Tars sands equipment represents fragility and high-risk of oil investment

OregonLive.com: "The second of three megaloads in the current series is parked in Pendleton until after Christmas, when it's scheduled to resume its journey to Canada's tar sands. The truck, trailer and cargo are 350 feet long and weigh 804,000 pounds. (Trip Jennings/Portland Rising Tide)"

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Mitigating #autosprawl in Helena, MT

SAVE Transit: "green infrastructure such as bike lanes, street trees, and bioswales and rain gardens to manage runoff. These alternatives have potential to stimulate economic growth(street trees and a more enjoyable pedestrian realm), save money buy utilizing natural systems instead of more expensive grey infrastructure, improve public safety, and protect natural resources."

Letter to Missoulian.com

This year, I have had the honor of serving as an AmeriCorps Volunteer in Service to America alleviating poverty in Montana. My position has been with the SAVE Foundation in Helena. I have had the opportunity to build community through partnerships and engagements in public transit and accessible biking and walking. In this role, I experienced how essential these aspects are to everyone’s ability to be part of a healthy community, not just those with the greatest needs who VISTAs serve most.

My experience has revealed how public transportation is essential in empowering our growing senior population to age in place, as they become unable to drive. As Montana continues to grow, transit will be helpful for spending less time in traffic and more in the mountains.

I have seen that bikes are not just for the fearless and the brave cyclists, but also as means of genuine transportation for children to get to school and peoples’ ability to stay fit.

I’d like to thank this community and all the VISTAs serving across the state. I encourage any recent college graduate to spend a year serving America, especially in Montana. Learn about my experience at savemobile.org.

Matthew Cramer,

AmeriCorps VISTA,

multimodal transportation coordinator,

SAVE Foundation,

Helena

Green Sports and Transportation: The Elephant in the Room

Wharton Penn : "The biggest carbon impact of sports events typically comes from fans getting to and from the game, a factor that teams and leagues can only influence, not control. The Portland Trail Blazers estimate that energy used by the arena is responsible for 24% of its carbon footprint, while 73% is related to transportation: Attendee commuting totals 58%, employee commuting is 11% and business travel accounts for 4%."

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Expanded public transportation would be good for the city

Wyoming Daily Newspaper: "I understand that financing a bus line has the potential to be very costly initially and that the public might be reluctant to put money in a project like this. Long-term, though, a public transportation system has the potential of saving the people of Riverton money on gasoline, less congested streets and parking, and less associated repair on streets. It could create jobs, and it could make Riverton more enticing for newcomers and visitors alike."

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People rally against drastic bus cuts in Seattle

West Seattle Herald: "Recently announced serious cuts to King County Metro Bus service should a funding solution not be found motivated the group to action. The cuts would amount to 17% resulting in the loss of several important bus routes serving West Seattle.
Cuts will affect eight out of every 10 riders, with more than 70 routes eliminated completely. These transit reductions will place an estimated additional 10,000 cars on our overtaxed West Seattle roadways."

Move King County Now -- rally to stop bus cuts

Move King County Now: "Fitzgibbon, McDermott, & Rasmussen join with the West Seattle Transportation Coalition and other West Seattle leaders to rally in support of saving Metro from 17% bus cuts."

Bus money taken for corporate welfare

Legislators Jump to Deliver Tax Breaks for Boeing; Tough Luck for Transit | Transit Riders Union: "Rodney Tom and his cohorts are only too happy to hop over to Olympia for a special session to give Boeing, a Fortune 500 Company, “one of the biggest tax-break bills in Washington-state history” (according to the Washington State Wire)–tax money that Metro sorely needs. But to save bus service and retain a decent transportation system for King County that allows riders to get to work, school, and everywhere else they need to go—for this Rodney Tom tell us “Tough.”"

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Lawmakers at hearing told to pass transportation plan

The Seattle Times: "A spectrum of transit riders, construction workers, business owners, pedestrians, bicyclists, freight carriers and government officials on Monday night urged state lawmakers to pass a multibillion-dollar transportation package.

The hearing, at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Seattle, drew 450 people, including yellow-shirted transit activists and orange-shirted construction laborers."

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Cache Valley Utah Free Transit system gets new center after growing by 600,000 riders

The Herald Journal: : Beutler said increased growth in annual ridership and the ability to expand bus service in the future required CVTD to remodel the Transit Center.

"It allows us to expand the system as the system grows," Beutler said.

He noted that since the original Transit Center was constructed in 2001, CVTD bus service has experienced growth from 1.5 million passenger trips to more than 2.1 million trips anually.

