Monthly Archives: August 2015

UPDATE: Mexico-US New Train Bridge

The first train bridge in 100 years is now open between Mexico and the US. 

Statesman

 

 May 7, 2015, Information Intelligence:

Cameron County Judge Suplevada announced that the new US-Mexico bridge will open in July. Background:

  • The new US- Mexico bridge is the first in 100 years
  • It’s original opening date was April 2015
  • What’s holding up the bridge: an x-ray unit that was relocated on the Mexican side
  • Union Pacific will operate rail movements on the US Side
  •  Kansas City…

$32 Billion transportation bond approved in Red State

55% of Phoenix voters approved a $31.7 billion transportation bond package that will add:

  •  Triple Valley Metro’s light rail system
  • Add more buses
  • More city street upgrades
  • 1,150 Miles of Bike Lanes
  • 170 Miles of Sidewalks

The bond package will be backed by:

  • The city’s transportation sales tax will go to 0.7% from the current 0.4%
    • Except for​transactions over $10,000, which are exempted
  • $5.1 billion of ​​Transit fares 

The financials are:

  • $2.9 billion for debt service…

UPDATE: New Federal Rail Administration Technical Report on Texas Central Rail. Central Texas Rail identifying Land Owners

The Houston Chronicle reports this week that Central Texas Rail is moving to identify landowners to negotiate with after last week’s FRA report affirming a preferred straight route for the high speed rail.

Houston Chronicle  See Also: Houston Press  Dallas Morning News  Dallas Business Journal  

 

August 18, 2015, Information Intelligence:

The Federal Railroad Administration issued a report on the proposed path of the Texas Central Rail. Nothing salcious. But, here’s the next…

Municipal Regulation Trend: Ride Share and Airports. Ride Share Wins.

Los Angeles voted this week to approve ride share permits for airports. The measure passed 9-6.

What new regulations will apply to ride share and/or taxis/Limos?

  • LA City Council is formally asking the state PUC, which has rule making authority over ride share, to “add fingerprinting as a part of the required background check process for all for-hire drivers, including those operating limousines, shuttles and ride-hail cars.”
  • As a back-up, the city is researching its authority “to require…

New: House Select Committee on Transportation Planning. 5 Study Topics.

Rep. Joe Pickett, Chair

Members include:

  • Reps. Larry Phillips of Sherman
  • Armando “Mando” Martinez of Weslaco
  • Ron Simmons of Carrolton
  • Lyle Larson of San Antonio
  • Paul Workman of Austin
  •  Debbie Riddle of Houston
  • Armando Walle of Houston
  • James White of Hillister.

The select committee is the result of 2015’s HB 20 by Simmons. The Selecgt Committee will:

  • review and evaluate transportation revenue projections
  • funding categories and project selection criteria
  • rules for project…

Lege Trend: Adjust Rebates for Hybrids. Welfare for Tesla Drivers? 4 Points to Know.

California is limiting the rebate it gives for hybrids. If you earn more than $500,000 per year, no rebate for you! Tax groups label the rebate, “welfare for the rich.”

How does California fund the electric car subsidies? A surcharge on vehicle registration fees and a portion of the smog fee 

California’s Policy Goal: Rapidly increase the percentage of zero-emission vehicles in the state

What’s the program cost so far? $242 million in rebates awarded to 114,702 Californians, mostly in…

TAMU Transportation Institute: Good Economy = Bad Traffic. 7 Strategies to Combat Congestion.

Better economy breeds worse traffic. Rest assured, the Texas A&M Traffic Institute is tracking what states are doing about gridlock. See their list. More importantly, here are the strategies they suggest to counter congestion:

  • greater transportaiton investment
  • Fix existing roads & bridges
  • Increase public trnsportation accessibility
  • Fixing congestion is a LOCAL decision that needs LOCAL solutions
  • Add capacity to critical corridors
  • Give travelers options of multiple routes
  • Support…

3 State Regulatory Trends: Taxing Trains. Oil. Transparency.

3 states in recent months have strengthened regulations for tranporting oil via train. The states:

  • Pennsylvania
  • Oregon
  • Washington

What do the new regulations do?

  • greater policing of oil shipments through inspection, regulation and even lawsuits
  • Washington added a 4-cent-per-barrel tax on oil moved by trains to help pay for clean up from any accidents or derailments.
  • require freight rail companies to notify local emergency personnel when oil trains would pass through their…

5 Ways Utah Reformatted its Transportation Funding. AZ looking to Follow Suit,

Utah lawmakers reformatted transportation funding in 2 significant ways:

  • Utah raised the state gas tax to 12 percent
  • Utah also bolstered the gas tax with an inflation-tied trigger for automatic increases
  • The revised gas tax has  a floor of 29.4 cents per gallon
  • It has a ceiling of 40 cents per gallon.
  • Local voters are limited to adding a 0.25 cent sales tax split between city and county transportation and transit needs.

An Arizona Senator said of Utah,

“In 22 states, and mostly red…