– MEC Great Rides: ride the Bikennale on Sun Oct 4th

The Buzzer Blog

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MEC, TransLink and the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition have teamed up to offer some Great Rides this summer—four fun bike tours that let you explore the festivals, city centres, and lovely country lanes of Metro Vancouver.

The last ride is this Sunday, and takes you on a tour of the sculptures installed for the Vancouver Biennale, a 21-month-long celebration and exhibition featuring some of the world’s most prominent sculptors.

You’ll get to see the sculptures in many Vancouver neighbourhoods: the full route runs through Vanier Park, Gastown, the West End, along the Seawall, and to Van Dusen Gardens.

– Alerts – August 19.09

Report critical of BART officers prior to shooting Contra Costa Times … the New Year’s Day shooting of an unarmed man by a transit officer is critical of how Bay Area Rapid Transit officers responded before the shooting. … See all stories on this topic

Vision-Impaired Transit Riders Lose ADA Claims Courthouse News Service By ANNIE YOUDERIAN (CN) – The 9th Circuit dismissed the claim that the Bay Area Rapid Transit violated disability law by not making its steps and handrails … See all stories on this topic

Perry says Hutchison should release tax returns Dallas Morning News … to some of his clients because they are his clients — specifically, the Trinity River project in Dallas, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, and Houston Metro. … See all stories on this topic

Public transportation stalled by US recession-study Interactive Investor Several of the largest transit agencies are facing projected deficits, with the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority topping the list with a deficit … See all stories on this topic

Speed up bus rapid transit system project: Reddy to state govt Expressindia.com Mumbai Union Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy has asked the state government to expedite the bus rapid transit system (BRTS) project. … See all stories on this topic

DART to update train schedules on August 31 in preparation for … Pegasus News By Pegasus News wire DALLAS — With the opening of the eagerly anticipated Green Line less than a month away, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) continues … See all stories on this topic

– Alerts- August 18.09

Local transit groups ask Granholm for assistance The Detroit News Lansing — A trio of local transit groups is calling on Gov. Jennifer Granholm to come up with a source of increased funding for public transportation and … See all stories on this topic

Mass transit development will be slow Examiner.com Regional transportation planners and thinkers discussed new high-speed rail systems and other transit options to connect northern Colorado cities. … See all stories on this topic

The Lincoln Journal WVU’s Personal Rapid Transit up and running again after summer … The Lincoln Journal MORGANTOWN – The West Virginia University Personal Rapid Transit system, better known as the PRT, is back on the tracks and running smoothly today after a … See all stories on this topic

Hearings this week on proposed cuts at Ben Franklin Transit TheNewsTribune.com Tom Polson says he can’t figure out the recent transit service changes that have resulted in route cuts, re-duced services and, in some cases, higher fares. … See all stories on this topic

Hot-shot law firm Proskauer Rose quits MTA, says agency bigs too … New York Daily News Proskauer Rose was concerned transit officials weren’t being candid about their dealings with the union, and the law firm feared it couldn’t adequately … See all stories on this topic

BART strike averted, tentative deal reached San Francisco Chronicle (08-17) 12:04 PDT Oakland — The BART contract dispute was resolved Sunday evening, averting a threatened transit strike that would have crippled this … See all stories on this topic

Whitman County exploring transit authority Moscow-Pullman Daily News Whitman County is exploring setting up a transit authority district that would enable the county to partner with the Council on Aging and Human Services to … See all stories on this topic

Mass. giving transit data to software developers The Associated Press A restaurant owner, for example, could easily add official government data about the location and details of transit stops or bus schedules into a Web site … See all stories on this topic

Bygone Era of Public Transit Comes Alive at Trolley Museum MPBN News Electric trolleys as a form of public transit in Maine have a limited history that began in 1887 and ended by the early 1940’s. But there is a place where … See all stories on this topic

Mass. giving transit data to software developers Boston Herald The MBTA becomes the third-largest transit agency in the country to make such data public in a format converted to the industry-standard Google Transit Feed … See all stories on this topic

