U.S. Department of Transportation Moves up in Best Places to Work Federal Government Survey[ Sep 01, 2010 08:00 ] DOT 162-10
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Office of Public Affairs
Tel: 202-366-4570
U.S. Department of Transportation Moves up in Best Places to Work Federal Government Survey
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today applauded the Department of Transportation’s significant rise in the Partnership for Public Service’s Best Places to Work in the Federal Government rankings.
The Department of Transportation enjoyed one of the greatest improvements in the index among the large agencies with a 15.8 percent increase over 2009, placing 26 out of 32 in the 2010 survey. The results follow a year in which Secretary LaHood initiated a series of town hall meetings with employees across the country to hear their concerns and begin to turn the Department’s rankings around.
“We are committed to our employees and to creating a workplace where they are valued and feel good about coming to work every day,” said Secretary LaHood. “DOT employees are some of the most professional people I’ve met during my time in public service. We aspire to be the top choice for people seeking a rewarding career in transportation.”
Secretary LaHood led the effort to improve upon the Department’s 2009 ranking by focusing on the competencies of first-line supervisors in the areas of effective leadership, empowerment, employee engagement and ethics. Further, an employee satisfaction goal was included in all Senior Executive Service (SES) performance plans.
In addition to holding town hall meetings with employees, Secretary LaHood also asked his agency administrators to meet regularly with employees, to focus on leadership development and internal communications, and to create tailored action plans, which included measurable benchmarks for their agencies.
The Department of Transportation also saw its highest response rate ever, with 67 percent of its employees taking the survey. The federal government’s overall response rate was 52.2 percent.
The Partnership for Public Service is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works to revitalize the federal workforce by inspiring a new generation to serve and by transforming the way government works. The Best Places to Work rankings can be accessed at http://bestplacestowork.org/BPTW/rankings/overall/large
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You are subscribed to DOT News for Department of Transportation. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. DOT Updates âFly Rightsâ Airline Consumer Guide[ Aug 31, 2010 14:42 ] DOT 161-10
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Contact: Bill Mosley
Tel.: (202) 366-4570
DOT Updates “Fly Rights” Airline Consumer Guide
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today unveiled an updated version of Fly Rights: A Consumer Guide to Air Travel, its popular guide to air travelers’ rights.
“We take the rights of airline passengers very seriously,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Ensuring that the flying public has access to the best possible resources and consumer information is an important part of our mission, and this new version of Fly Rights will help air travelers better understand their rights as consumers.”
Since it was first published in 1973, Fly Rights has provided air travelers with helpful advice on such issues as how to get the best airfare, what to expect when a flight is delayed or canceled, and how to avoid travel scams. The guide provides easy-to-read information on federal airline regulations in a number of areas, including accommodating air travelers with disabilities and rules for bumping and baggage compensation. Fly Rights also contains information on airline safety, air traveler health and how to file official complaints against airlines.
The latest version of Fly Rights released today includes updated information on the Department of Transportation’s new consumer protections, including the three-hour limit on tarmac delays for domestic flights, the requirement for large airlines to display on-time performance information for domestic flights on their websites, and the requirement for airlines to respond to consumer complaints about an air travel experience. It also features new formatting and graphics to make it easier to read. Fly Rights is available online at http://airconsumer.dot.gov/publications/flyrights.htm.
In addition to Fly Rights, the Department recently developed another guide to assist the flying public. This pamphlet, entitled When Kids Fly Alone, provides air travel tips for parents of unaccompanied minors. When Kids Fly Alone is available online at http://airconsumer.dot.gov/publications/KidsAlone.pdf.
Print copies of both Fly Rights and When Kids Fly Alone may be obtained free of charge from the DOT warehouse by e-mail at dotwarehouse@dot.gov or by writing to DOT Warehouse, 3341-Q 75th Ave., Lanham, MD 20785. Copies also are available in limited bulk quantities to airlines and airports. Please specify item number X0111A for Fly Rights and X0176 for When Kids Fly Alone.
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You are subscribed to DOT News for Department of Transportation. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. U.S. Department of Transportation Strengthens Commercial Bus Safety with National Passenger Carrier Strike Force[ Aug 31, 2010 12:51 ] FMCSA 11-10
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Contact: Candice Tolliver
Tel: 202-366-9999
U.S. Department of Transportation Strengthens Commercial Bus Safety with National Passenger Carrier Strike Force
WASHINGTON — At an event on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. today, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Administrator Ann Ferro joined state and local officials at a commercial bus checkpoint to observe the safety inspection of motor coaches, tour buses and other commercial passenger vehicles.
The Washington, D.C. checkpoint was part of FMCSA’s annual national Passenger Carrier Strike Force, during which federal, state and local police agencies conduct thousands of motorcoach, charter bus and other passenger carrier inspections at popular travel destinations across the U.S. The sweep runs from August 23 to September 4 and is taking place in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories.
“Safety is our number one priority,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We owe it to the millions of passengers who travel on commercial buses to make sure that every bus on the road is as safe as possible.”
“By taking the Passenger Carrier Strike Force to some of the nation’s busiest travel destinations, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will be able to reach a greater number of carriers and remove unsafe vehicles and drivers from the road,” said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. “This safety initiative is a crucial part of our efforts to prevent crashes and save lives.”
In addition to these strike force sweeps, FMCSA performs roadside safety inspections of commercial buses on a daily basis throughout the year. In 2009 alone, FMCSA and its law enforcement partners inspected more than 130,000 commercial buses, which led FMCSA to place 4.3 percent of bus drivers and 7.6 percent of buses out-of-service for violations ranging from significant vehicle deficiencies to hours-of-service non-compliance. FMCSA also performs strike force sweeps of household goods movers and drug and alcohol compliance throughout the year.
FMCSA strongly encourages travelers considering passenger carrier transportation to visit the agency’s website and review a carrier’s safety records at http://www.ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/Passenger/home.asp. FMCSA also encourages the public to report unsafe carriers and incidents to its safety hotline at 1-888-DOT-SAFT or online at http://nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov. ###
You are subscribed to DOT News for Department of Transportation. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. USDOT Announces New, Historic Uniform High-Speed Rail Design Standards to Help U.S. Manufacturers to Compete[ Aug 31, 2010 12:51 ] DOT 160-10
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Contact: Rob Kulat
Tel: 202-493-6024
USDOT Announces New, Historic Uniform High-Speed Rail Design Standards to Help U.S. Manufacturers to Compete
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced the first-ever uniform technical standards for the manufacture of high-speed intercity passenger rail cars, a development that will enhance the ability of U.S. manufacturers to compete in what is set to become a burgeoning industry.
“As part of the Obama Administration’s focus on maximizing manufacturing opportunities, these first-ever uniform standards will provide an unprecedented opportunity for manufacturers in the U.S. – from rails to wheel bearings, to final assembly – to build a strong, stable manufacturing base,” said Secretary LaHood.
A uniform standard creates a level playing field and economies of scale based on a common set of designs and technical requirements allowing U.S. based manufacturers to more effectively compete. Fostering healthy economic competition will drive down costs for rail owners and operators and the traveling public. Further, maintenance and repair costs will be lower because of lower parts acquisition costs. And, training can be streamlined with just one type of equipment, allowing faster turnaround for repairs.