Car-dependency the cause of economic collapse in U.S.

traffIC ON I-405 NEAR THE HIGHWAY 520 INTERCHANGE Photo: Oran Viriyincy

Crosscut.com: "A legislative listening tour so far has shown overwhelming support for a Washington transportation package, although the details of what people want most vary widely. On the Eastside, there's a big emphasis on Interstate 405 improvements. South of Seattle, there's a push to improve access to the Port of Tacoma along Highway 167. And in eastern Washington, they want to finish making Highway 12 four lanes between Pasco and Walla Walla."

A myriad of free public transportation for Mineral County residents

vp-mi.com: "Community Outreach is the 23 passenger fully handicap accessible bus that is owned by Mineral Community Hospital/Mineral Regional Health Center which is absolutely free for anyone and everyone to use. Not just for medical appointments but for any shopping or county courthouse chores; banking, post offices, counselors, Laundromat, lumber and hardware, groceries."

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Transit Justice & Health « OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon

Transit Justice & Health « OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon: "OPAL’s Bus Riders Unite! is a community building and mobilizing effort among bus-dependent people in the Metro Portland Trimet service district.  We focus on meeting, educating, and empowering those most affected by the decline in bus service and the increase in fares.  We seek to identify disparities in funding and service to our communities, and advocate for more accessible, affordable, and safe Triment bus service.  Our focus on mass transit is an integral piece of environmental and social justice in the Pacific Northwest.  OPAL outreaches to bus riders primarily on the #4, #9, #20, #71 and #72 lines, organizes monthly bus rider meetings, and mobilizes to win improved equity and health through public transportation."

Idaho Wildfire Rages On As Media Avoids Mentioning Climate Change

@scottalbro

ThinkProgress: "The seven largest U.S. fire seasons since 1960 have burned in the last thirteen years, and although 2013 may not go on record nation-wide, it has already resulted in the most destructive wildfire in in Colorado history and caused the death of nineteen firefighters in Arizona."

#freetransit advocate running for Seattle city council get 35% of vote

United States: Socialist local candidate wins 35% of vote, enters run-off | Links International Journal of Socialist Renewal: "“Working people in Seattle have a clear political choice for a change. If you want to fight for an alternative to the status quo, join us in the struggle for a citywide $15/hour minimum wage, a major expansion of public transit by taxing Seattle’s millionaires, increased investment in affordable housing, and implementing rent control”, said Sawant."

Native Americans Arrested While Protesting Tar Sands Equipment Transport Through Tribal Lands

AP

ThinkProgress: "Hundreds of Native American protesters and environmentalists created a human barrier on Tuesday, meant to block shipments of oil extraction equipment on its way through tribal lands to the tar sands in Alberta, Canada. Police cleared passage for the trucks by arresting 20 protesters."

Seattle transit riders union rally video

Salt Lake City employees have #freetransit passes

Deseret News: ""All of the city employees have free transit passes, which is something we encourage other businesses to do," she said."

Transit Riders Union - WTF, Olympia? Rally this Saturday, July 27

Transit Riders Union: "“WTF, Olympia?” Rally this Saturday, July 27: Print a poster for your bus stop!
The rally will start at noon at City Hall Park, the grassy park on the south side of the King County Courthouse at 3rd and Yesler, 450 3rd Avenue."

The State Legislature failed to pass any local funding option for public transit, and now King County Metro is preparing to cut bus service by a whopping 17%.

65 bus routes are on the chopping block, and 86 more would see reduced service in 2014 –impacting 70% of riders in King County.

Join the Transit Riders Union and allies in letting Olympia know we won’t stand for these cuts! Together our combined voices will echo in the halls of power.

UTA is Sweatshops on Wheels: Happy 4th of July

Catmeow: "The Mobility Center does Evaluations of the Disabled and the Elderly to see if they Quality for Paratransit Taxpayer $$DOLLARS$$ would better spend on a Good Bus System to Help Reduce the need for Paratransit and also service more People.

Taxpayer are having too Pay 75% of Fares for Partransit for the Disabled and the Elderly.

Utah Transit Authority gives very Poor Customer Service to Individual that are Transit Dependent are defined as those who depend on Public Transportation for their for their Mobility and Personal Viability. UTA is Creating Bigger Government.

Utah Transit Authority has no real Plan Build a Real Good Bus System it is all about Trax and FrontRunner. The so Called $$TAX$$ Increase that UTA wants will be used to Help Fund Trax and FrontRunner.

The Corruption at Utah Transit Authority Continues. UTA Spend a Average of $260,000 a Year on Lobbyists."

Alaska getting hot. Very hot. 96°F 100 miles north of Anchorage.

