July 29 2005 

Workshop on Integrating Rapid Transit with Existing Communities Coming August 1

Join BTA and the Market Center Merchants Association for what promises to be a fascinating discussion about state-of-the-art practices for integrating transit with existing communities. The workshop will be held Monday, August 1 at the University of Maryland's Health Sciences Library from 5:30 to 7 PM. The event will feature speakers representing recent transit projects that overcame community concerns to successfully promote mobility and economic development. There is no charge to attend but register by sending an email to henryk@gbc.org. Click here for more information.

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Responding to Public Input, MTA to Phase Implementation of Bus Restructuring Plan

Responding to public concern about the details of his ambitious bus restructuring proposal, Maryland Transportation Secretary Robert Flanagan announced this week that a revised plan would be phased in over the coming year. The least controversial changes will proceed as planned this October, while the majority of concepts will be refined and considered for implementation next year. MTA's labor contracts only allow major service changes to be made three times per year, so the next changes could not happen before January 2006. For changes to be implemented in October, click here. BTA's position on the plan is available by clicking here.

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BTA and MDOT Officials Explore Boston's Silver Line BRT Project

Boston's Silver Line was the subject of a fact finding mission organized by BTA. The Silver Line is the nation's newest experiment in "Bus Rapid Transit" where rapid, reliable transit is provided by a fleet of buses rather than trains. GBC President Donald C. Fry and BTA Director Henry Kay accompanied Maryland Transportation Secretary Robert Flanagan to Boston on July 15 for a day-long visit to see the Silver Line in operation. Joining Fry, Flanagan, and Kay on the trip were MTA Administrator Lisa Dickerson, Baltimore Urban League President J. Howard Henderson, and Baltimore Community Foundation President Tom Wilcox. The Silver Line includes a two-mile segment where buses run in lanes shared with traffic and a four and one-half mile segment that includes a new tunnel and underground stations dedicated to buses. Staff from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority explained that BRT was the logical choice for the Silver Line, winning out over light rail based on its ability to navigate downtown streets to connect directly with the existing rail network. BRT is under consideration for Baltimore's east-west Red Line along with light rail.

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MTA Converts Hamburg Street Light Rail Station to Full Time Operation

In response to community pressure, on July 1 Governor Ehrlich announced that the Hamburg Street Light Rail Station would be open during all Light Rail operating hours. Since it was constructed in 1998 to provide access to the adjacent Ravens Stadium, the station has only been open for stadium events. Communities adjacent to the station, particularly Sharp-Leadenhall and Federal Hill, had long requested that the station be open full time, but this was not possible due to the single track configuration in the area. A second track in this area was included in the on-going $154 million Light Rail Double Track Project, and it was opened in December 2004.

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Appropriations Process to Determine Future of Amtrak

Through the summer appropriations process Congress has been responding to the Bush administration's proposal to provide no funding for Amtrak in the coming federal fiscal year. Amtrak has said it needs $1.8 billion in Fiscal Year 2006 to operate, meets its debt obligations, and continue repairs to the Northeast Corridor from Washington to Boston. A House of Representatives subcommittee recommended $550 million, but this was increased to $1.2 billion by the full House. A Senate committee responded by approving $1.4 billion, triggering a threat from U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Minetta that he would recommend the White House veto the entire appropriations bill. The Senate committee reacted by increasing the amount to $1.45 billion. The full Senate is not expected to take this matter up until fall, and it will then be sent to a conference committee.

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