Transporation Daily News May 9

Public transport:

 

BART to sell youth discount tickets on the Internet -- BART will start selling discount train tickets to teenage students over the Internet this September in an attempt to introduce more young people to public transit. The tickets have been sold for years at many intermediate and high schools, but BART officials said sales were disappointing. SJ Mercury 5/8/08

 

BART Aims for a Smoother Ride -- BART is experimenting with ways to give passengers a more comfortable trip. Assistant General Manager of Operations Paul Overseersays a demonstration project with 20 cars will determine the effectiveness of removing some seats to allow more flow, and create additional space for bikes and luggage.  KCBS 5/8/08

 

Infrastructure:

 

*Golden Gate Bridge unveils peak-hour toll plan -- Drivers crossing the Golden Gate Bridge will pay as much as $7 during the morning and evening commutes and on weekend and holiday afternoons if bridge directors approve a congestion-based toll unveiled Thursday. The district already plans to increase by a dollar its current toll of $5 for those who pay with cash and $4 for those who use FasTrak. The congestion-based toll would add a dollar more during the periods of 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 3 to 7 p.m. on weekends and holidays. SF Chronicle 5/9/08

 

*Despite efforts, Market Street traffic lingers -- More than a decade ago, then-Mayor Willie Brown declared in his state of the city address that private cars should be banned on Market Street to make it a more inviting roadway for buses, bikes and pedestrians.  His plan never materialized, and San Francisco's main thoroughfare remains difficult to navigate. But the failed proposal hasn't stopped planners and community activists from dreaming up schemes to fix the heavily traveled corridor that stretches from the Embarcadero past the Castro. SF Chronicle 5/9/08

 

Air travel:

 

What would 'United Airways' mean for Las Vegas? -- While there are clear-cut winners and losers in the prospective merger between Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines - Atlanta keeps the airline's corporate headquarters, while Minneapolis loses its - the outcome isn't as clear, especially for Las Vegas. The outlook was further muddied last week when it became public that US Airways was considering reducing its hub role in Las Vegas. In Business Las Vegas 5/9/08

 

High-speed rail:

 

ACE train updates designed to draw valley support for high-speed rail -- High-speed rail supporters, having shunned San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties in a contested December routing decision, are trying to mend fences with the promise of faster ACE trains to East Bay stations. The carrot is partially designed to lure valley votes for a $10 billion statewide bond measure in November needed for 220-mph bullet trains from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Modesto Bee 5/7/08