– Alerts for August 17.09

Canada Line a good start; now let’s fix everything else Vancouver Sun Thousands of people wait in line in downtown Vancouver to try out the Canada Line train that officially opened Aug. 17, 2009. … See all stories on this topic Canada Line opening day draws the curious crowds Georgia Straight By Matthew Burrows Today (August 17), Straight reporter Matthew Burrows rode the Canada Line on opening day. Here are some of his observations at various … See all stories on this topic Thousands flock to Canada Line for opening day BCLocalNews By Matthew Hoekstra – Richmond Review Thousands of people waited under the hot sun at Canada Line stations Monday afternoon to be among the first passengers … See all stories on this topic Video & photos: Canada Line’s opening day crush Georgia Straight In one of his half-hourly e-mail updates, TransLink spokesperson Drew Snider noted at 4:02 pm this afternoon that the Canada Line was awaiting a rush hour … See all stories on this topic BC Premier defends HST move Globe and Mail Questions about the HST followed the Premier to the official opening of the Canada Line linking Vancouver and Richmond, and Mr. Campbell spent a scrum with … See all stories on this topic AFP Cocaine traces found in 90 percent of greenbacks AFP Second in line was the US northern neighbor Canada, where 85 percent of 27 banknotes studied showed drug traces, ranging from 2.4 micrograms to over 2530 … See all stories on this topic Nike Canada joins Vancouver Games lineup The Associated Press Without them, the committee is facing a $27 million hole in its budget, creating major pressure on its $1.6 billion bottom line. … See all stories on this topic The long and troubled road to the Canada Line CTV British Columbia The original proposal for the line was to bore a tunnel under Cambie Street, which would have had minimal impact on merchants. However, the plan was dropped … See all stories on this topic First Canada Line train pulls out The Province The first $2-billion Canada Line train left the station at Vancouver International Airport, packed with VIPs and media. “Welcome to planes, trains and 2010 … See all stories on this topic Vancouver C$2 billion transit line opens early Reuters Commuters will be able to ride free of charge for the day on the 19-km (12-mile) Canada Line between Vancouver’s downtown, its international airport and the … See all stories on this topic San Francisco Area Transit Averts Strike, Reaches Union Deal Bloomberg 17 (Bloomberg) — San Francisco’s Bay Area Rapid Transit reached a tentative agreement with a union representing rail workers yesterday, averting a strike … See all stories on this topic

City of Jo’burg comes out in support of BRT Primedia Broadcasting – Eyewitness News The City of Johannesburg has again reiterated its commitment to launching the Bus Rapid Transit system at the end of the month adding its doors are still … See all stories on this topic

What Jozi motorists need to know about BRT Independent Online By Aki Anastasiou The Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system is set to begin operating in Joburg at the end of the month. Barriers have been erected to … See all stories on this topic

WBOY-TV WVU PRT to Reopen WBOY-TV West Virginia University’s Personal Rapid Transit is scheduled to reopen Monday after being closed all Summer. MORGANTOWN — Since May 11th, West Virginia … See all stories on this topic

San Francisco Area-Transit Authority, Union Negotiate Bloomberg 16 (Bloomberg) — San Francisco Bay-area commuter rail workers and their employer, Bay Area Rapid Transit, resumed contract talks today aimed at averting a … See all stories on this topic

Rapid line will work for jobs and people The Province But he believes more rapid transit was required for the Vancouver area. “You simply cannot operate large, large cities with antiquated models of … See all stories on this topic

Soweto residents welcome the launch of BRT buses BuaNews Online (press release) By Gabi Khumalo Johannesburg – Soweto residents have welcomed the launch of the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System buses. Thrilled Soweto residents had … See all stories on this topic

Soweto residents get the Rea Vaya experience Primedia Broadcasting – Eyewitness News Gauteng Community Safety MEC Khabisi Mosunkutu unveiled the new Bus Rapid Transit fleet. Mosonkutu expressed his excitement about the launch of the BRT and … See all stories on this topic

BRT busses unveiled Primedia Broadcasting – Eyewitness News The unveiling of the busses is taking place two weeks before the first phase of the controversial Bus Rapid Transit system is launch. … See all stories on this topic

San Francisco rail, union to resume negotiations The Associated Press Officials from Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555 and Bay Area Rapid Transit talked into the night Saturday, but there was no word on whether much … See all stories on this topic

– Alerts – August 16.09

Editorial: Transit’s time Gainesville Sun In anticipation of the beginning of the new academic year, Gainesville Regional Transit this week announced several route improvements; increasing frequency … See all stories on this topic

Tropical warning…Inaccessible firefighting…Transit talks … Reiten Television KXMB Bismarck AP MIAMI (AP) A tropical storm warning is up for parts of Florida as a newly formed depression swirls about 90 miles off the coast. … See all stories on this topic

Manteca Transit service south of 120 Bypass before council Manteca Bulletin By Dennis Wyatt It is costing $400 to provide a 30-day trial that is allowing Manteca Transit service to southwest Airport Way neighborhoods that do not … See all stories on this topic

Washington Post Dr. G’s Tips on Lane Closings, Traffic and Mass Transit Washington Post Drivers will see a major change this week at the Capital Beltway junction with Chain Bridge Road (Route 123) in Tysons Corner. Exit 46B from the outer loop … See all stories on this topic

Transit Key To Revival Hartford Courant These depressing rankings all relate to Connecticut’s last half-century of promoting highways and suburban sprawl at the expense of the state’s transit … See all stories on this topic

BART strike would suspend Hercules parking program San Jose Mercury News By Tom Lochner HERCULES — The permit parking program at the new Hercules Transit Center will be suspended in the event of a BART strike, Hercules officials … See all stories on this topic

Revenue report tells BART’s tale San Francisco Chronicle We can only hope that members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555 have come to their senses by the time this column appears. … See all stories on this topic