The first technical standard will apply to bi-level passenger rail cars for use in high-speed passenger rail operations.
“This is a milestone in the history of rail transportation,” said Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo. “These standardized bi-level passenger rail cars will be able to operate nationwide and are compatible with existing equipment. A common design also makes it easier to train maintenance personnel, stock parts and perform repairs, which reduces costs.”
New bi-level cars will meet all current safety requirements and regulations, as well as be able to satisfy future regulations for crash energy management. As existing passenger rail vehicles are replaced, the addition of new stock will enhance system safety.
The standards will ensure that newly manufactured cars can be used with the current passenger locomotive fleet, either alone or with existing bi-level cars, and are designed to accommodate entry and departure from low-level platforms. The new cars will also be Americans with Disabilities Act -compliant.
Similar standards for single-level passenger rail cars are expected to be adopted by the end of the year.
The establishment of technical standards for high-speed rail operations is required by the Passenger Railroad Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 and was developed by the Technical Subcommittee of the Section 305 Next Generation Equipment Committee. Members include the Federal Railroad Administration, Amtrak and state Departments of Transportation. The subcommittee also received input and participation from rail industry manufacturers, freight railroads and transportation associations.
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You are subscribed to DOT News for Department of Transportation. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. BTS Releases North American Surface Trade Numbers for June[ Aug 31, 2010 11:12 ] BTS 41-10
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Contact: Kim Riddle
Tel: 202-366-5128
BTS Releases North American Surface Trade Numbers for June:
June 2010 Surface Trade with Canada and Mexico Rose 37.6 Percent from June 2009
(State Rankings in Tables 5 and 7)
Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico was 37.6 percent higher in June 2010 than in June 2009, reaching $69.9 billion, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation (Table 1).
BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in June 2010 remained 5.8 percent below the June 2008 level despite the 2009-2010 increase (Table 3). North American surface freight value rose 4.6 percent in June 2010 from May 2010 (Table 2). Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors.
U.S.–Canada surface transportation trade totaled $42.0 billion in June, up 35.5 percent compared to June 2009. U.S.–Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $27.8 billion in June, up 41.0 percent compared to June 2009.
Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail and pipeline. In June, 86.6 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moved on land.
See BTS Transborder Data Release for summary tables, state rankings and additional data. See North American Transborder Freight Data for historic data.
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You are subscribed to DOT News for Department of Transportation. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. AirTran Fined for Violating Rules Protecting Air Travelers with Disabilities[ Aug 30, 2010 15:44 ] DOT 159-10
Monday, August 30, 2010
Contact: Bill Mosley
Tel.: (202) 366-4570
AirTran Fined for Violating Rules Protecting Air Travelers with Disabilities
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today assessed a civil penalty against AirTran Airways for violating rules protecting air travelers with disabilities. The carrier was assessed a civil penalty of $500,000, of which up to $200,000 may be used to improve its service to disabled passengers beyond what is required by law.
“People with disabilities have the right to expect fair treatment when they fly, and we will continue to take enforcement action when their rights are violated,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
The Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 requires airlines to provide assistance to passengers with disabilities in boarding and deplaning aircraft, including the use of wheelchairs, ramps, mechanical lifts or service personnel where needed. U.S. Department of Transportation rules also require carriers to respond within 30 days to written complaints about their treatment of disabled passengers, and to specifically address the issues raised in the complaint. In addition, airlines must submit annual reports to the Department on disability-related complaints from passengers, noting the type of disability and nature of the complaint.
An investigation by the Department of Transportation’s Aviation Enforcement Office of disability complaints filed with AirTran and DOT revealed a number of violations of the requirement for boarding assistance. In addition, the carrier’s complaint files showed that it frequently did not provide an adequate written response to complaints from passengers. AirTran also failed to properly categorize disability complaints in reports filed with the Department, the Aviation Enforcement Office found.
Of the $500,000 penalty, up to $60,000 may be used to establish a council to help the carrier comply with federal disability rules and hire a manager for disability accommodations. Up to $140,000 may be used to develop and employ an automated wheelchair tracking system at AirTran’s major hub airports within one year that will generate real-time reports of the carrier’s wheelchair assistance performance.
The consent order is available on the Internet at www.regulations.gov, docket DOT-OST-2010-0005.
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You are subscribed to DOT News for Department of Transportation. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood Announces $11.6 Million in Grants for Minority- and Women-Owned Businesses[ Aug 26, 2010 11:32 ] FHWA 40-10
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Contact: Doug Hecox
Tel: 202-366-0660
U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood Announces $11.6 Million in Grants for Minority- and Women-Owned Businesses
Resources will Help Small Businesses Compete for Federal Highway Contracts
WASHINGTON - U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced $11.6 million in grants to help disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) compete for federal highway contracts in 30 states and Puerto Rico.
“Giving these small businesses the assistance they need to compete for federal highway contracts creates jobs and ultimately helps taxpayers by reducing project costs,” said Secretary LaHood. “Any way you look at them, these grants are a ‘win-win’ for the American people.”
The grants from the Federal Highway Administration’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise/Supportive Services (DBE/SS) program provide federal aid to DBE firms to improve their ability to compete for and fulfill federal highway contracts.
Since1982, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has promoted the participation of DBEs in federal-aid highway contracts through state-managed programs. The DBE/SS grants are part of an ongoing federal effort to help state departments of transportation train certified DBE firms on a wide range of business management practices, including procurement assistance and guidance on securing bonding. The goal of the program is to help DBEs successfully compete for federal highway projects.
"Helping DBE firms and their workers enriches the competition for federal highway contracts," said Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez. "Grants like these will help people find jobs and are an important part of economic recovery."
A DBE is a for-profit, small business owned by minorities, women or socially and economically disadvantaged individuals or, in the case of a corporation, in which 51 percent of the stock is owned by one or more such individuals. The daily business operations must be controlled by at least one of the socially and economically disadvantaged owners. More information about DBE eligibility can be found on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s website.
Details of today's awardees are as follows:
State
Recipient Organization
Amount Awarded
Alabama
Alabama Department of Transportation
$373,950
Alabama
Alabama Department of Transportation
$384,312
Alaska
Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
$185,381
Arizona
Arizona Department of Transportation
$750,000
Arkansas
Arkansas State Highway Transportation Department
$194,864
California
California Department of Transportation
$1,000,000
Connecticut
Connecticut Department of Transportation
$391,320
Delaware
Delaware Department of Transportation
$262,500
Florida
Florida Department of Transportation
$600,000
Idaho
Idaho Department of Transportation
$97,900
Illinois
Illinois Department of Transportation
$912,600
Indiana
Indiana Department of Transportation
$603,499
Kansas
Kansas Department of Transportation
$175,000
Kentucky
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
$150,500
Maine
Maine Department of Transportation
$109,000
Maryland
Maryland State Highway Administration
$300,000
Michigan
Michigan Department of Transportation
$475,000
Mississippi
Mississippi Department of Transportation
$485,900
Montana
Montana Department of Transportation
$232,190
New Mexico
New Mexico Department of Transportation
$218,500
North Carolina
North Carolina Department of Transportation
$514,900
Ohio
Ohio Department of Transportation
$430,500
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Department of Transportation
$41,166
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
$455,652
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority
$92,500
South Carolina
South Carolina Department of Transportation
$258,383
South Dakota
South Dakota Department of Transportation
$139,033
Tennessee
Tennessee Department of Transportation
$600,000
Texas
Texas Department of Transportation
$500,000
Vermont
Vermont Department of Transportation
$150,000
Washington
Washington Department of Transportation
$309,096
Wyoming
Wyoming Department of Transportation
$160,397
TOTAL
$11,554,493
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You are subscribed to DOT News for Department of Transportation. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. U.S. Transportation Secretary Announces $5.9 Million for On-the-Job Training Grants[ Aug 26, 2010 11:31 ] FHWA 39-10
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Contact: Doug Hecox
Tel: 202-366-0660
U.S. Transportation Secretary Announces $5.9 Million for On-the-Job Training Grants
Resources will Aid Worker Training in 19 States and Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON - U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced $5.9 million in grants to support transportation-related job training in 19 states and Washington, D.C.
