Back in February, the federal government passed a law that provided billions of dollars for transportation projects to help stimulate the economy. Now with the first 120 days underway, Smart Growth America, a nationwide coalition, published a report exposing how the country is spending its stimulus money.
So, where is all the money going? Well, a good chunk of the money is going towards highway repairs (62.9%) and building new roads (31%), while only a small portion appears to be going towards areas like public transit (6%) and non-motorized projects (2.8%).
To read more about the report, or see how your state is spending its money, check out the Smart Growth America blog, or this article posted by Reuters.
On Thursday, June 25 from 5-8 a.m. on Key 103 FM in Frederick, Maryland, VPSI’s Jesse Kafka will participate in the Hometown Morning Show with Dave and Rona. Also partnering in the “Dump the Pump”-themed live event broadcasting from the Monocacy Rail Station will be representatives from TransIT of Frederick County, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and the Maryland Transit Administration. If you’re a local commuter, please stop by for some complimentary coffee and bagels! To listen live online, please visit www.key103radio.com.
Monday, we put up a poll asking our readers what they thought the safest mode of transportation is and today we have the results! More than 50% of you chose correctly with……drum roll, please….vanpooling being the safest method of public transportation according to the 2006 Transit Safety and Security Statistics and Analysis Annual Report.
I applaud your efforts to raise public awareness about the myriad of benefits traditional fixed-route transit offers the Richmond region, which I recently read about in an article from Richmond BizSense. As the nation’s largest vanpool services provider, VPSI has been a champion of sustainable transportation solutions for over three decades and has offered our commuter services in Richmond since 1988. With 68 vanpools originating from or destined to the Metro Richmond area every working day, hundreds of commuters are already doing their part to save fuel, reduce traffic congestion and eliminate harmful auto emissions from our air. I would encourage your group to include vanpooling, an exceptionally flexible, cost-effective and efficient form of transit, amongst the strategies the Leadership Metro Richmond group advocates.
Starting in the third quarter of 2009, the BOP will increase the tax-free transit subsidy to $230 per month for all corrections workers commuting to and from work. But in order to receive the increase, program participants will have to submit a new DOJ Application for Transit Subsidy form by May 5, 2009 to receive an increased benefit beginning in the third quarter of 2009.
If you’re a BOP commuter, be sure to submit the form before May 5th. And if you happen to know any BOP employees, please let them know about this important update.
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