http://www.calpirg.org/news-releases/transit-news/transit-news http://www.calpirg.org/news-releases/transit-news/transit-news/traffic-congestion-hurts-california-cities New http://www.calpirg.org/news-releases/transit-news/transit-news/traffic-congestion-hurts-california-cities Tue, 18 Sep 2007 16:58:31 -0500 http://www.calpirg.org/news-releases/transit-news/transit-news/calpirg-applauds-governor-schwarzenegger-for-committing-to-sign-bill-to-strengthen-high-speed-rail-bond Statement by Emily Rusch, http://www.calpirg.org/news-releases/transit-news/transit-news/calpirg-applauds-governor-schwarzenegger-for-committing-to-sign-bill-to-strengthen-high-speed-rail-bond Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:06:17 -0500 http://www.calpirg.org/news-releases/transit-news/transit-news/calpirg-calls-for-passage-of-bill-to-strengthen-high-speed-rail-bond-on-the-november-ballot Sacramento – With a blanket of signed petitions in favor of high-speed rail before them and banners behind them, CALPIRG staff and volunteers stood outside the California State Capitol building Monday and called for the passage of AB 3034 (Galgiani), a bill to update and strengthen the high-speed rail bond measure already on the November ballot. The bill is scheduled for a vote in Senate Appropriations today, and if passed by the committee, could go straight to the full Senate floor for a vote today as well. “Passing AB 3034 is putting the best foot forward for high-speed rail this November,” said Emily Rusch, CALPIRG Advocate. “It’s just good public policymaking to give the voters an updated ballot measure, and so we urge all legislators to support the bill.” Changes to the high-speed rail bond measure in AB 3034 include: · Refers to updated documents: Refers to the 2005 Environmental Report, instead of the High-Speed Rail Authority’s business plan from 2000. Also requires the High-Speed Rail Authority to have an updated 2008 business plan by October. · Further environmental protections: Limits total number of station stops to twenty-four, which prevents new stations over time that could increase sprawl and slow trip times. The bill specifically prohibits a station in Los Banos because of environmental concerns in that region. · More oversight: Establishes a new peer review panel that the legislature and governor’s office help appoint. · Accountability in bond spending: Still limits state funds to 50 percent of each segment. Requires that segments that raise the most funding from external sources get priority for bond funds, and that the segments have detailed funding plans before they receive bond funds. · Allows funding to go to segments of the 800-mile system other than just the segments connecting San Francisco and Los Angeles, although funding is still prioritized for that segment. The planned 800-mile system also includes segments to Sacramento, through Riverside to San Diego, and a regional rail line in the East Bay. “As our population grows we’ll need more transportation options,” said Rusch. “High-speed rail is cleaner and cheaper than the highway lanes and new airport expansions we’ll need without it. With gas prices skyrocketing and an urgent need to solve global warming, California can’t wait any longer to get the train in motion.” http://www.calpirg.org/news-releases/transit-news/transit-news/calpirg-calls-for-passage-of-bill-to-strengthen-high-speed-rail-bond-on-the-november-ballot Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:44:48 -0500 http://www.calpirg.org/news-releases/transit-news/transit-news/squandering-the-stimulus-average-american-households-spent-economic-stimulus-on-gas http://www.calpirg.org/news-releases/transit-news/transit-news/squandering-the-stimulus-average-american-households-spent-economic-stimulus-on-gas Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:51:29 -0500 http://www.calpirg.org/news-releases/transit-news/transit-news/house-addresses-high-gas-prices-by-investing-close-to-2-billion-in-public-transportation Responding to record-high gas prices and the rising use http://www.calpirg.org/news-releases/transit-news/transit-news/house-addresses-high-gas-prices-by-investing-close-to-2-billion-in-public-transportation Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:24:46 -0500 http://www.calpirg.org/news-releases/transit-news/transit-news/house-votes-resoundingly-to-boost-passenger-rail http://www.calpirg.org/news-releases/transit-news/transit-news/house-votes-resoundingly-to-boost-passenger-rail Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:50:36 -0500 http://www.calpirg.org/news-releases/transit-news/transit-news/with-rising-gas-prices-driving-a-surge-in-transit-ridership-advocates-call-for-sufficient-public-transit-funding-in-may-revise http://www.calpirg.org/news-releases/transit-news/transit-news/with-rising-gas-prices-driving-a-surge-in-transit-ridership-advocates-call-for-sufficient-public-transit-funding-in-may-revise Tue, 13 May 2008 13:48:46 -0500 http://www.calpirg.org/news-releases/transit-news/transit-news/new-report-finds-california-public-transit-saves-consumers-more-than-1_2-billion-at-the-gas-pump http://www.calpirg.org/news-releases/transit-news/transit-news/new-report-finds-california-public-transit-saves-consumers-more-than-1_2-billion-at-the-gas-pump Thu, 06 Mar 2008 10:42:13 -0600