Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC)’s Post

Progress report for the East King County Link expansion

Happy Friday Transportation Advocates: we've got a few more opportunities to make your voice heard for better transportation in our region! UPWP 2024-2025 Public Input The Genesee Transportation Council Municipal Planning Organization (GTC) has opened their public input period for the Unified Planning Work Program 2024-2025 (UPWP).  Genesee Transportation Council https://lnkd.in/ezdDpCmb This is a great way to learn about the upcoming planning projects that our region will be taking on in the next year, and to provide critical comments and support on projects we want to see. Some examples that Reconnect has presented previously include: Light Rail or Streetcar Feasibility Study, Bus Rapid Transit, and an East/West Trail Counterpart to the Genesee Riverway Trail. Deadline to provide input is February 14th! NYSDOT Active Transportation Plan Survey The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) is embarking on the creation of the statewide Active Transportation Plan. Click here to provide your input by taking their survey! https://lnkd.in/eUrAZWQw NYS Department of Transportation League of American Bicyclists Federal Transportation Asks The League of American Bicyclists (LAB) is asking for your ideas as they determine their next big asks for Federal Transportation. They want to hear what you are seeing in your community and what you think would help increase interest and support for better bicycling and walking. Survey for Citizen Advocates- This version is for citizen advocates who want better biking in their communities, but maybe don't know the specific federal program. https://lnkd.in/etNYPiTQ As always, thank you all for taking the time to speak up and support better mobility in our region! #actionalert #transportation Reconnect Rochester, Inc

03 July 2024 Press Release BRTA is concerned that the track-record of previous governments over decades has left the existing rail network depleted, rationalised and run-down and poured £billions into new roads and upgrading roads (A27/A24) which attracts increasing volumes of traffic, makes for more rat-runs across country to join other queues, increasing pressure on land use allocation for endless parking spaces, when we need environmentally and socially to make using public transport (especially more rail journeys) more amenable, affordable and accessible. Key Rail Projects we want support for: 1.     Guildford-Cranleigh-Horsham, the Arundel Curve and a Phase 2 look at the direct line to Shoreham from Horsham with linking bridges and curves included in modern designs. 2.     Polegate-Stone Cross direct line reinstatement/realigned new build to shave 20 minutes end-to-end Brighton-Ashford transits by trains giving more capacity for Eastbourne specific services and challenging the appeal of endless road use. 3.     A new curve from the Tonbridge line towards Gatwick which could link to a host of existing services more than having to change at Redhill all the time. 4.     A study to look at linking Tonbridge with the Guildford Line direct at Redhill and 5.     Electrification of the North Downs Line to enable semi-fast Thameslink services into Guildford and possible Reading as they do likewise to access Horsham. BRTA believes these projects need a switch from £27 billion new roads fund to pep up the Rail Reopening Fund which was pitted at a mere £500 million for all Great Britain, which is, given a need to cut emissions and congestion, a meagre and unequal recognition of what rail can offer. 6.     A rail link corridor from Tonbridge-Brighton via Eridge, Uckfield and the Lewes area. End of Press Release Further Comment: Richard Pill, BRTA CEO 07752 096392 e. richard.erta@gmail.com #rail #press #media #railways #transport #networkrail #dft #environment #landuse #traffic #management #shoreham #horsham #guildford #brighton #ashford

Welcome confirmation from #TfL of funding for boroughs to deliver #transport improvements next year, though the introduction of new "discretionary" (read: competitive) funding pots might raise eyebrows given the general mood music against these coming out of our new national government. It will be disappointing to many town halls that the levels of cash allocated via the efficient formula system remains seemingly unchanged at around half what it was pre-pandemic. The importance of this funding in providing baseline capacity during a time of hugely stretched local authority finances more generally can't be overstated. The £30m #bus partnership funding for three lucky boroughs sounds like the idea of "mini-bogatas" that I've suggested before - a public transport version of the #miniholland programme. This will hopefully be a way of testing some innovative new ways of growing bus modal share, essential for that 2030 #netzero goal (see link in comments to more on this from me). Whilst mini-holland took a lot of effort to bid for, TfL were generally pretty effective at ensuring that even unsuccessful boroughs got some funding to support the visions put forward in their bids. Hopefully something similar will happen here. For the #visionzero award, a chunky £50m, I hope it will be about developing longer term pipelines of casualty reduction projects across London in partnership with town halls, rather than a straight competition between boroughs on an issue we badly need more collaboration around, not less. #transportplanning #activetravel #london #roadsafety

It’s official! The Major Projects Canberra team is wrapped to have commenced development of the concept design and Environmental Impact Statement process to progress the Light Rail Stage 2B project in Canberra. Arguably one of the most complex projects in Canberra’s history, consideration by both Commonwealth and Territory governments is needed for a series of environmental and planning approvals, including approval by both Houses of Parliament for the alignment proposed as it passes by Parliament House on State Circle. Although the ACT Government’s preferred route is the more direct alignment around State Circle,  we are also investigating the option of alternative stops in the National Triangle in Parkes and Barton to ensure flexibility in the planning process. A key benefit to Stage 2B is planning for a more sustainable public transport choice needed for the future, designed to connect Canberra’s north and south via the city. We will soon be conducting community engagement in support of the EIS and project development. Looking forward to getting out there! #canberralightrail #infrastructure #transportchoice #publictransport https://lnkd.in/gE-hnPdA

