Government

Transit officials worry about federal funding change

By |

By SAODAT ASANOVA-TAYLOR
Capital News Service
LANSING – County transportation authorities are criticizing a federal bill they say could hurt state mass transit funding by putting it on year-to-year life cycle. They have called on U.S Rep. Dave Camp, R-Midland, to send the plan back to the drawing board. The bill would withdraw fuel tax revenue for the mass transit fund from the Federal Highway Trust Fund and allow the money to be used for general transportation purposes on an annual rather than five-year cycle. According to Camp’s office, it would provide the same funding sources for mass transit, and the change means that the account could earn more interest than now. However, as written, critics say the federal bill does not clarify whether change would generate the amount of money.

Business & Economy

Small towns could lose control of state road funding

By |

Attention editors: List of Michigan cities that could lose control of this road funding is at end of story. By SAM INGLOT
Capital News Service
LANSING–More than 100 small Michigan communities may lose control of state road funds if Gov. Rick Snyder’s recently proposed reforms take effect. The change in local spending is one of many Snyder outlined in a special message on roadway and transportation reforms. It would take state road funding from cities and villages that receive less than $50,000 and give it to counties to distribute. The goal of the proposal is to cut costs by cutting layers of bureaucracy. But it has some small town officials nervous.

News

Bus services face rising costs

By |

Download Story
By JORDAN TRAVIS
Capital News Service
LANSING – The Ludington Mass Transportation Authority’s demand-response services will continue, despite rising costs but with stable state funding. The operation offers rides on request to residents of Ludington, Scottsville and parts of Amber and Pere Marquette townships. Riders pay a fare, with discounts for senior citizens and people with disabilities. Services won’t be affected because the authority had money set aside to cover funding shortfalls and other financial crises, Director Richard Collins said. The operation is “very, very fortunate” to have what is called a rainy day fund, Collins said.

News

Freight trains pulling their weight in Michigan

By |

Download Story
By VINCE BOND Jr.
Capital News Service
LANSING- The next time you’re stuck watching a seemingly endless train at a railroad crossing, look at it as a down payment on your next electricity bill. Whether freight trains are delivering coal to power plants in mid-Michigan or transporting iron ore in the Upper Peninsula, they still have what it takes to pull the economy forward, said Robert Chaprnka, president of the Michigan Railroads Association. According to the association, almost half of the nation’s electricity comes from coal, with 70 percent of it transported by rail. Whatever trains lack in speed is made up for in energy efficiency, Chaprnka said. Freight trains can carry 1 ton of cargo 423 miles on 1 gallon of diesel fuel — the distance between Detroit and Syracuse, N.Y.
“First of all, they specialize in hauling heavy loads long distances.