Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) said on Tuesday.

ATU President Larry Hanley said in a statement the Internet sales tax bill would provide "much needed funding to meet … rising demand" for public transportation.

"Many local transit agencies rely on sales taxes so a larger sales tax base would provide more funding for public transportation," the ATU said in a press release announcing its support for the Internet sales.  

Your morning transportation speed-read:

Your morning transportation speed-read: 

Passengers on San Francisco's Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) could be banned from riding trains if they break the systems rules beginning on Monday.

The agency is planning to begin enforcing a state law that allows it to ban passengers for anywhere between 30 days and a year.

Offenses that could get passengers the boot include "engaging in unruly behavior," carrying hazardous materials or urinating on BART trains or stations, the agency said this week.

BART officials said the "prohibition order" law would make its transit system more safe.