September 30, 2002 in Regulatory News
The Texas Transportation Commission provided only partial relief for the current state funding shortfall. That relief addressed 25 percent of the FY2002-03 funding cut. John Wilson of Citibus provided testimony to the Commission, which met Sept. 26, 2002, on how 100 percent of the cuts could be managed by moving up the normal drawdown of federal rural funds. The remaining portion of those reductions, or 75 percent of the State reduction — was not addressed. See Wilson’s testimony below.
Download: WilsonTTC.doc (26 KB).
September 27, 2002 in General News
Read the Fort Worth take on the need for High Speed Rail in Texas.
Download: HiSpdRailFW.pdf (72.79 KB).
September 27, 2002 in Regulatory News
For your review and reference Texas Transportation Commission Minute Order nos. 109025-109028.
Download: 109025.doc (21 KB).
Download: 109028.doc (25.5 KB).
Download: 109026.doc (20.5 KB).
Download: 109027.doc (20.5 KB).
September 25, 2002 in Legislative News
The Congress has forwarded to the President the Transit Operating Flexibility Act for his signature (or veto). The bill extends the current operating flexibility that small urbanized areas have in the use of federal transit funds for another year. The bill affects those urbanized areas that moved across the 200,000 population threshold between small urbanized and large urbanized areas (UZAs) due to the 2000 Census. The legislation was adopted by a 350-0 vote in the U. S. House and by unanimous consent in the U. S. Senate.
September 25, 2002 in General News
The Dallas Morning-News once again shows why this is the paper to read. In an editorial, the paper has begun to push high speed rail in Texas. “(T}he big question nowadays is is not so much whether Texas will have it [high speed rail], but when, and what kind.” “High speed rail should be very high on the ‘to do’ list of the Legislature …”. “High speed rail is an idea whose time has come.” Thank you, DMN!
Download: 092502HiSp[1].pdf (40.62 KB).
September 25, 2002 in Legislative News
A bill in the U.S. House of Representatives is poised to cut $500 million from the AMTRAK budget and threaten a number of routes, including the Texas Eagle. Texas newspapers cite a potential shut down of nearly all Texas routes at a time when the State is looking to high speed rail. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison said she would “fight this all the way,” if it reaches the Senate. Fort Worth Mayor Kenneth Barr called it a “giant step backward.”
Download: 092502FWAmtrak.pdf (35.49 KB).
Download: 092502HouAmtrak.pdf (65.63 KB).
