Talking Transit in Berlin

 

Talking Transit is in Berlin this week learning about some of the most innovative transportation policies the city has to offer.

 

Stay tuned to future issues of Talking Transit to read more about what we learned.

 

Photo Courtesy of Emily Tapia

 

NEWS
Local News

Chicago transit: House panel OKs bill to require updated fare system – Chicago Tribune “A measure that legislators say would pave the way toward a unified, ticket-free mass-transit system was approved Thursday by a House committee.”

Pace buses may get traffic light priority – Chicago Sun-Times “Buses on some major suburban routes could get "signal priority" -- allowing them to adjust the timing of traffic lights -- under a proposal being considered by Pace.”

Chicago parking meters: Firm admits it wasn't ready – Chicago Tribune “AZ Parking, a company that does business in 16 states and brings in more than $200 million annually, was poorly prepared to take over Chicago's parking meters when the handoff from the city took place Feb. 13, the firm acknowledges.”

Low gas prices fuel Metra's survival – Daily Herald “Low fuel prices will offset depressing sales tax figures, allowing Metra to get through 2009 without a fare increase, officials said.”

Rail funding: Chicago and other 'old rail cities' get a shrinking slice of federal commuter rail funding – Chicago Tribune “Chicago and other cities with long-established rail systems are getting a shrinking share of federal funding for commuter trains, resulting in a $50 billion shortfall to modernize deteriorating transit lines, according to a report to Congress released Thursday.”

Transit cash halted: About $1 billion worth of mass transit improvements may be in jeopardy – Chicago Tribune “About $1 billion worth of mass transit improvements recently approved under the state's mini-capital bill may be in jeopardy, but Chicago-area transit agencies are not yet shelving projects, officials said Wednesday.”
 
Chicago area transit use jumps 9% over last 5 years, RTA says – Chicago Sun-Times “More area residents used public transit, and there was more public transit to use between 2003 and 2007, according to a Regional Transportation Authority report.”

World News

Tallying the toll of transportation privatization – MSNBC “According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, the nation’s infrastructure is in such dire shape that it would take $2.2 trillion over the next five years to reverse decades of underfunding and neglect.”

£80m ‘living bridge’ planned for Thames – Evening Standard “Plans for a new bridge across the Thames lined with shops and homes - similar to the Ponte Vecchio in Florence - are being drawn up by Boris Johnson.”

U.S. lawmaker aims to overhaul DOT – Reuters “The U.S. government would overhaul how it plans and manages big-ticket highway and transit projects in an ambitious proposal being drafted by a senior Democratic lawmaker who oversees transportation.”

Traffic lights covered up by Ealing Council to test congestion 'cure' – Times Online “For six months, lights at up to seven junctions in Ealing will be concealed by bags and drivers will be left to negotiate their way across by establishing eye contact with pedestrians and other motorists.”

Japan Braces for Record Traffic Jams as Aso Cuts Highway Tolls – Bloomberg “Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso's economic stimulus measures are about to unleash the nation's worst highway traffic jams, toll operators and police say.”

Commutes Speed Up as Fewer Drive – Wall Street Journal “As unemployment rises and discretionary income shrinks, millions fewer Americans are driving. For commuters, that means some of the worst bottlenecks in the country are easing.”

‘Green’ Freight Rail System – New York Times “Our national surface transportation plan should build upon the successes of America’s freight rail system, helping passengers and freight move as efficiently and 'greenly' as possible.”

Resources

• Rail Modernization Study: Report to Congress – Federal Transit Administration

• Infrastructure 2009: Pivot Point – Urban Land Institute

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Contact Information

For comments, suggestions or submissions, please contact Emily Tapia Lopez, Associate, at etapia@metroplanning.org or 312-863-6047.