Transporation Daily News May 21

Emissions:

 

*Senate panel votes to overturn EPA on California waiver -- A Senate panel voted narrowly Wednesday to overturn EPA's decision blocking California and more than a dozen other states from limiting greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles. The bill by Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee, passed her committee 10-9.  CC Times 5/21/08

 

Transportation:

 

State legislators in overdrive on motor vehicle laws -- The blitz of existing and proposed laws regulating use of the automobile, symbol of freedom, Californians pounding on their steering wheels. Recent laws have banned computer and cellphone use by teenagers while driving, restricted adult drivers to hands-free cellphones, and barred smoking in cars when minors are present. Some say the safety measures are essential; others say Californians' mobility is at stake. LA Times 5/21/08

 

Drivers shun SUV's and travel closer to home for the holiday -- Changing behavior among consumers of oil could be evident during this weekend's Memorial Day holiday, when people are expected to drive less or travel in groups. The Automobile Club of Southern California predicts about 4.7 million Californians will take driving trips of 50 miles or more over the three-day break, down 0.1 percent from last year. Ventura County Star 5/21/08

 

Mass-transit:

 

Fuel costs prompt talk of AC Transit fare hike -- Skyrocketing fuel costs in the last six months alone have added $5.85 million to AC Transit's annual operating costs, prompting agency administrators to seek a fare increase to help balance the budget. The AC Transit governing board will hold a public hearing this afternoon on the proposal to increase fares, although no vote is expected. SF Chronicle 5/21/08

 

*Public transit advocates make case in state Capitol -- Last year, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Legislature diverted $1.3 billion from booming gasoline tax receipts from public transportation to other uses to help cover a budget shortfall. This year, the shortfall in the $101.8 billion budget is more than $15 billion, and the proposed transit diversion from the governor's May budget revision is being repeated by nearly the same amount. Securing the money is so tough that the advocates' starting point this year is not demanding all of the money that's designated for public transit, but the half that was promised for future years in last year's budget deal. CC Times 5/21/08

 

High-speed rail:

 

High-speed rail separate from fiscal crisis? – Journalist Erik N. Nelson’s transportation blog and California High Speed Rail blog bicker over how California’s fiscal crisis should impact spending for HSR with competing posts, prompted by a letter in the Ventura Star tackling the matter. CASR sites financial problems as a lack of revenue; Nelson counters that the money to build doesn’t come for free. 5/21/08