The grants from the Federal Highway Administration’s On the Job Training/ Supportive Services (OJT/SS) program will fund apprenticeships and training opportunities for underrepresented or disadvantaged people pursuing careers in transportation, engineering or construction.
“America can never have enough well-trained employees to keep our transportation system running smoothly," said Secretary LaHood. "These grants will help put people back to work and train those who keep America moving.”
Created in 1998, the OJT/SS program promotes training opportunities for women and minorities who continue to be underrepresented in the highway construction industry's skilled and semi-skilled crafts, such as masonry and carpentry.
"Ensuring transportation workers are properly trained is an important part of economic recovery," said Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez. "These grants will help us build a skilled workforce to keep our nation’s highway system the best in the world."
Details of today's awardees are as follows:
State
Recipient Organization
Amount Awarded
Alabama
Alabama Department of Transportation – Displaced Workers Recruitment Program
$269,892
Arkansas
Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department
$68,478
California
Northern California Teamsters Apprentice Training
$307,841
California
California State University – Los Angeles (Infrastructure Academy Transportation Program II)
$254,957
Washington, DC
Trans-Tech Academy – Cardozo High School
$400,000
Delaware
Delaware Department of Transportation OJT/SS Program
$78,231
Florida
Florida Department of Transportation OJT/SS Program
$80,710
Georgia
Goodwill of North Georgia/Georgia Women in Construction
$292,000
Hawaii
Hawaii Department of Transportation - Construction Career Days
$13,395
Idaho
Idaho State University - Highway Transportation Training of Women and Minority Civil Engineering Students
$190,577
Idaho
Idaho Department of Corrections and Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
$226,894
Illinois
OJT/SS Program
$713,250
Kansas
Kansas Department of Transportation
$155,451
Kansas
Kansas Department of Transportation
$169,725
Minnesota
Highway-Heavy Partnering Program
$253,555
Minnesota
Highway-Heavy Opportunities Training (HOT) Program
$519,022
Missouri
Construction Prep Center
$289,000
Missouri
Job Point/Columbia Builds Youth
$473,912
Montana
Salish Kootenai College
$314,809
Montana
Fort Peck Community College
$191,946
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Department of Transportation OJT/SS Program
$36,000
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Construction Career Days
$31,950
Ohio
Ohio Department of Transportation OJT/SS Program
$137,854
Rhode Island
Transportation Educational Clusters Program
$193,711
South Dakota
Southeast Technical Institute Heavy Equipment Operations
$213,000
Washington
Washington State Department of Transportation OJT/SS Program
$54,131
TOTAL
$5,923,291
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You are subscribed to DOT News for Department of Transportation. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. U. S. Department of Transportation Announces Nationwide Enforcement Crackdown on Drunk Driving[ Aug 25, 2010 14:04 ] NHTSA 09-10
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Contact: Ellen Martin
Tel: 202-366-9550
U. S. Department of Transportation Announces Nationwide Enforcement Crackdown on Drunk Driving
NHTSA Releases New Survey Showing One in Five U.S. Drivers Admits to Drinking and Driving
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation today kicked off the annual Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. campaign aimed at getting drunk drivers off the road. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also released new data today indicating that eight percent of all drivers, as many as 17 million people, have driven drunk at least once during the past year.
The law enforcement crackdown will run through Labor Day and involve thousands of police agencies from across the nation. Enforcement efforts are supported by $13 million in television and radio advertising from NHTSA.
“Drunk driving is deadly, it’s against the law, and unfortunately, it’s still a problem,” said Secretary LaHood. “With the help of law enforcement around the country, we are going to continue doing all that we can to stop drunk driving and the needless tragedies that result from this reckless behavior.”
NHTSA’s research revealed that about one in five Americans have driven within two hours of drinking alcohol in the past year. Four out of five Americans identified drunk driving as a “major threat” to their own and their family’s safety.
The survey noted that those who reported that they drink and drive consumed alcohol more regularly than individuals who drink but choose not to drive afterwards. More than one in four drinking drivers, 28 percent, consumed alcoholic beverages three or more days a week, compared to 10 percent of drivers who drink but do not drive afterwards.
NHTSA Administrator David Strickland said, “Our message is loud and clear. If you drive drunk you will be arrested and prosecuted. There will be no exceptions and no excuses. And if you’re below the age of 21, there is zero tolerance for any alcohol in your system whatsoever. That’s why we’re out there with law enforcement, tackling this major safety issue head on.”
Administrator Strickland noted that the study revealed a particularly concerning rate of drinking and driving behavior among young drivers, especially young male drivers. Few 16 to 20 year-old respondents admitted to driving after drinking in the survey, but those that did admit to drinking said they drank almost six alcohol beverages at one sitting. While this admission in the survey was inclusive of all drinking occasions, and not just drinking and driving, it does suggest that when young people decide to combine the two, they are drinking more heavily.
Personal drinking behavior can also lead to an increased likelihood of riding with impaired, unsafe drivers. According to the survey, 8 percent of the population 16 and older rode in the past year with a driver they thought may have consumed too much alcohol to drive safely.
The latest survey was administered in 2008 by telephone to 6,999 respondents 16 years and older, and over-sampled teenagers and young adults 16-24 years of age. The survey is conducted on a periodic basis to monitor the public’s attitudes, knowledge, and self-reported behavior regarding drinking and driving.
Visit http://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/traffic_tech/tt392.pdf to view the new survey.
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You are subscribed to DOT News for Department of Transportation. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. U.S. DOT Proposes $1 Million Civil Penalty Against Pipeline Company for Possible Violations in Fatal Louisiana Accident[ Aug 24, 2010 14:39 ] PHMSA 05-10
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Contact: Julia Piscitelli
Tel: 202-366-4831
U.S. DOT Proposes $1 Million Civil Penalty Against Pipeline Company for Possible Violations in Fatal Louisiana Accident
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation today announced that its Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is proposing more than a $1 million civil penalty against the Marathon Pipe Line Company after an investigation into the March 2009 pipeline failure at the St. James Terminal in Vacherie, Louisiana. One welder was killed and three other workers were injured when hazardous vapors in a crude oil sump ignited during maintenance.
