Comments on: Overview

By: Jay

Jay — Wed, 27 May 2009 07:39:35 +0000

I live in Charlotte, And because of our backwards state government in North Carolina, Charlotte will be getting a grand total of $0.00 for mass transit expansion from the stimulus package.

It is also worth noting here that only 5 mass transit projects nationwide were considered “shovel ready” and thus got stimulus money because of red tape. The FTA requires a ten year approval process known as the New Starts program. While this program does eliminate underperforming projects it does limit what transit agencies can do. The FTA recently upped the requirements to receive funding, and the light rail line in this documentary would not have passed the current standards. Which would have been a huge mistake given that the line has exceeded all expectations (opening year forcast-9,000; actual- 14,000) and spurred more than 3 Billion in development within a half mile of the line.

By: James Rochford

James Rochford — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 23:52:12 +0000

To correct my previous post, the photo above is not of the Metro Gold Line at Union Station (in Los Angeles), it appears to be of a train in North Carolina. Additionally, Measure R was the Los Angeles area public transit measure that increased sales taxes by a half-cent, not Measure A. Great episode, by the way!

By: James Rochford

James Rochford — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:41:26 +0000

While I haven’t yet seen this episode of NOW, I’m sure that it will be first rate, as always. With that said, I wholeheartedly embrace public transportation and look forward to its future in the Los Angeles area near where I live (I recognize the image above to be a photo of the Metro Gold Line at Union Station). It’s true, there is a stigma attached to public transportation, especially among those who have never used it. In fact, I’d say that it is that stigma and worries about cleanliness and security that I find cause the most discouragement, especially among potential suburban riders. It’s up to all of us who ride, however, to show those who are reluctant to try it, just how convenient it can be. Make no mistake, it has its limitations and its problems, especially in areas such as Los Angeles. But, with the passage of Measure A and plans to expand services, things are looking better (although, not nearly as quickly as I would like). Remember that public transportation belongs to the public. It’s ours to maintain and it’s up to us to put political pressure on those who would seek to divert funding from it.

By: EcoStreets | Blueprint America - Stimulus Roadblock

EcoStreets | Blueprint America - Stimulus Roadblock — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 18:55:17 +0000

[...] PBS has a good documentary on how one city, Charlotte, North Carolina, will be using the stimulus money on adding another track to its rail system. [...]

By: Draconus Maximus

Draconus Maximus — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 14:37:46 +0000

In all honesty, the stimulus money slated for mass transit will be used and corrupted like the rest of the stimulus pots. It won’t go to new or better transit service. Regulations for use of stimulus are a hodge pudge that amounts to swiss cheese. More ways for transit agencies to abuse the use of the funds. Congress itself could not decide how strict or loosie goosie to make the regulations and individuals within the grant making agency FTA hae concocted their own interpretation to allow misuse of funds under the guise that it helps free up the local fund requirement. These officals within the higher archy of FTA are allowing the violation of the basic and fundamental rules on use of grant funds and don’t truly care if they fail in their mission to be stewards of the public trust with regards to stimulus. Most of these transit agencies have issues with the existing grant programs and are having a hard time contracting out existing work. But I’ll gaurantee that a spin with fluff will be put on it.
As well, someone trying to negate my comments.

Let me wrap it in these last analogous comments:
No matter who knows the truth and how it comes out there is no protection against those you don’t want the truth to be heard – hence no details will be provided in my comments because whistleblower act does not save you.

Secondly, we all have skeltons in our closets, especially those officals we trust are protecting our interests, it is under which bed you find those skeltons that things become interesting and make sense.

By: missingxtension

missingxtension — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 17:42:58 +0000

In order for public transportation to be used it needs to be fixed. While its perfect for going to the ball game, downtown, and any big event. It is not reasonable people who only depend on public transportation. It is not for the public, but for profit. If there is a big event, there will usually be special buses added to the schedule. But there is no permanent change. There is also a stigma with public transportation. That when it comes into town the neighborhoods quality of life goes down, for example trashy. there should not be a need to go park your car at the train station, you should be able to take a bus from your house. I think NOW should shift its focus on real issues that affect real people, maybe you guys should have used nothing but public transportation for a whole month.

By: Jim Frank

Jim Frank — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 18:45:21 +0000

Great Program! I hope we can create a funding system similar to the one used by the highways. The more people ride, the more funding.

By: Streetsblog » Tonight: PBS on Transit, States, and the Stimulus

Streetsblog » Tonight: PBS on Transit, States, and the Stimulus — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 23:51:52 +0000

[...] Streetsbloggers will want to tune in to PBS tonight for the latest installment in the Blueprint America series. At 11pm (on KQED in San Francisco), NOW will look at where all that stimulus cash is headed. Here’s the teaser: [...]

By: Streetsblog » Tonight: PBS on Transit, States, and the Stimulus

Streetsblog » Tonight: PBS on Transit, States, and the Stimulus — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 22:07:29 +0000

[...] Streetsbloggers will want to tune in to PBS tonight for the latest installment in the Blueprint America series. NOW will look at where all that stimulus cash is headed. Here’s the teaser: [...]

By: Streetsblog » Tonight: PBS on Transit, States, and the Stimulus

Streetsblog » Tonight: PBS on Transit, States, and the Stimulus — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 19:25:50 +0000

[...] Streetsbloggers will want to tune in to PBS tonight for the latest installment in the Blueprint America series. At 8:30 (in New York), NOW will look at where all that stimulus cash is headed. Here’s the teaser: [...]