Please support and write in favour of this local rail reopening:  https://lnkd.in/gwCWs4MM It would make the existing remnant rail network more relevant and boost patronage all year round, sustaining local businesses and informing widespread regeneration.  The railway, even if 10 years, is a worthwhile project and can be modernised to inform end-to-end fast transit times and challenge the pro-road building lobby which informs endless demand for parking guzzling land which is needed for other things. If we take the Borders Line reopening, it was very much a cynical reception but devolution and campaigning resulted in the go-ahead and it has carried millions to a largely rural landscape and demand for full rebuild to Carlisle exists but the British Westminster Government has dithered despite the resounding support and exceeding usage data. You have to make a start, Oxford-Cambridge direct rail has taken 35 years campaigning, so 10 years is a drop in the ocean by comparison! Start now and take it seriously. https://lnkd.in/ety4Q4Sr Regeneration of West Wales and South West Wales in particular likely, more freight by rail as well. Jobs, sustaining hotels for families to revisit these locations rather than just walkers and single groupy camping styles. Wales needs diversity and all round year-on-year sustained vistorship. Please give this project your support. #rail #wales #transport #modalchoice #planning #cost #environment #infrastructure #dft #networkrail

Credit and thanks to Montana's Yellowstone Country: Before the holidays, we got word that the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority (BSPRA) was accepted into the federal Corridor ID Program. This is the first step toward reinstating passenger rail from Chicago to Seattle. Congress accepted 69 routes into the program; this is the only long-distance route to be approved. In addition to the economic benefit, the rail service would provide a safe, affordable, comfortable and all-weather transportation option, improving the quality of life for Montanans living in rural areas. Passenger rail makes accessing health care and veteran services easier and connects rural and tribal communities to our more populated areas. Big Sky Passenger Rail Vice-Chair Jason Stuart talked about the need to reinvest in rail structure in our country in general. He notes that one freight train can move as many goods as 300 18-wheelers, which I found to be staggering. Not only is rail service more efficient, but it’s better for our environment. The new scope of work will take 6-8 months to create and will address conflicts with other train traffic and plans for the train depots. It’s exciting to see all the hard work BSPRA has done pay off. We cannot pass up this opportunity to say, “The train is leaving the station!” https://ow.ly/VAGt50Qoqor

Well let's have a bit of a catch up For this year so far As we all know Oliver Coppard asked for some funds to be released to help reinstate the equipment and infrastructure at DSA These funds were set aside for a rail link into DSA While ever we don't have an agreement in place a lease etc These funds could go to waste Department for Transport have said no Simple as there's no misinformation here Oliver aske Mark Harper Has said no !! Mark Harper has pointed Oliver in the direction of using Gainshare Funding If we look back to last year an outline business case was drawn up by CDC and Gainshare funds were already suggested and had been applied for This was announced by Ros Jones and Doncaster Council on the 16th of November https://lnkd.in/eVEG3Wy4 So the application for the 30 million was another option for funding that could have been made available for DSA It seemed to make sense especially as Oliver Coppard stated they would fund the train link at a later date When it was needed from other funding streams. We had a messy political situation with Mayor Coppard and our MP N Fletcher not agreeing with each other and they have had a tit for tat exchange of views recently Let's hope that's the last of these political issues All involved need to work together now to get this last leg sorted We are so close to an agreed lease with City of Doncaster Council and Peel for the airport The Procurement process is in the last stage And this dysfunctional and divisive relationship needs to stop !!! Politics has no place in this situation I've said this for ages We need Cross Party Support to Cross the finish line and get Our Airport reopened We have been told that this spring could /will have an operator identified by the on going Procurement process Read that as April !! The lease agreement with Peel is very close to completion This was Confirmed by Doncaster Chamber of commerce on BBC Sheffield last week The lease needs to be agreed before an operator can be announced Any prospective operator will need sight of the lease agreement to enable them to put business plans and funding in place as part of their bid to become operator Now as a group we need to support all these thing that are happening We need to suppress any political arguing or motives And just concentrate on reopening DSA So lets keep calm Ignore all the NaySayers Scroll past all the negativity And aim for the finish line !! As a group we could actually have been instrumental in getting our airport reopened the Benefits to the local Economy and job prospects are amazing lets ust stay focused on the groups aim to #saveDSA We need to reinforce that We Made The Right Decision To Save Our Airport And Use DSA Doncaster Chamber Sheffield Chamber of Commerce Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce Daniel Fell Peter Kennan Business Doncaster #saveDSA #itsnotover ✈️ ✈️ ✈️ ✈️

Valley Transportation Authority Policy Advisory Committee- California shifted from focusing on vehicular congestion level of service LOS to the total amount of driving called vehicle miles traveled VMT for transportation analysis under CEQA. The use of VMT for CEQA analysis of land use projects has been used since July 2020. Since the Equitable Vehicle Miles Traveled Mitigation Program grant project commenced in May 2023, VTA has been working closely with its consultant team and project partner to document existing needs, VMT mitigation practices, coordinate with local jurisdiction staff, and recently hosted a spanish speaking community meeting with Nueva Vida Community where they had over 80 attendees. #HiltonForCouncil #Gilroy #HiltonForGilroy #GilroyBPAC #DowntownGilroy #GilMtg The goal of the Equitable Vehicle Miles Traveled Mitigation Program grant project is to develop the framework for an equitable program to reduce the amount of driving from land use developments in Santa Clara County, that works across jurisdictional lines and improves travel options. The project is focusing on equity in both the process (study and engagement events) and the outcome (a program framework that supports VMT reduction investments that equity priority communities identified as most beneficial). The program grant project aligns with VTA’s business line of delivering projects and programs by developing the framework for a program that facilitates the funding and implementation of VMT-reducing strategies such as active transportation improvements, transit signal priority efforts, or Transportation Demand Management measures. Over the past several years, VTA staff has been taking a leadership role in helping provide resources and technical assistance to its Member Agencies on the implementation of VMT, and Member Agencies have been coordinating with VTA and working on their own implementation of VMT. https://lnkd.in/gUJf-yCh

There are incremental ways to invest in the environment as well as downtown revitalization.