BART union and management negotiators back at the deadline … San Jose Mercury News After members of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555 rejected a proposed contract last week, BART’s board of directors imposed a contract on the union, … See all stories on this topic

BART talks to resume today San Francisco Chronicle BART officials and the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555 plan to go back to the bargaining table today at 1 pm, officials said. … See all stories on this topic

Seeking a transit system we can afford Vancouver Sun By Harvey Enchin, Vancouver SunAugust 15, 2009 9:40 AM Public transit wil have to be fast, reliable, comfortable and affordable in order to attract more … See all stories on this topic

– Alerts – August 15.09

Bus Rapid Transit under the spot light Primedia Broadcasting – Eyewitness News … are expected to attend the Public Transport Summit, on Saturday morning, where the controversial Bus Rapid Transit system will come under the spotlight. … See all stories on this topic

Utah County moving forward with bus rapid transit Deseret News By James Davis PROVO — Little by little, plans for a bus rapid transit line between Orem and Provo are getting closer to reality. … See all stories on this topic

Boston Globe On the slow train to financial reality Boston Globe A Green Line expansion would top a sensible list of major improvements, not least because it extends rapid transit through underserved but densely populated … See all stories on this topic

Rapid transit returns to Richmond BCLocalNews Commuter rail cars transported people between downtown Vancouver and Steveston in 45 minutes, giving Richmond its first form of rapid transit and spurring a … See all stories on this topic

BART criticizes union leaders as strike looms San Francisco Chronicle The leaders of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555 had reached a tentative deal with Bay Area Rapid Transit, but members then rejected it. … See all stories on this topic

MARTA to get $55 million in stimulus funds Atlanta Journal Constitution By AP The US Department of Transportation says the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority will receive $55.4 million in federal stimulus funds. … See all stories on this topic

MARTA to get stimulus grant, buy buses WALB-TV AP – August 14, 2009 4:04 AM ET ATLANTA (AP) – The US Department of Transportation says the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority will receive $55.4 … See all stories on this topic

– Alerts – August 15.09

We want a transit system we can afford Vancouver Sun By Harvey Enchin, Vancouver sunaugust 15, 2009 2:08 AM It’s not hard to make a case for an efficient public transit system. It makes cities more livable by … See all stories on this topic Police beef up mass-transit patrols Arizona Republic by Sean Holstege – Aug. 15, 2009 12:00 AM The Phoenix Police Department will assign a dozen extra officers next week to patrol near rail stations and bus … See all stories on this topic MTA may fight panel’s hefty pay hikes for transit workers New York Daily News By Pete Donohue The MTA is considering challenging an arbitration panel’s decision to grant transit workers generous wage hikes, officials said Friday. … See all stories on this topic Transit officials urge commuters to find alternatives Contra Costa Times By Sarah Rohrs/Times-Herald staff writer With a BART strike looming, Vallejo Transit and other Solano transportation agencies are encouraging commuters to … See all stories on this topic NJ Transit gets more stimulus funding Philadelphia Inquirer NJ Transit received another installment of its $424 million in federal stimulus funding yesterday from US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. … See all stories on this topic Labor leaders meet – no progress on BART strike San Francisco Chronicle State and Bay Area labor leaders met behind closed doors Friday with BART transit union officials to try to avert a Monday morning strike. … See all stories on this topic Ridership down on La Mirada Transit, prompts new shopping service Whittier Daily News But a recent city analysis on La Mirada Transit – one year after it switched operators from Norwalk Transit to MV Transportation – revealed its passenger … See all stories on this topic BART Train Operators Back Monday Strike Wall Street Journal The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555, which represents about 900 train operators and station agents for the Bay Area Rapid Transit System, … See all stories on this topic NJ getting nearly $300 million for transit Philadelphia Inquirer Federal Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced Friday that the state will get money for 13 transit projects, including $110 million for design and … See all stories on this topic Va. man pleads guilty to charge from blog posting San Jose Mercury News A Roanoke man has pleaded guilty to charges he threatened a San Francisco area transit policeman in an online posting. US Attorney Julia Dudley said … See all stories on this topic BART talks suspended, will resume Sunday San Francisco Chronicle (08-15) 20:46 PDT OAKLAND — Bay Area Rapid Transit union officials and BART managers suspended their talks this evening – with plans to continue … See all stories on this topic

$2-billion Canada Line ready to roll ahead of schedule Vancouver Sun The new rapid transit line — touted as equivalent to a 10-lane freeway — is expected to take 200000 one-way automobile trips off the road system each day … See all stories on this topic

RVTD examines rapid transit system Mail Tribune By hannah guzik ASHLAND — The Rogue Valley’s first rapid transit system could be a high-speed bus line running near the railroad tracks that already connect … See all stories on this topic

Traffic chaos in CBD and no cops in sight Independent Online … CBD were gridlocked during peak-hour traffic on Friday as the first day’s testing of the dedicated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system lanes took place. … See all stories on this topic