This article was published more than 1 year agoCommentGift ShareAmtrak CEO William J. Flynn on Thursday took a shot at the proposed maglev train line for the Northeast Corridor, telling Congress the technology is vastly more expensive and environmentally disruptive than conventional and high-speed rail — and once built, it would serve only the rich.“The huge public expenditures required to construct a maglev line would benefit only a small number of affluent travelers,” Flynn said during to the House subcommittee on railroads, pipelines and hazardous materials.“Constructing a maglev...…This article was published more than 1 year agoCommentGift ShareAmtrak CEO William J. Flynn on Thursday took a shot at the proposed maglev train line for the Northeast Corridor, telling Congress the technology is vastly more expensive and environmentally disruptive than conventional and high-speed rail — and once built, it would serve only the rich.“The huge public expenditures required to construct a maglev line would benefit only a small number of affluent travelers,” Flynn said during to the House subcommittee on railroads, pipelines and hazardous materials.“Constructing a maglev...WW…

Transportation A magnetic-levitation train, or maglev, undergoes testing in Yamanashi, Japan, on June 4. (Ko Sasaki for The Washington Post) By A high-speed train that would take passengers from Washington to Baltimore in 15 minutes as an alternative to traffic-choked roads would cut through a swath of public land, raising alarms among researchers who say hundreds of acres of forests and sensitive areas would be destroyed. The 40-mile superconducting system for the magnetic-levitation train, or maglev, would travel aboveground for up to nine of those miles, crossing or touching upon some of...…Transportation A magnetic-levitation train, or maglev, undergoes testing in Yamanashi, Japan, on June 4. (Ko Sasaki for The Washington Post) By A high-speed train that would take passengers from Washington to Baltimore in 15 minutes as an alternative to traffic-choked roads would cut through a swath of public land, raising alarms among researchers who say hundreds of acres of forests and sensitive areas would be destroyed. The 40-mile superconducting system for the magnetic-levitation train, or maglev, would travel aboveground for up to nine of those miles, crossing or touching upon some of...WW…

This article was published more than 1 year agoCommentGift SharePresident Biden’s infrastructure plan calls for an unprecedented boost in federal aid to the nation’s passenger rail system, seeking to address Amtrak’s repair backlog, extend service to more cities and modernize the network in the Northeast Corridor.The American Jobs Plan announced Wednesday calls for $80 billion for rail — money that could be crucial in taking passenger service to cities such as Las Vegas and Nashville, and expand operations across large metropolitan areas such as Atlanta and Houston.“President Biden’s...…This article was published more than 1 year agoCommentGift SharePresident Biden’s infrastructure plan calls for an unprecedented boost in federal aid to the nation’s passenger rail system, seeking to address Amtrak’s repair backlog, extend service to more cities and modernize the network in the Northeast Corridor.The American Jobs Plan announced Wednesday calls for $80 billion for rail — money that could be crucial in taking passenger service to cities such as Las Vegas and Nashville, and expand operations across large metropolitan areas such as Atlanta and Houston.“President Biden’s...WW…

This article was published more than 2 years agoCommentGift ShareThe Federal Railroad Administration has temporarily halted its analysis of the proposed redevelopment of Union Station to revise key parts of the plan, particularly a controversial parking garage planned as part of the overhaul.Amtrak and the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (USRC), the two proponents of a multibillion-dollar expansion of the rail station, confirmed a delay in the federal review, saying the pause is related to amending key aspects of the project that were widely criticized as keeping the station...…This article was published more than 2 years agoCommentGift ShareThe Federal Railroad Administration has temporarily halted its analysis of the proposed redevelopment of Union Station to revise key parts of the plan, particularly a controversial parking garage planned as part of the overhaul.Amtrak and the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (USRC), the two proponents of a multibillion-dollar expansion of the rail station, confirmed a delay in the federal review, saying the pause is related to amending key aspects of the project that were widely criticized as keeping the station...WW…

This article was published more than 2 years agoCommentGift ShareVirginia lawmakers are considering a proposal that would allow bicyclists to yield instead of pause at stop signs in some cases without getting ticketed.The measure before the Virginia General Assembly is in response to demands from an increasing number of bicyclists seeking protections and access to the road, particularly as their numbers rise amid the coronavirus pandemic.Supporters say it will make roads safer for bicyclists after increases in traffic injuries and deaths, while opponents argue it makes the movements of...…This article was published more than 2 years agoCommentGift ShareVirginia lawmakers are considering a proposal that would allow bicyclists to yield instead of pause at stop signs in some cases without getting ticketed.The measure before the Virginia General Assembly is in response to demands from an increasing number of bicyclists seeking protections and access to the road, particularly as their numbers rise amid the coronavirus pandemic.Supporters say it will make roads safer for bicyclists after increases in traffic injuries and deaths, while opponents argue it makes the movements of...WW…

This article was published more than 2 years agoCommentGift ShareA new federal order requiring masks at airports and aboard trains and buses creates a layer of protection for federal safety screeners while putting added pressure on transit drivers and operators on the front lines to enforce the mandate, transit officials say.Across the Washington region, airports and transportation agencies have required passengers to wear face coverings for months, enforcing those rules to varying degrees. The new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention order, effective at 11:59 p.m. Monday,...…This article was published more than 2 years agoCommentGift ShareA new federal order requiring masks at airports and aboard trains and buses creates a layer of protection for federal safety screeners while putting added pressure on transit drivers and operators on the front lines to enforce the mandate, transit officials say.Across the Washington region, airports and transportation agencies have required passengers to wear face coverings for months, enforcing those rules to varying degrees. The new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention order, effective at 11:59 p.m. Monday,...WW…

This article was published more than 2 years agoCommentGift ShareThe Union Station Redevelopment Corporation and Amtrak, the two proponents of a multibillion-dollar expansion of the District’s historic rail station, are urging the federal government to amend key aspects of the project that have been widely criticized as keeping the station too car-centric.The USRC and the passenger railroad say the Federal Railroad Administration, which is leading the federal review of the project, should consider downsizing the parking program envisioned for Union Station, as well as the plan for...…This article was published more than 2 years agoCommentGift ShareThe Union Station Redevelopment Corporation and Amtrak, the two proponents of a multibillion-dollar expansion of the District’s historic rail station, are urging the federal government to amend key aspects of the project that have been widely criticized as keeping the station too car-centric.The USRC and the passenger railroad say the Federal Railroad Administration, which is leading the federal review of the project, should consider downsizing the parking program envisioned for Union Station, as well as the plan for...WW…

This article was published more than 2 years agoCommentGift ShareThe D.C. Council is weighing legislation that would establish new rules for scooter use in the city, including a requirement that the companies that operate the services provide a way for the devices to be locked to racks or poles.The guidelines would prohibit the deployment of e-scooters near schools, set new benchmarks to ensure the devices are available in all parts of the city, and require better signage on streets about scooter restrictions.The legislation, led by council member Mary M. Cheh (D-Ward 3), establishes...…This article was published more than 2 years agoCommentGift ShareThe D.C. Council is weighing legislation that would establish new rules for scooter use in the city, including a requirement that the companies that operate the services provide a way for the devices to be locked to racks or poles.The guidelines would prohibit the deployment of e-scooters near schools, set new benchmarks to ensure the devices are available in all parts of the city, and require better signage on streets about scooter restrictions.The legislation, led by council member Mary M. Cheh (D-Ward 3), establishes...WW…