“The Department’s top priority is safety,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “The agency will hold pipeline operators accountable for protecting the health, welfare, and safety of their workers.”
PHMSA’s investigation uncovered possible failures by Marathon to institute and follow required procedures to safely and effectively perform maintenance activities, report previous accidents and take actions to prevent the occurrence of such accidents, and use qualified and drug-tested personnel.
“It is essential that pipeline operators follow safety regulations when conducting maintenance and operational procedures to mitigate safety risks to their workers and the surrounding public,” said PHMSA Administrator Cynthia L. Quarterman. “Proposing and assessing civil penalties is a key component of our oversight mission.”
In addition to the proposed violation notice and associated fines, PHMSA issued a proposed Compliance Order to Marathon that would require the company to submit the requested reports, develop procedures, and properly qualify company workers.
Pipeline operators are allowed up to 30 days to respond to allegations included in a Notice of Probable Violation or, after review PHMSA could conclude the allegations to be facts and issue a Final Order without further notice. To learn more about PHMSA’s enforcement tools and processes, visit the agency’s enforcement page on its Stakeholders Communications website at http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/comm.
PHMSA’s pipeline safety inspectors and its state partners are committed to ensuring the safety of America’s pipeline transportation system and will continue to carefully monitor the activities of Marathon Pipe Line Company.
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You are subscribed to DOT News for Department of Transportation. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Strike Force Removes Unsafe Commercial Drivers and Carriers from the Road[ Aug 18, 2010 12:02 ] FMCSA 10-10
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Contact: Candice Tolliver
Tel: (202) 366.2309 or (202) 306.4580
FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Strike Force Removes Unsafe Commercial Drivers and Carriers from the Road
WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced that 109 commercial bus and truck drivers were removed from the roads and more than 175 carriers face enforcement actions as a result of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s annual drug and alcohol strike force sweep that occurred from June 21 through July 2.
“If you are a commercial driver or carrier operating in violation of federal drug and alcohol laws, we will remove you from our roadways,” said Secretary LaHood. “Parents deserve to know their children are being driven by bus drivers who are drug and alcohol free, and every motorist deserves to feel confident that the drivers of large trucks and buses are safe and sober.”
During the two week sweep, FMCSA strike force investigators examined the drug and alcohol safety records of commercial drivers employed by bus and truck companies, including school bus drivers, interstate passenger carriers, hazardous material transporters and general freight long-haul trucking companies. Their goals were to identify motor carriers in violation of federal drug and alcohol testing requirements and to remove from the road commercial truck and bus drivers who jump from carrier to carrier to evade federal drug and alcohol testing and reporting requirements.
“FMCSA is committed to ensuring that only safe commercial drivers and carriers are allowed to operate,” said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. “Our annual drug and alcohol strike force is just one of the ways we weed out those ‘bad actors’ and make our roads safer for everyone.”
The 109 commercial drivers identified in the sweep face the prospect of a monetary fine and being barred from operating a commercial motor vehicle for failing to adhere to federal drug and alcohol regulations. Additionally, 175 commercial carriers face pending enforcement actions for violations, such as using a driver who has tested positive for illegal drugs and for not instituting a drug and alcohol testing program. Both drivers and carriers will have an opportunity to contest the alleged violations and the amount of the civil penalties.
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You are subscribed to DOT News for Department of Transportation. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. BTS Releases June Passenger Airline Employment Data; June 2010 Employment Down 2.4 Percent from June 2009[ Aug 17, 2010 11:03 ] BTS 40-10
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Contact: Dave Smallen
Tel: 202-366-5568
BTS Releases June Passenger Airline Employment Data;
June 2010 Employment Down 2.4 Percent from June 2009
U.S. scheduled passenger airlines employed 2.4 percent fewer workers in June 2010 than in June 2009, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported today. This is the 24th consecutive decrease in full-time equivalent employee (FTE) levels for the scheduled passenger carriers from the same month of the previous year. FTE calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.
BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the June FTE total of 378,300 for the scheduled passenger carriers was 9,400 below that of June 2009. However, the June FTE number was the highest since January 2010. Historic employment data can be found on the BTS web site.
Five network airlines decreased employment from June 2009 to June 2010. Delta Air Lines, after completing its merger with Northwest Airlines, is reporting combined employment numbers in 2010 and reported 5.9 percent more FTEs in June 2010 than the combined totals of both carriers for June 2009. Network airlines operate a significant portion of their flights using at least one hub where connections are made for flights to down-line destinations or spoke cities.
Southwest Airlines and AirTran Airways were the only low-cost carriers to report a decrease in employees from June 2009. Regional carriers Comair, Atlantic Southeast Airlines, Pinnacle Airlines, Horizon Air, Mesa Airlines, Air Wisconsin Airlines, Mesaba Airlines, Shuttle America Airlines, and Lynx Airlines also reported reduced employment levels compared to last year.
Scheduled passenger airline categories include network, low-cost, regional and other airlines.
The six network airlines employed 256,600 FTEs in June, 67.8 percent of the passenger airline total, while low-cost carriers employed 16.9 percent and regional carriers employed 13.8 percent.
See BTS Passenger Airline Employment press release for summary tables and additional data.
You are subscribed to DOT News for Department of Transportation. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Overwhelming Response of States Seeking High-Speed Rail Funding Underscores Public Support for New Transportation Options[ Aug 16, 2010 13:03 ] FRA 13-10
Monday, August 16, 2010
Contact: Rob Kulat
Tel: 202-493-6024
Overwhelming Response of States Seeking High-Speed Rail Funding Underscores Public Support for New Transportation Options
FRA Receives 77 Applications for High-Speed Passenger Rail Funding Totaling $8.5 Billion
In an overwhelming show of support for the Administration’s high-speed rail initiative, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood today announced that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has received 77 applications from 25 states for the most recent round of High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) grant funding. Application requests total more than $8.5 billion and will be considered for funding from more than $2.3 billion appropriated in FY 2010.
This is in addition to the $8 billion appropriated in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) as a down payment for the HSIPR program.
“The response to our call to transform America’s transportation landscape has been tremendous and shows the country is ready for high-speed rail,” Secretary LaHood said. “We have received strong bi-partisan support for President Obama’s bold initiative that will enhance regional mobility, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, ease highway and airport congestion and reduce our carbon footprint.”
FRA received 20 applications from 10 states totaling $7.8 billion for high-speed rail corridor development programs. FRA also received 57 applications from 18 states totaling $700 million for smaller, individual projects within rail corridors that are ready to begin construction. While not all proposed projects can be funded, the Department will evaluate the applications to identify the projects that will deliver the greatest public benefits and give American taxpayers the highest return on their investment.
“These historic investments will allow states to take the next step in making their high-speed intercity passenger rail development plans a reality,” said FRA Administrator Joseph C. Szabo. “The states and FRA have been working hard to establish a solid foundation for a long-term program that will reshape our transportation system.”
Total funding to date for the HSIPR program comes from several sources:
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: $8 billion.
FY2009 appropriations and remaining funds from a related FY 2008 appropriations funded program: $95 million.
FY2010 appropriations: $2.125 billion (HSIPR service development projects), $245 million (HSIPR individual projects), and $50 million (HSIPR planning and multi-state proposal activities).