Common Dreams: "“The same ridge of high pressure that cleared Alaska's skies also brought stifling temperatures to many areas accustomed to chilly June days. Talkeetna, a town about 100 miles north of Anchorage, saw temperatures reach 96°F on June 17. Other towns in southern Alaska set all-time record highs, including Cordova, Valez, and Seward. The high temperatures also helped fuel wildfires and hastened the breakup of sea ice in the Chukchi Sea.”"

Seattle Metro Transit Public Hearing

Slow Starvation

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 ~ Once again, Metro Transit has a revenue shortfall.

And once again, the proposed solution is to cut service, and further diminish pubic transit.

It's a vicious circle, or perhaps more accurately, a death spiral. As routes are cut or curtailed, the overall utility of the system suffers as well. As the system becomes less useful and timely, people use it less, and revenues from the fare box decrease.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

Conversely, increasing service and making transit more available, more accessible, and especially, more affordable, increases ridership. Public transit use has been increasing locally; we should be building on that, not thwarting it.

Metro Transit needs additional funding. Cost cutting is but a slogan, not a real, considered solution that would make a (positive) difference. Fully funding public transit increases use of the system, promoting urban vitality, reducing congestion and air pollution, and improving our quality of life. In fact, public transit should be free; the costs and benefits are very favorable compared to alternative public expenditures, particularly car infrastructure.

There is a public hearing tomorrow afternoon.

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Cross-posted to Chris B. Leyerle's blog

Story of Tallinn, Estonia #freetransit going viral

Estonia's capital gives residents a free ride - Las Vegas Sun News: "Savisaar has even dubbed the program the "13th monthly salary" since, he claims, families will be able to save a month's salary now that they can get around Tallinn for free."

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Catmeow Public Transit: Utah Transit overpricing mass transit

Catmeow Public Transit: Ingwell: Overpricing mass transit: "Utah Transit Authority Spend a Average of $260,000 a Year on Lobbyists.

Utah Transit Authority Pay $610,000 have UTA Board of Trustees too Travel the World and for Elected Officials too Travel the United States.

John Inglish Severance Package Total $364,406, John Inglish will receive a Lifetime $200,000 Pension.

Taxpayers having too Pay 75% of Fares for Paratransit for the Disabled and the Elderly.

The Mobility Center does Evaluations of the Disabled and the Elderly to see if they Quality for Paratransit Taxpayers $$DOLLARS$$ would be better Spend on a Good Bus System to Help Reduce the need for Paratransit and also Service more People.

Utah Transit Authority has Hurt Hundreds, Hundreds and Hundreds of People because of the Destruction of the Bus System. People have Lost there Jobs, also there are many Individuals that have Lost there Independence all because of the Destruction of the Bus System. What the Destruction of the Bus System has cause is more need for Food Stamps, Medicaid, People going to the Food Bank and more Homeless. Taking Buses out of Neighborhoods Increases Poverty and Crime.

Utah Transit Authority has a Very Inefficient Bus System 90% of Salt Lake County Residents will not be able to Leave their Vehicles at Home and take Public Transit to get the Airport Trax.
"

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Dubai property values ride on transport links | GulfNews.com

Dubai property values ride on transport links | GulfNews.com: "Properties located in central locations surrounded by neighbourhood amenities and well-connected with public transport remain most sought after.
The real estate mantra of “location” has never been more important. Traditionally, presence of good schools and neighbourhood amenities were the only crucial factors in selecting property. However, emerging research has indicated that availability of transportation options support sustainability of property values."

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Seattle #freetransit advocate speaks up

From traffic and taxes to tall trees, you've got the answers | Pacific NW | The Seattle Times: Eric Martenson of Kirkland had a similar idea, but his concept is for a ride-free bus zone that encompasses the entire King/Pierce/Snohomish County region. To finance it, Martenson would pool money private businesses now spend on bus passes with even more corporate, and some public, investment.
He uses the word "investment" seriously: Martenson's notion is that a hip community with free regional transit would be a national magnet for new industries and the best, brightest workers. It also would speed up commerce by unclogging freeways. The local economy would boom. Money saved on expanding road systems could be diverted, as well. And, yes, user fees for those still driving around aimlessly would go up to help fund the service. He would put the entire thing as a package deal to voters.

Student campaign against #fossil-fuel spreads to 256 campuses

The Case for Fossil-Fuel Divestment | Politics News | Rolling Stone: " Three colleges – Unity in Maine, Hampshire in Massachusetts and Sterling College in Vermont – purged their portfolios of fossil fuel stocks. Three days before Christmas, Seattle mayor Mike McGinn announced city funds would no longer be invested in fossil fuel companies, and asked the heads of the city's pension fund to follow his lead. Citing the rising sea levels that threatened city's neighborhoods, he said, "I believe that Seattle ought to discourage these companies from extracting that fossil fuel, and divesting the pension fund from these companies is one way we can do that.""

