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
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
How to Ease Women´s Fear of Transportation Environments: Case Studies and Best Practices
Transportation Research Board
Important Traffic Advisory for Downtown LA on Tuesday, October 27th
Examiner
It’s Official: New Leg of Gold Line Opens Nov. 15
CurbedLA
L.A. Metro, Pierce Transit honored by NTI
TransitTalent
LA transport system, Westside subway, long overdue
Daily Bruin
Little Tokyo Hops on the Bus
LA Downtown News
Metro Approves Subway To The Sea Application For Federal Funding
WeHo News
Metro Gold Line Eastside extension to open Nov. 15
LA Times
Metrolink installs first ‘automatic train stop’ in county
Ventura County Star
New Gold Line extension raising safety concerns
Pasadena Star News
Ontario Loses While LAX Gains
Press Enterprise
Riverside bus system hopes to streamline with new collection boxes
Press Enterprise
Save Leimert Crenshaw Line Comments
FixExpo
Senate Climate Bill Triples the House’s Investments in Clean Transportation
LA Streetsblog
Slow, steady FasTrak gains on I-15 – Growth corresponds with Express Lane openings
North County Times
South Pasadena, La Canada Flintridge lose 710 tunnel lawsuit
Pasadena Star News
Study: Amtrak loss comes to $32 per passenger
AP
Subway Adventure
LA Downtowner
Transit Coalition hosts Metro Rail GM at meeting tonight
MetroRiderLA
Ultracapacitors Could Offer The Greenest Way Of Powering City Buses
Impact Lab
U.S. Newspaper Circulation Drops 10 Percent
NPR
View from the Cab
California High Speed Rail Blog
Whine and Cheese Party at Metro
CityWatch
Why Non-Cyclists Should Care About the LA Bike Plan
Illuminate LA
Categories: Policy & Funding, Projects