Grant selections for the $2.345 billion in FY2010 appropriations are intended to help states further develop their corridor plans. From this amount, $245 million has been reserved for individual projects within a corridor that is ready to begin construction. Recipients of this funding will be announced in the fall of 2010.
To date, FRA has awarded more than $583 million to states for HSIPR.
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You are subscribed to DOT News for Department of Transportation. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood Announces Proposal to Require Seatbelts on All New Motorcoaches[ Aug 16, 2010 11:58 ] NHTSA 08-10
Monday, August 16, 2010
Contact: Eric Bolton
Tel: 202-366-9550
U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood Announces Proposal to Require
Seatbelts on All New Motorcoaches
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced a proposal that would require new motorcoaches to have lap-shoulder belts to help prevent driver and passenger ejections during a collision. The proposed rule will take effect three years after the final rule is issued.
“We’re committed to making sure that motorcoach travelers reach their destinations safely,” said Secretary LaHood. “Seat belts save lives, and putting them in motorcoaches just makes sense.”
While motorcoach travel is a very safe mode of highway transportation in the U.S., carrying 750 million passengers annually, an average of 19 motorcoach occupants are killed each year on U.S. roadways. Wearing lap-shoulder belts on motorcoaches could reduce the risk for passengers of being killed in a rollover crash by 77 percent, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA.)
“We want motorcoaches to be as safe as possible and are working towards that goal,” said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. “In coordination with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, we will continue moving forward in our mission to save lives and reduce injuries.”
Today’s announcement is just the latest initiative from the U.S. Department of Transportation to improve motorcoach safety. Earlier this year, the department released a Motorcoach Safety Action Plan offering concrete steps for addressing driver fatigue or inattention and improving operator maintenance. Research for improving motorcoach structure, fire safety protection and emergency egress is also under way, which could lead to recommendations for new federal standards in the future.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is seeking public comment on the proposal for the next 90 days. To view the new proposal, click here.
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You are subscribed to DOT News for Department of Transportation. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood Announces Corridors, Projects and Initiatives Eligible for Funding as Part of Americaâs Marine Highway[ Aug 11, 2010 09:32 ] MARAD 13-10
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Contact: Cheron Victoria Wicker
Tel: 202-366-5067
U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood Announces Corridors, Projects and Initiatives Eligible for Funding as Part of America’s Marine Highway
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Just four months after unveiling the America’s Marine Highway Program, a new initiative to move more cargo on the water rather than on crowded highways, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced his selection of marine highway corridors and an initial eight projects and six initiatives along the corridors that will be eligible for federal assistance under the program.
The Department’s Maritime Administration chose the projects and initiatives from 35 applications submitted by ports and local transportation agencies.
“Making better use of our rivers and coastal routes offers an intelligent way to relieve some of the biggest challenges we face in transportation – congestion on our roads, climate change, fossil fuel energy use and soaring road maintenance costs,” said Secretary LaHood. “There is no better time for us to improve the use of our rivers and coasts for transportation.”
The selected corridors are along the West, East and Gulf Coasts, the Great Lakes and many of America’s inland waterways. The Maritime Administration will assist the project sponsors in developing marine transportation services and with identifying potential freight and passenger markets. The designated projects are also eligible to compete for future Marine Highway federal funding, including $7 million in initial funding being made available today.
“These projects will help make better use of America’s Marine Highway by reducing gridlock, improving the environment, and putting skilled mariners and shipbuilders to work,” said David Matsuda, Maritime Administrator.
The selected projects include:
Cross Sound Enhancements Project (Connecticut Department of Transportation): this project will improve ferry capacity and reduce environmental impacts by upgrades to three passenger vehicle/ferries operating between New London, CT, and Orient Point in Long Island, NY.
New England Marine Highway Expansion Project (Maine Department of Transportation): this project will expand an existing container-on-barge service operating between Newark, NJ, Boston, MA, and Portland, ME. Service capacity and reliability will be improved by the addition of a more seaworthy vessel in the service.
Cross Gulf Container Expansion (Ports of Manatee, FL, and Brownsville, TX): will expand an existing container-on-barge operation by increasing the frequency and capacity of the service between Brownsville, TX, and Port Manatee, FL, across the Gulf of Mexico.
Tenn-Tom Waterway Pilot Project (Port Itawamba, MS): this project involves a new container-on-barge service between the Port of Itawamba, MS, on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway and the Port of Mobile, AL, to function as the inland leg of a new route between deep draft Gulf Coast container terminals and manufacturing centers near Port Itawamba.
Gulf Atlantic Marine Highway Project (South Carolina State Ports Authority and Port of Galveston, TX): this project is intended to transport containerized freight between Gulf, Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic coastal ports on a modern fleet of U.S. flag vessels.
Detroit-Wayne County Ferry (Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority): this project will develop a cross-border passenger service between Detroit, MI, and Windsor, Ontario, Canada, focusing on transporting commuters.
Trans-Hudson Rail Service (Port Authority of New York & New Jersey): this project proposes to expand the quality and capacity of an ongoing cross-harbor rail float service operating between the Greenville Rail Terminal in Jersey City, NJ, and Brooklyn, NY.
James River Container Expansion (Virginia Port Authority): this project will expand an existing container-on-barge service between the Hampton Roads region of Virginia and Richmond, VA, by increasing frequency of service and starting a new inter-terminal barge service in Hampton Roads.
In addition to the America’s Marine Highways project designations, Secretary LaHood also identified six initiatives eligible to apply for federal funding for further development of concepts:
Hudson River Food Corridor Initiative (New York City Soil & Water Conservation District): this initiative will evaluate the feasibility of an alternate means of transporting fresh produce from agricultural regions in North-Central New York near the Hudson River and Long Island to the New York-Newark Metropolitan Area via water.
New Jersey Marine Highway Initiative (New Jersey Department of Transportation): this initiative will assess the feasibility and opportunities to develop a network of Marine Highway services within New Jersey and between New Jersey and ports in New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maryland and Virginia.
East Coast Marine Highway Initiative (Ports of New Bedford, MA, Baltimore, MD, and Canaveral, FL): this initiative proposes to develop a Marine Highway service utilizing a fleet of existing and new-build U.S. flag vessels to transport both international containers and trailers to destinations along the I-95 Corridor. The initiative includes the ports of New Bedford, MA, Baltimore, MD and Canaveral, FL, with others to be added where feasible.
West Coast Hub-Feeder Initiative (Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District): this initiative will examine the feasibility of an intermodal distribution network served by a Marine Highway service along the coastlines of the states of Washington, Oregon and California.
Golden State Marine Highway Initiative (Ports of Redwood City, Hueneme and San Diego; and the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District): this initiative is a joint effort by four California ports to improve the efficiency of freight movement by developing a service linking California’s ports to form a 1,100-mile Marine Highway along the west coast.
Illinois-Gulf Marine Highway Initiative (Heart of Illinois Regional Port District): this initiative will examine opportunities for a Marine Highway service to support Midwest industrial production and operating between U.S. Gulf Coast seaports and Peoria, IL, via the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers.
To date, the Department has awarded $58 million in grants for projects to support the start-up or expansion of Marine Highways services. Today, the Maritime Administration is making available up to $7 million in additional funding for designated projects. Applications are due August 27, 2010.
