Shipping:
*Ocean shipping: Port Tracker report says volumes may be inching back up -- Although ongoing economic issues are slowing down traffic at U.S.-based retail container ports, monthly growth is still occurring, with ports possibly returning to year-over-year growth by the end of October, according to the monthly Port Tracker report by the National Retail Federation. The ports surveyed in the report—including Los Angeles/Long Beach and Oakland--handled 1.26 million TEU (Twenty-foot equivalent units) in April, the most recent month for which numbers are available. This monthly performance is 8.9 percent better than March’s 1.16 million TEU, which was the lowest volume recorded since February 2006’s 1.1 million. Logistics Management 6/9/08
Ship that spilled oil in SF Bay blames US -- A container ship's owner blames the U.S. government for a major San Francisco Bay oil spill last year because the ship's pilot was granted a license despite a history of drug and alcohol abuse. The counterclaims draw heavily on media and investigative revelations about pilot Capt. John Cota's past. Among the disclosures cited by Regal Stone is the fact, first disclosed by The Associated Press in January, that Cota had a sleep disorder and was on prescription medication to ward off drowsiness, as well as Valium. SF Chronicle 6/8/08
Infrastructure:
Richmond pledges action on rail-crossing delays -- More freight trains, long a headache for drivers idling in traffic and residents living near tracks, are moving through more densely populated areas of Richmond. A federal agency has nixed a deal between Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway and Union Pacific that allowed BNSF to run 120-car trains on UP tracks that circumvented the center of the city. The new ruling means one to two long trains a day will run on BNSF tracks with more grade crossings through more of the city, traveling at no more than 10 mph. CC Times 6/4/08
Oakland PD's Harleys have a new roar -- Over in Oakland they like it loud - so loud that all 45 of the Police Department's Harley-Davidson motorcycles have been equipped with shiny new tailpipes, at a cost of $500 apiece, to rev up their roar. "There's an old motorcycle adage that you are heard before you are seen," said Deputy Chief Dave Kozicki, explaining the department's decision to toss the bikes' muted factory-issued mufflers in favor of the more high-volume pipes. Kozicki cited an accident three months ago in which an Oakland officer riding a toned-down cycle was struck by a motorist who said he hadn't heard the officer approaching. SF Chronicle 6/9/08
Schwarzenegger plans to borrow from smog, nail salon funds to ease deficit -- The governor's latest plan to close a $15.2 billion budget gap in the state's $101.8 billion general fund would dip into pots of money in "special funds" intended to further the state's regulatory and environmental cleanup efforts. Among the special fund borrowing the governor has proposed:
• $25 million from vehicle inspection fees to administer the Smog Check Program.
• $40 million from smog abatement fees to repair or retire vehicles that have failed a biannual smog inspection. Sacramento Bee 6/8/08
Mass transit:
*Nothing TEPid about Muni's proposed route changes -- These cuts are two of many proposals being studied by Muni as part of its Transit Effectiveness Project, which, if implemented, would result in the most comprehensive bus rerouting done in my memory. Meanwhile, here's a quick rundown (with .pdf links to the proposed new routes) of how things would look locally if TEP was implemented as things currently stand: SF Examiner 6/7/08a
AC Transit directors to discuss higher fares -- The AC Transit governing board will discuss on Wednesday possible fare increases to offset skyrocketing fuel costs, which alone have added $5.85 million to annual operating costs. AC Transit's Board of Directors already has held public hearings on proposed fare increases, and Wednesday's meeting could be the public's final opportunity to address the board before it votes on the matter. SF Chronicle 6/9/08
Tourism:
Plans aplenty for Alcatraz are on table -- The idea to turn one of the historic buildings on Alcatraz into a hotel is among a variety of proposals by the National Park Service, which will shape the future of five areas of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, including Stinson Beach in Marin County and Muir Woods National Monument. While no price tag is being discussed for any of the projects, the Park Service has been holding meetings with Bay Area residents, jotting down their comments and concerns. SF Chronicle 6/8/08
High-speed rail:
UP balks at bullet-train plan -- In a potential blow to California's bullet train dreams, a major railroad is refusing to share its right of way on portions of the planned 800-mile line.The dispute between the Union Pacific Railroad and California High Speed Rail Authority comes five months before voters will consider a $9.9 billion bond measure to jump-start the $40 billion project. Sacramento Bee 6/7/08
Levitating Train From Las Vegas To Los Angeles Gets Boost -- Plans for a levitating train from Las Vegas to Disneyland can move forward under a transportation bill signed by President Bush on Friday that frees up $45 million for the futuristic project. Derided by critics as pie in the sky, the train would use magnetic levitation technology to carry passengers from Disneyland to Las Vegas in well under two hours, traveling at speeds of up to 300 mph. It would be the first MagLev system in the U.S. Huffington Post 6/6/08
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