TN Moving Stories: Ray LaHood Talks High-Speed Rail, Chris Christie Takes To the 60 Minutes Airwaves, and the MTA Tries to Get A Handle on Health Insurance Cost
NJ Governor Chris Christie appeared on 60 Minutes to talk about his state's dire finances --and explain, once again, why he killed the ARC tunnel. (CBS)
The NYC MTA is selling $350 million in Build America Bonds. (Bloomberg) Meanwhile, the agency is also auditing its health care benefits in an attempt to find out who might be illegally tapping into the system (New York Post). And: NY Daily News transit reporter Pete Donohue says that frivolous lawsuits brought by injured straphangers hurt the MTA--and taxpayers.
A dozen livery cab drivers will begin wearing bulletproof vests for protection in high-crime areas. (New York Daily News)
England's transport secretary will unveil the tweaked high speed rail route between London and Birmingham. (UK Daily Mail)
Ray LaHood talked about trying to build a national high speed rail system on NPR's Weekend Edition. And the DOT wants to ban commercial truck and bus drivers from using hand-held cell phones while driving. (AP)
Author/illustrator/humorist Bruce McCall comes up with a shared streets proposal in the op-ed pages of the New York Times. "Under the new system, sidewalk parking for all vehicles becomes not only mandatory but also illegal — a one-two punch expected to fatten the Department of Finance’s coffers by an estimated $13 million per day in added traffic summonses!"
The National Journal's transportation blog asks: "FAA: Could it finally happen?" The agency, which is operating under its 16th funding extension, "could actually see a multiyear funding blueprint by sometime next summer."
Remember that crisp morning five years ago? When New Yorkers came together and shared cabs, and walked and biked to work...because of the transit strike? Happy anniversary! (CBS New York)
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