July 23, 2013

US Senate Democrats are talking about allocating $108 billion for community development, transit programs and housing for the poor as they prepare to bring the first of the 2014 fiscal year appropriations bills to the floor this week.  Read more.

State News

Governor Andrew Cuomo has designated 102 severely damaged communities as New York Rising Communities, where comprehensive and innovative rebuilding plans will be developed by regional committees of community leaders, experts and officials.  The communities will be eligible to share in more than $500 million in funding made available through federal supplemental appropriations.  Read more here.

Member News

The MTA will be selling $125 million in “catastrophe” bonds designed to cover the cost of damage from a future storm or hurricane. The MTA bond will be issued by First Mutual Transportation Assurance Co, a so-called captive insurer, or insurance company that the MTA set up to sell similar financial instruments to specialist investors.  Read more here.

CDTA just posted a new video to its website and to YouTube that demonstrates ways to ensure a safer travel experience on their buses. Narrated by former Fox23 anchor Ann Hughes, the video also offers tips on passenger courtesy and instructions for garnering medical or police aide.  View the video here.

Long Island Rail Road will be cancelling five rush-hour trains through mid-August to begin work at the Harold Interlocking switching complex in Queens.  Part of the East Side Access improvement project, the work will install concrete slabs that will allow a bypass to be built under one the busiest train intersections in North America.  Read more here.

In News Elsewhere

Tesla Motors is proposing a “hyperloop” transit system that say will be impossible to crash, available on demand and, perhaps, even solar powered.  They’re planning to publish the new design in mid-August to gain input.  Read more here.