MTA, citing huge drop in riders, seeks $4 billion virus bailout
New York City’s public transportation system, the largest in North America, is seeking a $4 billion federal bailout as the coronavirus pandemic has triggered an extraordinary free fall in ridership and left transit officials facing what is likely to be the worst economic crisis in decades. The MTA, which runs the subway, buses and two commuter rails — said ridership had plunged 60 percent on the subway and 49 percent on buses. [nytimes.com]
Twice-daily Amtrak service across Missouri gets bipartisan support in House Budget Committee
A bipartisan group of lawmakers on the Missouri House Budget Committee has teamed up to prevent a budget proposal that would reduce in-state Amtrak River Runner train service to a single round-trip per day. The Budget Committee has voted 19-16 to approve an amendment, which is aimed at preserving twice-daily service from St. Louis to Kansas City. [missourinet.com]
Michigan links trains and bikes
Michigan is encouraging bicyclists to become public transit users with new ways to store bikes on trains and by creating intersections of routes for both modes of transportation. Designated Amtrak trains will feature a limited number of advance-reserved bicycle storage spaces. Bike reservations will be accepted for travel along Amtrak’s Chicago-Grand Rapids, Chicago-Lansing-Port Huron, and Chicago-Detroit-Pontiac routes. [greatlakesecho.org]
DART OKs GoPass app for Oklahoma transit agency
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) has announced that it will extend operations of its GoPass® mobile app to the Metropolitan Tulsa Transit Authority (MTTA). MTTA can expect to launch the app — which provides bus riders with real-time travel information, mobile ticketing and on-demand services — this summer, according to DART officials. [progressiverailroading.com]
