St. Louis Republican lobbies for #publictransit

missourinet : "The organization released a study in 2014 claiming investment in transit can yield 50,731 jobs per $1 billion invested, and offers a 4 to 1 economic return.  The St. Louis Metro Transit System was singled out by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) last year as a model for its bus maintenance program.
...
Nations says he’s not worried about GOP resistance to public transit funding.

“I know that people talk about Republicans and Democrats, but there are a lot of Republicans who favor public transportation as an economic development issue, which is in fact what it is” said Nations.  “Your transportation strategy, whether you move people in cars or on public transit, where’s the investment.”"

Colorado #autosprawl meltdown. Car support too much for budget.

KUNC: "“People are tired of gridlock,” said Marc Williams, the mayor of Arvada.

During his testimony he referred to himself as a staunch conservative and told lawmakers that cities are losing business because of clogged roads."

Car culture leaves disabled stranded

WBTV Charlotte: "CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) -
An elderly woman who needs a wheelchair wants a safer solution to get to her doctor appointments."

Atlanta -- 84% want to be closer to #publictransit

11alive.com: "According to the responses of those surveyed, 84-percent of metro-Atlanta say want to live closer to  public transit stations. That's a 31-percent increase over the number of people questioned 5 years ago."

Valley Metro expands free bus service

Valley Morning Star: "HARLINGEN — People on the Valley who depend on public transportation are receiving a bonus from now until August. Valley Metro is offering free fares for a six-month period, according to the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council.
The free fares will allow the council to analyze riders’ trends and discuss the potential of establishing routes in areas of greatest need.
The usage statistics will be analyzed to determine if free public transportation should be part of the Valley’s future, officials said."

Old, poor, sick, stranded in cartopia

Need a Ride? | Mass Transit: "Feb. 26--VALDOSTA -- Dick Bryant is 83 years old, lives in the small north Florida town of Live Oak, a few miles south of the Georgia state line, owns two cars that don't run and depends on public transportation to get to and from kidney dialysis.

"I'm on Social Security and I don't know if I could afford to pay for transportation," Bryant said. "I don't know what I would do. I don't even want to think about it.""

Plenty of jobs available -- fossil fuels are bullish

pipelineme: "ExxonMobil has announced that is in the midst of huge investment programme in the US that will see the US oil giant invest more than $20 billion over 10 years to build and expand downstream manufacturing facilities in the country's Gulf region."