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February 7, 2006
Final MDOT Capital Budget Increases MTA Funding The final version of the state's capital budget for transportation released this month significantly strengthens planned spending for Baltimore-area transit during the next six years. Of a $600 million increase in overall funding from the draft to the final budget, the majority went to MTA. The final FY 2006-2011 Consolidated Transportation Program budget contains $360 million in added funding for the MTA, compared to the draft that was previewed last fall by the Maryland Department of Transportation. Additonal funding in the final transportation spending plan includes an 87 percent increase in funding for MTA "system preservation" and a 92 percent increase in funding to replace aging buses. While the final budget, totaling $9.2 billion, reflects a one percent decline in overall planned capital spending on transportation between fiscal years 2006 and 2011, it increases capital funding for MTA by four percent. For a comparison of transit funding levels in the draft and final FY 2006-2011 budgets, click here.
Beginning Sunday, February 5, MTA adjusted the schedules of 12 bus lines to improve on-time performance and respond to rider comments resulting from Phase I of the regionwide bus restructuring initiative implemented last October. The schedule for the 40 line, a limited stop service introduced last fall, was adjusted to better reflect actual travel times. Frequencies on the 40 line were slightly decreased from 10 to 12 minutes in order to help pay for the longer running times. The route was also extended on the east side to Middle River from its original terminus in Essex. The 13 line was re-routed in East Baltimore back to Wolfe and Washington streets where it ran before the changes. To see a list of major changes implemented February 5, click here.
As They Expand Transit Agencies Innovate to Control Costs In an environment of volatile construction costs and highly competitive federal funding, transit agencies are developing new processes to deliver projects on budget and reduce operating costs. As reported by the American Public Transportation Association, agencies from Minnesota and Michigan to Arizona and Colorado are combating rising prices for concrete, steel, and insurance by fine tuning their project management strategies. In Denver, the Regional Transit District is moving towards the November 2006 opening of a 19-mile extension to its light rail system. Costs are being managed using a "design-build" contracting method that streamlines the process and reduces the need for duplicative management. The project is also part of a major highway expansion, and joint project management has led to a cooperative management structure that reduces conflicts over which project should bear the cost of items such as bridge replacement. In Grand Rapids, Michigan and Tempe, Arizona new facilities are being built with "green" design features such as vegetated roofs, wash water reclamation, and use of recycled building materials. These features are projected to reduce operating costs over the life of the facility.
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