Here is a look at some of the transportation headlines gathered by us and the Metro Library. The full list of headlines is posted on the library’s blog.

Argentina: bus drivers sought, no men need apply (AFP)

A new bus line in a town near Buenos Aires, Argentina, has made a unique decision to improve service: they’ve decided to only hire female drivers. Why? The macho behavior of male drivers (“screeching stops and careening turns”) didn’t mesh well with the family-friendly vision of the bus line.

Amtrak seeking Florida’s rail funds (Wall Street Journal)

Amtrak is lobbying for $1.3 billion of the $2 billion in federal high-speed rail funding that Florida Governor Rick Scott refused. Amtrak would use the money to upgrade its rail service in the Northeast Corridor, bringing high-speed rail between Boston and Washington. California (among other states) is also lobbying for Florida’s funds.

How the bicycle economy can help us beat the energy crisis (Grist)

The U.S. consumes 377 million gallons of gasoline each day, and as gas approaches $5 a gallon in some regions, it’s becoming apparent that the costs required for the single passenger automobile lifestyle are simply becoming too high. This article is a plea for another lifestyle, one that doesn’t require any gasoline because its mode – bicycles – are powered by the human body. One interesting fact brought up: 40 percent of driving trips span less than 2 miles, a distance that is not overwhelming for most people to bike. One a related side note, a blogger I follow on Twitter (@thisbigcity) tweeted this today: “96% of people in North America and Europe can walk, and 75% can ride a bike. Sustainable cities should be designed around these people.”