New transit solutions promise jobs now, livability gains for years to come

This morning, as part of President Obama's livability initiative, Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff and I announced over $290 million in new transit funding for projects that will enhance the quality of life in communities across America. The 53 grants will fund new streetcars, buses, and transit facilities from Manchester, NH, to Albuquerque, NM, through FTA's Urban Circulator and Bus Livability programs.

Administrator Rogoff summarized the benefits of this funding perfectly: "These projects mean jobs now and major transit improvements that will last for years to come."

With these grants, six more US communities will soon have streetcars like Portland

I am thrilled about these awards because the jobs and the economic development and the mobility choices this livability funding sets in motion demonstrate so clearly the progress the Obama Administration has made possible in just 18 months.

Communities around the US have been enthusiastic partners, looking for opportunities to advance good projects that have solid ridership expectations, that create opportunities for economic development, that have demonstrable environmental benefits, and that increase access for transit-dependent people.

For $130 million in urban circulator grants, we received more than $1 billion in applications. And for the $160 million in bus grants, we received over $2 billion in applications.

That's a sign that America is ready for better connectivity, more transportation choices, and greater livability.

And streetcars have become a very popular way to achieve those outcomes. In Charlotte, for example, the streetcar will provide an east-west transit spine connecting people to the 10,000 jobs and array of top-flight medical services at Presbyterian Hospital. It will also connect to Central Piedmont Community College, whose students are all commuters. And it will connect to the Charlotte Transportation Center for access to the Charlotte Area Transit System's many bus lines and Lynx light rail system.

Cincinnati is another example of a promising streetcar through an urban core. Mayor Mark Mallory and the Cincinnati City Council realize that streetcars are a great engine to improve livability and drive economic development in Cincinnati's downtown. Cincinnati's residents and visitors don't want to wrestle for scarce parking spaces; they don't want to fight roadway congestion. They want to get to jobs, services, and retail stores without a hassle.

Alameda County, CA, is already greening its fleet with hybrids and  zero-emission vehicles

With 47 projects, bus transit is also a huge part of these awards. The 34th Street Transitway in New York City will create a distinct bus lane, isolated from automobiles, and make 34th Street safer for pedestrians. A grant for more efficient buses will allow Manchester to provide better service in communities with smaller roadways--allowing elderly residents access to medical care while reducing transit operating costs and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

In San Francisco, the Phelan Loop Bus Facility project offers a model of the gains our Partnership for Sustainable Communities with HUD and EPA can achieve. That project includes plans to maintain and create affordable housing, relocate a bus turnaround that dates back to the 1930s, and introduce service by Zero-Emission Vehicles. Walking access from affordable housing to a major transit center that is served by a green fleet--that is livability.

Look, in the end, our goal is to provide cleaner, safer, and more efficient ways to get around in communities that want those alternatives. And today's grants are a huge step in that direction.

Comments

[anonymous]

This is great, with the added benefit of being politically expedient, as the bulk of the big job-creating grants (like streetcar construction) went to swing states.

[Michael]

Excellent news! Lots of great, deserving projects in there. Keep it coming.

[Benjamin]

more transport is a good thing, but im shocked at just how much this is costing. I understand the money has to come from somewhere, and think god for grants like that!

[billb]

That is great news , and I love that you show a picture of our beloved Portland Streetcar , which I ride regularly. I invite one and all to read an article that I wrote for yesterday's Portland Tribune on the Green / Cost Benefits of a Park - Roof for the proposed Columbia River Crossing Multi - Modal Bridge between Oregon and Washington. Hope you like it Mr. Secretary , and if you get a chance , show it to your boss. {-:

http://www.portlandtribune.com/sustainable/story.php?story_id=127810849697704800

[Michael E. Bailey]

Improving public transportation is another major benefit of the Recovery Act. And street cars are an important means of connecting different parts of a transit system together. Here in Orange County, there is planning for street car line. One would include the cities of San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, and Dana Point. While another street car line would include the cities of Santa Ana and Garden Grove. We need buses that don't need petrolium products for their fuel and that are accessible, like the SMART Bus, witha low floor that is even to the curb at the bus stop so you can walk on or ride on in your wheelchair without having to climb steps or waiting for a wheelchair ramp to deploy. It would be great for the safety of all fixed route buses if there were funding to implement Recommendation H-10-07 of the NTSB for transit buses as well as tour and charter coaches. H-10-07 was one of 7 recommendations issued yesterday and says "Require that all buses (above 10,000 lbs) gross vehicle weight rating be equipped with on board recording systems that: (1) record vehicle parameters, including, at minimum, lateral acceleration, longitudinal acceleration, vertical acceleration, heading,vehicle speed, engine speed, driver's seatbelt status, braking input, steering input, gear selection, turn signal status (left/right), brake light status (on/off), headtail light status (on/off), passenger door status (open/closed), emergency door status (open/closed), hazard light status (on/off), brake system status (normal/warning); (2) record status of any additional seatbelts, airbag deployment criteria, airbag deployment time, and airbag deployment energy; (3) record data at a sampling rate sufficient to define vehicle dynamics and be capable of preserving data in the event of a vehicle crash or an electrical power loss; and (4) are mounted to the bus body, not the chassis, to ensure recording of the necessary data to define bus body motion." Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.

[Boom Trucks]

New transit funding is great. It will create a lot of jobs. I'm pretty worried about tax liability in the future though. Lets hope Obama can double our GDP in the next few years like he talked about on the news. If that happens we will be in a LOT better shape. Everybody pray it happens cuz man do we need it!

[Haidee AutoBodyShop]

This is very good news, new opportunity for the community and it helps people at the same time. Two thumps up for this!

[Boudoir Photography]

That would be a great solution in the state of florida exept our governor opose a 2 billion dollar grant for the federal goverment for a highg speed raild road, now the money and the jobs are going some where else.