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Free transit to clean air? One Utah lawmaker proposes a trial | The Salt Lake Tribune

Free transit to clean air? One Utah lawmaker proposes a trial | The Salt Lake Tribune: "Everyone could ride Utah Transit Authority trains and buses free during January and July under a proposal unveiled Friday — although it is seen as a long-shot on Capitol Hill.
Rep. Joel Briscoe, D-Salt Lake City, asked the Infrastructure and General Government Appropriations Committee for $9 million to allow the experiment to see how free fares would increase ridership and help clean air pollution in two of the most troublesome months for clean air."

Utah free transit blog: Catmeow Public Transit

Bike investment pays handsomely -- now just imagine #freetransit investment

Why a statewide bike tax makes no sense | Seattle Bike Blog: "It is estimated that a mile cycled in Copenhagen results in a $.42 economic gain for the government. A mile driven costs the government $.20.

Closer to home, a study in the Journal of Physical Activity & Health found that Portland’s investments in cycling will save the city $388 to $594 million in health care costs by the year 2040. When you calculate the statistical value of lives saved (grim, I know, but it’s a science journal), the amount of money saved jumps into the billions."

Ambre Energy: Caveat Investor | Sightline Institute

Ambre Energy: Caveat Investor | Sightline Institute: "But the coal export debate has largely overlooked a  curious fact: Ambre Energy barely qualifies as a coal company. The company’s annual reports reveal that the Australian-based venture has never made a profit, and has virtually no successful track record in coal mining or coal exports, either in the US or abroad. Worse, an in-depth look at the company’s financial statements, as well as public records of other companies that have done business with Ambre, reveals a firm with deeply troubled finances, including:"

follow up:
http://daily.sightline.org/2013/02/15/ambres-shaky-finances-rebutting-the-response/

Asian #autosprawl growing, so coal to be shipped there - must-see video

The New Front Line in the Climate Change Battle | Occupy America: "Multi-billion dollar coal companies like Arch, Ambre, and Peabody want to ship the coal buried under the United States to Asia, releasing disastrous amounts of carbon pollution, just to line their own pockets. This expansion in US coal exports could release more carbon pollution than any other new fossil fuel project in the United States."

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Proposal may mean more oil-tanker traffic in Wash. | KING5.com Seattle

Proposal may mean more oil-tanker traffic in Wash. | KING5.com Seattle: "A project official, Michael Davies, says if the expansion is approved it would mean an increase in tankers in the waters of Washington and British Columbia. Most of the tanker traffic would travel through the Strait of Juan de Fuca, proceed between the San Juan and Gulf islands, and enter Vancouver Harbor."

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TransitZac -- excellent blog for #carfree travelers

Citylink #59 on Link Route at Riverstone
2008 ElDorado Aero Elite

TransitZac: "While I like to ski, I had other reasons to visit Coeur d’Alene, or CDA as many locals refer to it as. First and foremost, I wanted to check out the local transit system, called Citylink. I also planned to check out the downtown CDA and see the sights there, along with enjoying the tastes at a highly popular eatery in town."

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Catmeow Public Transit

Catmeow Public Transit: "Taxpayers need to start asking Questions?
1.  Why does UTA Spend a Average of $260,000 a Year on Lobbyists?

2. Why did UTA Pay $610,000 too Travel the World for UTA Board Members and for Elected Officials too Travel the United States?"

Read more...

Transportation Advocacy Day 2013: Let’s Make it Bigger Than Ever! | Bicycle Alliance of WashingtonBicycle Alliance of Washington

Transportation Advocacy Day 2013: Let’s Make it Bigger Than Ever! | Bicycle Alliance of WashingtonBicycle Alliance of Washington: "Last year’s record turnout of over two hundred dedicated advocates for biking, walking, transit, and rail provided a critical voice to help us advance an agenda that led to increased state funding for Safe Routes to Schools and more flexible design standards for cities and towns as they work to grow bicycling and make it safer."

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Car2Go comes to Seattle | Local News | The Seattle Times

Car2Go comes to Seattle | Local News | The Seattle Times: "Car2Go has come to Seattle, offering urban dwellers another alternative to purchasing their own cars. Participants easily can pick up a car and drop it off throughout many parts of the city."

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Road Subsidies

Who Pays to Maintain Our Roads?

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 ~ Washington, like many other states, imposes a fee on owners of automobiles when they relicense their cars. The amount of the fee varies. It can be a flat fee, or it can depend on such things as the weight of the vehicle, its value, or its age. As a usage fee, however, none of these well correspond to the actual cost of suffering that vehicle's wear and tear on roads, the purpose to which those fees are generally put. The fee for operating the car does not correspond to the actual expense to repair and maintain that infrastructure.