Transportation headlines, Tuesday, Oct. 27

by Steve Hymon , October 27, 2009

Here are today’s transpo headlines, courtesy of the Metro library.

The Pasadena Star-News reports that a lawsuit filed by South Pasadena and La Canada against Metro was recently thrown out. The issue was the 710, with both cities saying that it was wrong for Metro to include the 710 gap closure in Measure R (the 2008 sales tax increase) because the project still must be studied. The judge, in essence, said that nothing in Measure R commits Metro to absolutely having to build the project if it’s proven infeasible. That, in my view, makes sense. Many of the Measure R projects have not yet had their full environmental impact reports done yet — and why should that stop the public from having the right to choose to fund them with their tax dollars?

As we reported here last week, Metro Board Member and County Supervisor Gloria Molina did not mince words when it comes to her views of safety issues on the new Eastside Gold Line Extension set to open next month. The L.A. Times picks up on the story today, quoting Molina: “I should be happy; I worked so hard to get it, and I was so satisfied that even though it wasn’t a subway I could live with this, but now I don’t know what to think,” she says. Metro announced Monday that the line will open Nov. 15 and the Board last week approved $4.5 million for safety upgrades on the light rail line.

If you haven’t spent any time lately contemplating whether ultracapicators could power a bus, then I suggest you check out this story on the Impact Lab website. The gist of it: ultracapacitors don’t use that much energy but they have to be almost constantly recharged. One company is testing a system in which buses can recharge for a couple of minutes at bus stops. I’m pretty sure that if I was sitting on a bus that was sitting at a stop charging my head would explode.

Here is the full list of stories:

About One Quarter of Stimulus Money Paid Out
Propublica

All about the California High-Speed Rail Authority and high-speed train project in California
Examiner

Bus riders to OCTA: Save our routes – OCTA board plans to slash service to make up for severe budget shortfalls
OC Register

California, Midwest Would Gain Jobs from Greater Government Investment in Green Transit Buses – Timely Study Coincides with Congressional Debate over Transportation Bill Extension
WorldWire

CA Poised to Reform Auto-Centric Level of Service Environmental Rules
LA Streetsblog

City aims to increase bicycle use
Daily Trojan

Electronic Fare Collection Options for Commuter Railroads
Federal Transit Administration

Gold Line Eastside Extension to Open on November 15th!
LAist

Help decide High Desert Corridor’s A.V. route
Victorville Daily Press

How Bus Transit Can Help the Auto Industry
LA Streetsblog

How Do Angelenos Travel?
LA Streetsblog