Click here for more information about the Marine Highway initiative, and details on individual corridors and projects.
You are subscribed to DOT News for Department of Transportation. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Long Tarmac Delays in June Down Dramatically from Last Year[ Aug 10, 2010 11:08 ] DOT 156-10
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Contact: Bill Mosley
Tel: (202) 366-4570
Long Tarmac Delays in June Down Dramatically from Last Year
The nation’s largest airlines reported only three flights in June with tarmac delays of more than three hours compared to 268 flights in June 2009 and with no increase in the rate of canceled flights, according to the Air Travel Consumer Report released today by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
According to information filed with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), a part of DOT’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), the only tarmac delays longer than three hours reported in June by the 18 airlines who file on-time performance with DOT involved three United Airlines flights departing Chicago’s O’Hare airport on June 18, a day in which the Chicago area experienced a severe thunderstorm. None of the tarmac delays exceeded the three-hour limit by more than five minutes. June was the second full month of data since the new aviation consumer rule went into effect on April 29. In May, the first full month, there were five reported tarmac times of more than three hours, down from 34 in May 2009. A subsequent DOT investigation determined that four of the five May flights were misreported by the airline. Corrected data will be available from BTS when the airline submits revised data.
The carriers canceled 1.5 percent of their scheduled domestic flights in June, equal to the 1.5 percent cancellation rate of June 2009. They posted a 1.2 percent cancellation rate in May 2010.
The new rule prohibits U.S. airlines operating domestic flights from permitting an aircraft to remain on the tarmac for more than three hours without deplaning passengers, with exceptions allowed only for safety or security or if air traffic control advises the pilot in command that returning to the terminal would disrupt airport operations. The Department will investigate tarmac delays that exceed this limit.
The monthly report also includes data on on-time performance, chronically delayed flights, flight cancellations and the causes of flight delays by the reporting carriers. In addition, it has information on airline bumping, reports of mishandled baggage filed with the carriers, and consumer service, disability and discrimination complaints received by DOT’s Aviation Consumer Protection Division. This report also includes reports of incidents involving pets traveling by air, as required to be filed by U.S. carriers.
A news release on the report is available at www.dot.gov/affairs/2010/dot15610.html. The full report is available at http://airconsumer.dot.gov/reports/index.htm. Detailed information on flight delays is available at http://www.bts.gov.
-END-
You are subscribed to DOT News for Department of Transportation. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. U.S. Department of Transportation Teams with ESPN and State FarmÂŽ To Go âOn the Roadâ to Wipe Out Distracted Driving[ Aug 03, 2010 13:36 ] DOT 153-10
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Contact: Karen Aldana
Tel: 202-366-9550
U.S. Department of Transportation Teams with ESPN and State FarmÂŽ
To Go ‘On the Road’ to Wipe Out Distracted Driving
Participation in two-week pro football training camp bus tour to raise ‘Put it Down’ awareness
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced today that it has joined forces with State Farm and ESPN’s “On the Road to Camp”—a cross-country bus tour that will take ESPN’s senior analyst Chris Mortensen and Insider Adam Schefter to all 32 pro football training camps in 19 days. The tour, which runs from July 29 to August 16, aims to generate awareness of the real and increasingly serious dangers caused by distracted driving.
On separate buses, carrying the “Stop Distracted Driving” message, Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter will cross the nation visiting all 32 team training camps. Together, they will log more than 15,000 combined miles before they meet in New Orleans on August 16.
“Distracted driving is an extremely dangerous and life threatening practice. We are excited to go On the Road with ESPN and State Farm to share the message that all of us need to stop distracted driving. By reminding all drivers to simply put it down, we can help put an end to the dangers of distracted driving and keep our roads safe,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
“This tour is uniquely positioned to reach football fans across the league, and provides the perfect setting to work with the USDOT and State Farm to raise awareness of the serious dangers of distracted driving,” said Ed Erhardt, President, ESPN Customer Marketing and Sales.
In 2008, nearly 6,000 people died on American roadways in crashes that involved distracted driving. ESPN, State Farm and USDOT hope to educate the public on the dangers of distracted driving.
State Farm, USDOT and ESPN are committed to keeping our roads safe. This program is a unique way to help raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving and remind drivers that they are not invincible, and that many tragic accidents could have been prevented if it weren’t for distracted driving.
Coverage of ESPN’s “On The Road to Camp”will include daily appearances by Mortensen and Schefter on SportsCenter and NFL Live, as well as Monday Night Countdown (before ESPN’s Monday Night Football preseason games on Aug. 12 and 16); reports on ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning (simulcast on ESPN2); blog items, video, interactive maps and daily post cards on ESPN.com; and regular updates on Twitter (@mortreport and @Adam_Schefter). Additionally, the campaign will include on-air vignettes highlighting the statistical increase in Distracted Driving-related accidents.
For a full Schedule of “On the Road to Camp”, click here.
For more information on distracted driving please visit http://www.distraction.gov.
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You are subscribed to DOT News for Department of Transportation. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. DOT, Seventeen Magazine, and AAA Launch National Two-Second Turnoff Day Video Challenge[ Aug 02, 2010 12:06 ] DOT 152-10
Monday, August 2, 2010
Contact: Olivia Alair
Tel: 202-366-4570
DOT, Seventeen Magazine, and AAA Launch
National Two-Second Turnoff Day Video Challenge
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation, Seventeen magazine and AAA today announced their National Two-Second Turnoff Day Viral Video Challenge, a contest that will run from August 2 until September 10 to raise awareness among young people about the dangers of talking and texting while driving. The contest challenges teens to develop a catchy, creative anti-distracted driving video to promote safe driving and Seventeen’s National Two-Second Turnoff Day, scheduled for September 17, 2010.
Watch the launch video HERE.
To enter, teens should fill out an official entry form at www.seventeen.com/twosecond, then upload a creative anti-distracted driving video and share it among friends. The video will be featured at DOT’s second Distracted Driving Summit on September 21, 2010 and on Seventeen.com, AAAExchange.com, and Distraction.gov. The winner will also receive a $2,000 prize sponsored by AAA and Discover.
“One in four teen drivers say they’ve texted behind the wheel, and that’s a trend we’ve got to confront head on,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “This contest is an innovative and fun way to get teens involved in spreading the word about the importance of keeping their eyes on the road – and off their phones.”
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, taking your eyes off of the road for two seconds doubles your crash risk. It also only takes two seconds to turn off the phone before getting behind the wheel. Seventeen magazine is holding a National Two-Second Turnoff Day on September 17 to remind teens to take two seconds and turn off the phone while driving.
“Eighty-Six percent of teens know that distracted driving is dangerous—and they do it anyway,” says Ann Shoket, editor in chief of Seventeen Magazine, citing a Seventeen/AAA 2010 survey. “This contest helps teens hammer the real danger of driving while distracted to prevent accidents and save lives.”
“AAA is pleased to partner with the Department of Transportation and Seventeen magazine in a unique viral campaign that is certain to engage young people and encourage them to spread the word about how simple it is to prevent the dangerous practice of driving while distracted,” said AAA President and CEO Robert L. Darbelnet.
