Stimulus Money for Mass Transit | Next American City: “Transportation for America, a broad new coalition that ranges from planning and architectural organizations to the National Association of Realtors and other business interests, praised the amendment as, “a critical step towards creating jobs, providing much-needed support to ailing transit systems across the country, ensuring access
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Little piece of good news | 1000 Friends of Connecticut Blog: “A quick note on the stimulus package. All things considered, mass transit got a better deal; the assigned funds went from 10 billion to 13 billion. Still less than roads and less that what the US needs, but it is some good progress; people
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Connecticut Legislators Told To Focus On Mass Transit — Courant.com: “After decades of steady devotion to its highway system, the state needs to shift attention and money to mass transit, pedestrian walkways and bike paths, alternative transportation advocates said at two forums in Hartford Thursday.” Provided by www.CTEnvironmentalHeadlines.com

Commentary: Progress finally being made on Danbury rail line – NewsTimes.com: “Those of us who have fought so long to ensure that a revitalized rail line from Danbury to Norwalk is a key component of Connecticut’s mass transit system are greatly encouraged by recent efforts to upgrade our historic train line by Gov. M. Jodi
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Smart Growth Working Group to release its legislative agenda at Jan. 26, 2009 Press Event | 1000 Friends of Connecticut Blog: “The Smart Growth Working Group will release its 2009 legislative agenda at a press event at the Legislative Office Building, Capitol Avenue, Hartford. The event will be hosted by Representative Brendan Sharkey, chair of
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All Hail To Rail, DOT Commissioner Says — Courant.com: “I knew we might have a different sort of transportation commissioner on our hands when I bumped into Joseph Marie in the fleece aisle at REI. Then, a few days later, I heard him tell legislators more than just the usual about fixing highways and bridges.
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From a list of Proposed Bills of note from ctlocalpolitics.net: “Rep. Drew wants to enact a tax credit for employers to encourage the use of mass transit.” Provided by www.CTEnvironmentalHeadlines.com

“What we really need to do is help people make their homes energy-efficient, to give them mass transit choices,” says Roger Smith, energy and climate specialist in Connecticut for the environmental group Clean Water Action. (PATRICK RAYCRAFT / HARTFORD COURANT / January 8, 2009) Environmentalist: Help More People Make Energy-Efficient Choices — Courant.com: “Q&A with
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ConnPIRG wants federal funds steered in new direction- The New Haven Register: “President-elect Barack Obama plans to spend federal money to improve the nation’s transportation infrastructure, but state wish lists so far favor new roads, which will attract more cars, rather than repairs and mass transit, according to the Connecticut Public Interest Research Group.” Provided
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Group wants stimulus used for infrastructure repair – The Advocate: “States are seeking a total of $44.8 billion for road projects and only a quarter of that amount, $11.8 billion, for mass transit projects, according to ConnPIRG, which did the analysis. But highway expansion is less urgent than shoring up the nation’s roads and bridges
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Legislators say revenue from higher federal gas taxes should fund repairs – Greenwich Time: “A large share of a proposed federal gas tax increase should finance myriad projects to ease Interstate 95 congestion, repair state bridges and increase mass transit in Connecticut, state legislators and others said Friday.” Provided by www.CTEnvironmentalHeadlines.com

New York City to Install Super-Efficient LED Streetlamps | Inhabitat: “Over the past year we’ve been thoroughly impressed with New York’s ever-lengthening list of green credentials. The Big Apple already has a plastic bag tax, an amazing mass transit system, LEED certified skyscrapers, and car free zones, and we’re excited to announce that NYC will
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DOT taps expert on mass transit – The New Haven Register: “HARTFORD — A top executive of the New Jersey Transit Corp. was named Monday to lead the state’s efforts to increase public transit in Connecticut.” Provided by www.CTEnvironmentalHeadlines.com

Connecticut Fund for the Environment Pushes for Economic Growth: Prioritizes Environmental Protections that Grow Jobs | CT Environmental Headlines: New Haven – Connecticut Fund for the Environment today released a list of legislative priorities designed to boost environmental protections that benefit the economy and positively impact job growth. Curt Johnson, Senior Program Director and Staff
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Sen. Charles Schumer said mass transit needs $20 billion in stimulus plan funding. — Newsday.com: “Sen. Charles Schumer said Sunday that he hopes to direct $20 billion of President-elect Barack Obama’s proposed economic stimulus plan to mass transit, including projects on the Long Island Rail Road and New York City subways.” Provided by www.CTEnvironmentalHeadlines.com

Don't derail mass transit – The Boston Globe: “THE PEOPLE are voting with their seats. Americans took 10.3 billion subway, bus, and rail trips in 2008, the most in 50 years, according to the American Public Transportation Association. This trend needs to accelerate in the federal stimulus plan expected early next year.” Provided by www.CTEnvironmentalHeadlines.com

MTA approves rate increase for rail commuters | WTNH.com: “Bridgeport (AP) – New York mass transit officials have approved a ‘doomsday’ budget that could mean 23 percent rates hikes for Connecticut rail commuters.” Provided by www.CTEnvironmentalHeadlines.com

Gridlock an issue for rail station – Greenwich Time: “A possible expansion of the Stamford railroad station and transit-oriented development nearby must be meshed carefully to prevent gridlock, a business leader and commuter advocate said. Joseph McGee, vice president of public policy for the Business Council of Fairfield County and a member of the Metro-North
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PBS Turns Attention to MTA Crisis « Mobilizing the Region: “As part of its “Blueprint America” program, PBS affiliate Thirteen/WNET New York will air a “New York Voices” segment about the MTA’s financial crisis and its impact on the major proposed and existing transit capital projects slated for completion over the next decade. The program
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Commissioner: DOT must embrace change – The Advocate: “STAMFORD – Choosing good leadership, cooperating with cities and towns, and creating plans to improve rail, bus and other mass transit in Connecticut are areas the state Department of Transportation needs to improve, Commissioner Joseph Marie told local business leaders Wednesday.” Provided by www.CTEnvironmentalHeadlines.com