This week, Connecticut Post reporters have been walking, biking and taking trains and cars to work and facing the challenge of getting around mass transit’s missing links. Read more about this story by clicking on this environmental headline above.

In an attempt to balance the upcoming state budget, one area that will see severe cuts is the state’s Municipal Grant Program. The $4 million program, which provides funds to municipalities and transit districts for senior and disabled transportation, was reduced by 25%, according to 9 Town Transit Executive Director Joseph Comerford.

The prospect of a balanced budget in Connecticut is unclear now that an agreement with state employee unions appears at risk of collapse. But one positive highlight from the state’s budget was the shielding of more transportation revenue from being diverted to the State’s General Fund.

It’s very hard to serve sprawl by transit. If folks live helter-skelter all over the countryside, they are pretty much relegated to driving. If we want to make transit work, two things have to happen: People need to live near it, and it has to go where they want to go.

Matthew Stevenson argues that it’s little wonder everyone drives.

The biggest problem with American public transportation, he writes in NewGeography.com, is that it lacks a critical mass.

The infrequent service is more of a problem than the slow speeds, which could be padded over with comfortable seats, wifi, and better coffee. Amtrak has only one train a day north of Springfield, which in turn has one train to Boston and spotty bus service.

The Town of Westbrook and 9 Town Transit held a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday, August 31, to unveil the area’s first bus shelters. The Day reports witih photo.

The MTA wants to eliminate a 2 percent discount on people who buy monthly tickets, the 4 percent discount for people who also use the MetroCard, invalidate 10-trip tickets after three months, rather than the year duration that exists now, and invalidate round-trip tickets after seven days instead of three months. via Transit measures are
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Sens. Chris Dodd and Joe Lieberman have announced nearly $15 million in four federal grants for transit improvement projects throughout Connecticut. The Connecticut DOT was granted the funds by the Federal Transit Administration for a series of projects benefiting Hartford, West Hartford, New Britain, Newington and Bridgeport.

Two grants totaling nearly $6 million will be used for land acquisition, professional services, and site work for the New Britain-Hartford Busway.

HARTFORD — Connecticut is facing a growing list of interrelated transportation problems, including aging infrastructure, worsening traffic buildup on state highways, and inadequate integration of existing facilities, the state’s top transit planner said yesterday. via State faces growing list of transit woes – StamfordAdvocate. Blog this! Bookmark on Delicious Digg this post Recommend on Facebook
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Gov. M. Jodi Rell has announced that her colleagues from Massachusetts and Vermont – Governors Deval Patrick and Jim Douglas, respectively – have joined her in strongly supporting Connecticut’s application to the Federal Rail Administration (FRA) for a $220 million grant for construction work on the long-planned New Haven-Hartford-Springfield, Massachusetts high-speed commuter rail line. Blog
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Sometimes we commuters feel like Howard Beale from the 1976 movie “Network”.  We’re as mad as hell and we’re not going to take it anymore! The MTA, parent of Metro-North, is at it again.  Under the guise of balancing their budget, they’re proposing rules changes that will penalize riders, hike fares and discourage ridership.  For
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HARTFORD — As Gov. M. Jodi Rell this week seeks $486 million in bonding for two mass transit projects, she’s getting tough questions from an unexpected source: Democratic legislators. via Three Top Democrats In Legislature Skeptical About Rell’s Mass Transit Plans – Courant.com. Blog this! Bookmark on Delicious Digg this post Recommend on Facebook Share
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A coalition of regional planning and transportation groups called Wednesday for gubernatorial candidates to create state transportation policy that fosters bus and rail projects and development around transit stations, along with raising new project revenues through tolls and offering tax credits to jump-start denser development in urban areas. As the Connecticut gubernatorial race heats up,
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More riders, aging mass transit systems and inadequate money for maintenance and upgrades — a familiar story line for commuters and those faced with the task of keeping the trains running. What is new this summer is that the problems are making headlines again, in part because of an extended heat wave that has smothered
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… It is heartening that Connecticut has made genuine progress in improving its transportation system. Mass transit and other transportation issues have been some of my top priorities since I became involved in state government, particularly as a new ranking member of the legislature’s Transportation Committee. Senator Toni Boucher (R-26) represents the communities of Bethel,
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My father taught me that “there’s no such thing as a free lunch.” I’m trying to teach my daughter that there’s no such thing as a free ride. With a newly minted driver’s license, she’s found new freedom behind the wheel… until I ask her to fill the gas tank. Now, as we drive past
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NEW BRITAIN — The unexpected departure of state Transportation Commissioner Joseph Marie has left questions about how his leaving will affect mass transit projects either under way or scheduled to start in the near future. Marie, who reportedly was locked out of DOT headquarters in Newington Tuesday, had been at the top spot in state
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Gov. M. Jodi Rell has announced that state Department of Transportation Commissioner Joseph F. Marie has submitted his letter of resignation in order to pursue long-term employment opportunities and spend more time with his family. The Governor has appointed Deputy Commissioner Jeffrey Parker to be commissioner. Blog this! Bookmark on Delicious Digg this post Recommend
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Cranes and work crews visible from the infamous “Q Bridge” are evidence of a massive, $2.2 billion project to replace the old and overcrowded span-a long-overdue improvement, most area motorists would agree. But the project stands for more than a smoother ride to work: It is the last highway expansion of its size in Connecticut,
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Whether you’re a daily commuter, an occasional day-tripper or have friends visiting this summer, everyone can save money when you go into NYC by following this time-tested advice: TRANSITCHEK:  See if your employer subscribes to this fabulous service, which allows workers to buy up to $230 per month in transit using pre-tax dollars.  If you’re
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