Research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that in 2008, nearly 6,000 people died and more than half a million were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver. More than 20 percent of all crashes that same year involved some type of distraction, and the highest number of fatal crashes involved drivers under the age of 20. Additionally, 40% of teenagers say they have been in a car when the driver used a cell phone in a way that put themselves or others in danger, and one in four American teens of driving age say they have texted while driving.
To learn more about the National Two-Second Turnoff Day Video Challenge, please visit www.seventeen.com/twosecond. For more information on the dangers of distracted driving, please visit www.distraction.gov and www.AAAExchange.com.
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You are subscribed to DOT News for Department of Transportation. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. BTS Releases North American Surface Trade Numbers for May[ Jul 29, 2010 11:06 ] BTS 37-10
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Contact: Dave Smallen
Tel: 202-366-5568
BTS Releases North American Surface Trade Numbers for May:
May 2010 Surface Trade with Canada and Mexico Rose 39.5 Percent from May 2009
(State Rankings in Tables 5 and 7)
Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico was 39.5 percent higher in May 2010 than in May 2009, reaching $66.8 billion, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The 39.5 percent increase was the largest percentage year over year increase in total U.S.-NAFTA trade by surface modes on record back to April 1994. May was the third month in the last four with a record percentage year-over-year increase.
BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in May 2010 remained 9.9 percent below the May 2008 level despite the 2009-2010 increase. North American surface freight value rose 1.5 percent in May 2010 from April 2010. Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors.
U.S.–Canada surface transportation trade totaled $40.2 billion in May, up 37.5 percent compared to May 2009. U.S.–Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $26.6 billion in May, up 42.7 percent compared to May 2009.
Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail and pipeline. In May, 86.2 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moved on land.
See BTS Transborder Data Release for summary tables, state rankings and additional data. See North American Transborder Freight Data for historic data.
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You are subscribed to DOT News for Department of Transportation. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. BTS Releases 1st-Quarter 2010 Air Fare Data[ Jul 28, 2010 11:43 ] BTS 36-10
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Contact: Dave Smallen
Tel: 202-366-5568
BTS Releases 1st-Quarter 2010 Air Fare Data;
Average 1st-Quarter Domestic Air Fares Increased 4.7% from 1st Quarter 2009
Top 100 Airports: Highest Fare in Huntsville, Lowest Fare in Atlantic City
Average domestic air fares in the first quarter of 2010 increased to the second highest January-to-March level since 2001, rising 4.7 percent from the first quarter of 2009, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported today.
BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reports average fares based on domestic itinerary fares, round-trip or one-way for which no return is purchased. Fares are based on the total ticket value which consists of the price charged by the airlines plus any additional taxes and fees levied by an outside entity at the time of purchase. Fares include only the price paid at the time of the ticket purchase and do not include other fees, such as baggage fees, paid at the airport or onboard the aircraft. Averages do not include frequent-flyer or “zero fares” or a few abnormally high reported fares.
The $328 first-quarter 2010 average fares were down 8.3 percent from the all-time high, not inflation-adjusted, of $358 in the third quarter of 2008. Adjusted for inflation, first-quarter 2010 fares were down 25.0 percent from 1999, the inflation-adjusted high for any first-quarter since 1995. The first quarter 2010 average fares were up 8.9 percent from the post-9/11 fourth-quarter low of $301.39 in 2005. BTS air fare records reach back to 1995.
Air fares in the first quarter of 2010 declined 5.6 percent since the first quarter of 2001, compared to an overall increase in consumer prices of 23.5 percent during that period. In the 15 years from 1995, the first year of BTS records, air fares rose 10.5 percent compared to a 43.7 percent inflation rate. In 1995 dollars, the average air fare in the first quarter of 2010 was $228, compared to $297 in 1995 and $301 in 2000.
See BTS July Air Fare Release for summary tables and additional data. BTS air fare records reach back to 1995. See BTS Air Fare web page for historic data.
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You are subscribed to DOT News for Department of Transportation. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces Second National Distracted Driving Summit[ Jul 27, 2010 11:27 ] DOT 147-10
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Contact: Olivia Alair
Tel: 202-366-4570
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces Second National Distracted Driving Summit
WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced that the second National Distracted Driving Summit will be held on September 21, 2010, in Washington, DC. To build on the growing momentum sparked by the first summit last fall, Secretary LaHood will convene leading transportation officials, safety advocates, law enforcement, industry representatives, researchers, and victims affected by distraction-related crashes to address challenges and identify opportunities for national anti-distracted driving efforts.
“Working together, we can put an end to the thousands of needless deaths and injuries caused by distracted driving each year,” said Secretary LaHood. “By getting the best minds together, I believe we can figure out how to get people to put down their phones and pay attention to the road.”
Last fall, Secretary LaHood sparked a national conversation on distracted driving when he held a Distracted Driving Summit in Washington, DC. The Obama Administration immediately committed to lead by example, by enacting an Executive Order banning all text messaging by four million federal employees while they’re driving government-owned vehicles, while driving any vehicle on official government business, or using mobile devices issued by the government while behind the wheel. Secretary LaHood also taped a national PSA and launched a new government website – www.distraction.gov – to provide the public with a comprehensive resource about how to get involved.
At this year’s event, experts from around the country will explore accomplishments since our first summit, as well as the many challenges that lie ahead. Key topics will include research, technology, policy, public outreach, and best practices in enforcement.
In the year since Secretary LaHood convened the first Distracted Driving Summit, efforts to curb distracted driving have grown exponentially. Dozens of state and local governments have enacted anti-distracted driving legislation and the federal government has established texting bans for commercial truck and bus drivers. The Department of Transportation helped victims establish a national non-profit advocacy organization called FocusDriven and launched pilot law enforcement campaigns in Hartford, CT and Syracuse, NY.
Research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that in 2008, nearly 6,000 people died and more than half a million were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver. More than 20 percent of all crashes that same year involved some type of distraction.
To learn more and get involved in the DOT’s efforts to stop distracted driving, please visit www.distraction.gov. Additional details will be released as they become available at www.distraction.gov/2010summit.
You are subscribed to DOT News for Department of Transportation. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. DOT Fines Comair for Violations of Denied Boarding Compensation Rules[ Jul 26, 2010 16:16 ] DOT 146-10
Monday, July 26, 2010
Contact: Bill Mosley
Tel.: (202) 366-4570
DOT Fines Comair for Violations of Denied Boarding Compensation Rules
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today assessed a civil penalty against Comair for violating federal rules regarding passengers denied boarding (“bumped”) on oversold flights. Comair and affiliated carriers were ordered to cease and desist from further violations and Comair will pay a civil penalty of $275,000.
“Our bumping rules are designed to protect passengers when airlines overbook a flight,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We expect carriers to comply with these rules and will take enforcement action when they do not.”
When a flight is oversold, DOT regulations require airlines to seek volunteers willing to give up their seats for compensation. If not enough volunteers can be found and the carrier must bump passengers involuntarily, the carrier is required to give bumped passengers a written statement describing their rights and explaining how it decides who will be bumped from an oversold flight. In most cases, passengers bumped involuntarily also are entitled to cash compensation of up to $800. This past June, the Department proposed raising the maximum denied boarding compensation to $1,300 and tying future increases to inflation.
