Public Transit

Members plan to approve the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act early Tuesday evening.

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) is calling for the House of Representatives to quickly pass funding for restoring transit systems that were damaged by Hurricane Sandy.

After taking fire for not approving funding for Sandy relief at the end of last year, the GOP-led House is expected to vote on a $50.7 billion package this week.

As much as $10.9 billion of the money could go to go toward repairing public transit systems in New York and New Jersey that were damaged by flooding during the late October storm, and fortifying them against future hurricanes. 

Your morning transportation speed-read:

The union for New York City subway drivers is encouraging its members to slow down when they are approaching stations after a series of incidents involving passengers being pushed in front of trains.

The CEO of Chrysler-Fiat is arguing that the European auto market is “broken.”

A former Washington state travel agent is being accused of stealing airline flight miles from customers.

A Washington, D.C., police officer is accused of leaving a child unattended in a hot car.

More than three-fourths of Americans support increasing funding for public transportation systems, the American Public Transportation Association said Monday.

The poll result was released as part of the Washington, D.C.-based APTA’s “State of Public Transportation.” It comes as Congress is gearing up to consider a new Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (PRIIA), which includes, among other things, funding for Amtrak.

APTA’s findings were focused specifically on public transportation, but the group said the numbers showed support for intra-city railways and buses was overwhelming.

“Eighty-one percent of respondents value public transit’s affordable mobility; 79 percent believe public transportation offers opportunity for every segment of the population; while 76 percent of respondents favor increased public transit funding to decrease our dependence on foreign oil and to improve America’s economic security,” APTA said in a news release touting its polling.

Your morning transportation speed-read:

A California airport has withdrawn its request to opt out of Transportation Security Administration security screenings.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is planning to visit Detroit next week, fueling speculation of a light rail funding announcement.

Driverless cars are not popular among automobile manufacturers.

The CEO of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is stepping down.

House Republicans have set a Friday deadline for members to submit amendments to a Sandy relief package that includes $17 billion in emergency appropriations, and an amendment adding another $33.7 billion in relief for longer-term recovery efforts in the northeast.

The deadline sets up the potential for members to propose language to increase or reduce the size of the package, or perhaps offset parts of it with spending cuts. But as of Tuesday, no amendments to the package were listed on the Rules Committee website.

Your morning transportation speed-read:

A man accused of plotting to blow up a New York City subway train has pleaded not guilty.

Salt Lake City International Airport had the most "on-time" flights in America in 2012.

Chrysler is adding apps to its cars' onboard "infotainment" system.

A freight train in Texas collided with a truck carrying a Rolls-Royce.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced Monday that the Department of Transportation was awarding $135 million to a proposed light rail expansion project in Sacramento, Calif.

The money is intended to help Sacramento's Regional Transit (RT) District extend the city's light rail system by 4.3 miles to a college in the southern part of California's capital city.

LaHood traveled to Sacramento on Monday to make the announcement.

"The Obama administration is committed to helping the Sacramento area create a modern, efficient transportation network to spur new economic development and reduce congestion in the region,” he said in statement released by the DOT. “Across America, we’re investing in projects like this one that are built to last and keep our economy moving forward.”

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will travel to Sacramento, Calif., on Monday to make a "major transportation funding announcement," DOT officials said Friday afternoon.

Officials with Sacramento's Regional Transit District have sought to extend the city's light rail system by 4.3 miles to a college in the southern part of California's capital city.

LaHood will make his announcement Monday during an appearance at the school, Cosumnes River College, DOT officials said Friday.  

The legislation that was passed by Congress this week to resolve avert the "fiscal cliff" included a long-sought increase in the tax benefits that are given to people who use public transportation systems to get to work

Transportation advocates had pushed since 2011 to increase the amount public transit riders are allowed to withhold from their paychecks per month from the deductible income on their taxes for their trips to work.

Until the conclusion of the 2009 economic stimulus in 2011, the benefit for transit commuters had been roughly equal to the one given to workers who drive: $230.