The Department’s Aviation Enforcement Office began an investigation of Comair’s compliance with the bumping rules following a number of complaints filed by consumers with DOT. The investigation involved a review of bumping complaints sent to Comair by consumers, as well as an inspection at the carrier’s headquarters of its consumer complaint records and its policies and practices for oversold flights. The investigation revealed numerous cases in which Comair failed to solicit volunteers to leave overbooked flights and provide passengers with the appropriate denied boarding compensation. The Aviation Enforcement Office also found that Comair had filed inaccurate reports with DOT on the number of passengers involuntarily denied boarding.
The consent order is available on the Internet at www.regulations.gov, docket DOT-OST-2010-0005. A summary of the oversales rules is available at http://airconsumer.dot.gov/publications/flyrights.htm#overbooking.
-END-
You are subscribed to DOT News for Department of Transportation. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood Announces Expanded Internship Program to Get More Women Working in Transportation[ Jul 26, 2010 11:47 ] DOT 145-10
Monday, July 26, 2010
Contact: Olivia Alair
Tel: 202-366- 4570
U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood Announces Expanded Internship Program to Get More Women Working in Transportation
U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced the expansion of an internship program designed to encourage young women to pursue careers in transportation. Secretary LaHood made the announcement at a Women’s Small Business Day hosted by the Department of Transportation (DOT).
“Women are an essential part of today’s labor force, yet women are underrepresented in the transportation industry,” said Secretary LaHood. “We’re saying to all the college women out there – no matter where you’re enrolled, there’s a DOT Small Business Transportation Resource Center close by to help you plug into your dream job, whether it’s an airport, an engineering or aerospace firm, a railroad, a transit agency or perhaps one of our DOT offices.”
The internship program will expand from one to ten regions of the country, enabling young women from colleges and universities across the country to participate. It will be administered through the Department’s 11 Small Business Transportation Resource Centers. These Centers, spread throughout the nation, provide resources, technical assistance and outreach to all 50 states and U.S. territories. Each Center will be responsible for placing qualified female college students in transportation related internships in their regions.
The expanded program, based on a successful pilot with Spelman College that Secretary LaHood announced in 2009, is part of a broader effort by the Department of Transportation to create a pipeline of younger women coming into the transportation workforce.
“We are excited about expanding a great program that will introduce young women to transportation careers nationwide,” said Office of Small and Disadvantage Business Utilization Director Brandon Neal. “It is our goal to assist as many women as possible and continue to be the training ground for future small business owners.”
In May 2010, Secretary LaHood also signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Women’s Transportation Seminar International to engage women at the juncture when they’re beginning to think seriously about their futures and inspire them to pursue careers in transportation by completing undergraduate and graduate degrees in science, technology, engineering and math. The aim is to attract and retain a new generation of women in transportation professions.
The Women’s Small Business Day at the Department of Transportation enabled small business specialists from all of the department’s operating administrations to meet with the small business owners in attendance.
The program is one of several internships and fellowship programs offered through the U.S. Department of Transportation for both high school and college age girls. The expanded effort supports President Obama’s mission and the work of the White House Council on Women and Girls.
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You are subscribed to DOT News for Department of Transportation. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. FTA Study: $77.7 Billion Needed to Bring Nationâs Rail and Bus Transit Systems into âState of Good Repairâ[ Jul 21, 2010 12:24 ] FTA 22-10
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Contact: Paul Griffo
Tel: 202-366-4064
FTA Study: $77.7 Billion Needed to Bring Nation’s Rail and Bus Transit Systems into ‘State of Good Repair’
2010 Review Expands Upon Earlier Survey; Provides More Complete Assessment of Repair Backlog of Nation’s Transit Systems
A Federal Transit Administration (FTA) study released today estimates the cost of bringing the nation’s rail and bus transit systems into a state of good repair at $77.7 billion. In addition, a yearly average of $14.4 billion would be required to maintain the systems.
FTA’s National State of Good Repair Assessment Study, requested by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood as a follow-up to the 2009 Rail Modernization Study report to Congress, provides a comprehensive analysis of the costs required to bring the nation’s rail and bus transit systems into good operating order. The 2010 study released today is based on data provided by 36 additional rail and bus operators in both rural and urban areas.
“Transit remains one of the safest forms of transportation, but this report shows the clear need to reinvest in our bus, subway and light rail systems,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “As a nation, we must lead when it comes to infrastructure development and commit ourselves to rebuilding America.”
“Investment in the nation’s transit infrastructure is important to a healthy economy and most importantly, the safety and well-being of our riders,” stated Administrator Peter Rogoff. “For millions of Americans, having a safe and reliable transit system is the difference between seeing their children before bed or not, making it to work on time or arriving late, or getting to a doctor’s appointment or forgoing it.”
While most of the $77.7 billion backlog can be attributed to rail, more than 40 percent of the nation’s buses are also in poor to marginal condition.
“State of Good Repair” for the country’s transportation network is one of the five system-wide goals included in Secretary LaHood’s proposed Strategic Plan for the Department of Transportation. The assessment is available online at http://www.fta.dot.gov/news/news_events_11865.html .
In April, Administrator Rogoff announced the availability of $775 million through a competitive State of Good Repair funding program that will invest in the nation’s bus and bus facilities. A review of transit agency project applications is now underway at FTA and will be announced later this year.
The FTA has received approximately 400 project applications and more than $4.2 billion in requests for the $775 million.
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You are subscribed to DOT News for Department of Transportation. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Department of Transportation DOT News Update[ Jul 20, 2010 16:15 ] You are subscribed to DOT News for Department of Transportation. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.
DOT 140-10
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Contact: Bill Mosley
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DOT Approves oneworld Antitrust Immunity Application
The U.S. Department of Transportation today granted antitrust immunity to American Airlines and four international partners in “oneworld” to form an integrated global alliance, but also imposed several conditions that will protect consumers and preserve competition. Today’s action makes final the Department’s tentative decision of Feb. 13.
As a result of the Department’s action, American and its oneworld alliance partners British Airways, Iberia Airlines, Finnair and Royal Jordanian Airlines will be able to more closely coordinate international services.
The Department found that granting antitrust immunity to the oneworld alliance will provide travelers and shippers with a variety of benefits, including lower fares in some markets, new nonstop routes, improved services and better schedules. The Department also said that the alliance will enhance competition around the world by enabling the oneworld alliance to compete more vigorously with Star Alliance and SkyTeam, which operate similar immunized alliances.
While the Department found that the alliance, on balance, was pro-competitive, it noted that the alliance could harm competition on select routes between the United States and London’s Heathrow Airport, a major hub for oneworld, where the availability of landing and takeoff slots is limited. To remedy this potential problem, the Department required the applicants to make four pairs of slots at Heathrow available to competitors for new U.S.-London service, with two pairs to be used for Boston-London service and the other two for service from any other U.S. cities.
The Department also required changes to the alliance to ensure capacity growth, and required the carriers to submit traffic data and to implement the proposed alliance within 18 months. The carriers also must resubmit the alliance agreements for review within five years.
Today’s decision, the show-cause order, and other documents in the case are available on the Internet at www.regulations.gov, docket DOT-OST-2008-0252.
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