Fare-Free Phila

PA governor doing the dirty work of frackers and oil-industry

2012-01-31T08:52:00.001-05:00

How is Pennsylvania supposed to attract investment if public transit has collapsed and our deteriorating roads are clogged with commuters forced to drive to work?

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12031/1207111-153-0.stm#ixzz1l2lVgsmH

Congress Will PAY YOU to Avoid Public Transit in 201 | InvestorPlace

2012-01-27T21:05:00.000-05:00

Congress Will PAY YOU to Avoid Public Transit in 201 | InvestorPlace: "That’s right. You get twice as much of a write-off to drive to work instead of taking the bus. Read the details at the University of South Florida’s National Center for Transit Research.

You may pass go. Advance your token to free parking. Thanks for playing."

'via Blog this'

Occupy Delwaware #occupy

2012-01-17T02:25:00.000-05:00

Webite Facebook Group

Do you assume your highway will not collapse? Stop assuming.

2012-01-15T04:59:00.000-05:00

Gov. Corbett to roll out transportation plan by Feb. 7: "The proposal is likely to fall short of the recommendations of the governor's Transportation Funding Advisory Commission, which presented a plan in August to raise up to $2.5 billion in new annual revenue for roads, bridges and public transit."

'via Blog this'

Less congestion, not more, with bike lanes

2011-12-11T13:40:00.001-05:00

Bike lanes give a more open feeling to crowded shopping areas.

Occupy Vacant Lots – off to a start! | Transition Philadelphia

2011-12-10T03:21:00.000-05:00

Occupy Vacant Lots – off to a start! | Transition Philadelphia: "Abandoned lots that serve only as neglected and dangerous dumping grounds for trash could, instead, serve to grow healthy food and be a center for community. Actions of stewardship could empower, strengthen, and stabilize communities. "

'via Blog this'

#occupyphilly still going strong

2011-12-03T15:40:00.001-05:00

The economic collapse is just getting started. The occupy movement is very clear on who is to blame and how to fight back. The wall street bankers have crashed the financial system, have been bailed out by the taxpayer, and now want us to give up our pensions and homes to enrich them even more. There is much more crash to come, and many more bailouts to come. The time to fight back is now. Soon there will be national economic martial law. It is already happening in Michigan.

Unaccountably, this stone is still standing. Occupy is set up near by to protect it.

No room at the Inn for the homeless

2011-11-27T19:39:00.001-05:00

Homeless retreat from threatened eviction of #occupyphilly but not welcome in "Christian" Philly either.

#occupyphilly is the voice of the 99%

2011-11-27T10:33:00.001-05:00

Foreclosure notice issued to predators (video)

How to identify trolls on #agw, #1u, and #occupyphilly

2011-11-22T20:39:00.001-05:00

In the #occupywallstreet campaign, and #climatechange struggle, we are plagued by provocateurs and agents of oil and the 1% which attack from the outside and from within. Here are some tips on how to identify them.

high tweet/follower ratio on twitter (amazingly useful metric)
super-radical terminology with confusing array of targets
insistence on moral absolutes, one must be for/against x
focus on divisions in the 99%
focus on any path (money, law, celebrities) except mass unity
obsession with corporate media coverage
focus on conspiracy or implying explosive hidden truth
asserting belief required for understanding
asking for money (unless homeless, then give)
saying "I support your cause, but..." (if they really support, it's their cause)
always criticizing 99% leadership or persistently negative
ad hominem attacks, or scatology (to make new people give up in disgust)
generalized misanthropy - "all people are greedy," "all politicians are crooks"
claiming all the answers are in one document or candidate
blaming government for everything
never directing comments against the banks or oil industry

These characteristics apply to both internal and external trolls. Use common sense and trust your instincts. There are always honest people who are misled and temporarily fall for scams. Some are just people trying to sell something. Just keep shining daylight on the subject and the trolls will scatter.

Society Hill Home Owners Occupy Bike Lanes All Weekend Long, City Does Nothing « Streets Dept

2011-11-20T13:19:00.000-05:00

Society Hill Home Owners Occupy Bike Lanes All Weekend Long, City Does Nothing « Streets Dept: "Walking around Society Hill Saturday afternoon, I noticed what we’ve all noticed a million times, home owners blocking the Spruce and Pine street bike lanes with their cars. This happens EVERY Saturday and Sunday, and honestly I thought nothing of it, until I started noticing that NONE of the 15 or so illegally parked cars I saw had a ticket. This lead me to an interesting thought. If the city is kicking out Occupy Philly protesters from Dilworth Plaza, why isn’t the city, at the very least, ticketing people for blocking the roadway in Society Hill? Let’s think about it…"

photos and story: http://streetsdept.com/2011/11/20/society-hill-home-owners-occupy-bike-lanes-all-weekend-long-city-does-nothing

'via Blog this'

Live near public #transit -- save $thousands

2011-11-15T20:46:00.001-05:00

Penn State Berks should run a shuttle bus to downtown Reading - bctv.org - News for Berks County and Reading, Pa: Opinion

2011-11-07T02:55:00.000-05:00

Penn State Berks should run a shuttle bus to downtown Reading - bctv.org - News for Berks County and Reading, Pa: Opinion: "Berks could provide a shuttle service that would simply go between campus and BTC. It would be one bus, and one driver on an eight-hour shift. The smartest way to distribute these eight hours would be to split it into two, having four hours in the morning from 8 a.m.-noon, and then four hours in the afternoon from 4 p.m.-8 p.m. These hours could of course be adjusted based on what times would end up being the most beneficial.
This type of service would not only benefit students who take the bus, but students who get a ride and also some who drive themselves.
Anyone who lives moderately close to the BARTA hub could simply take the shuttle instead of driving themselves. For other students who drive, it could be beneficial in a situation where geographically they pass close to the vicinity of the bus hub; they park their car close to the hub and jump on the shuttle for the rest of the trip."

'via Blog this'

Gettysburg buses free - Evening Sun

2011-11-03T20:25:00.000-04:00

Gettysburg buses free - Evening Sun: "Gettysburg will soon join only a handful of other U.S. towns to offer free public transportation.

The Freedom Transit bus system will be free to all riders beginning Nov. 11 to coincide with the Community Appreciation Day held at the Gettysburg Museum & Visitor Center."

'via Blog this'

#occupy groups around the area

2011-11-02T22:08:00.001-04:00

http://www.occupyphillymedia.org/content/occupy-pennsylvania-tour

The Times Herald - Occupy Norristown group plans a Saturday, Nov. 5 rally at Montgomery County Courthouse

2011-10-31T21:50:00.001-04:00

https://www.facebook.com/OccupyNorristown

The Times Herald - Occupy Norristown group plans a Saturday, Nov. 5 rally at Montgomery County Courthouse: "NORRISTOWN — A group of 15 Occupy Norristown protesters voted to hold its first official rally on Saturday, Nov. 5 at Montgomery County Courthouse."

Democratic Party afraid of class war, surrendering

2011-10-31T02:28:00.000-04:00

The Washington Monthly - Ten Miles Square - Democrats Wrong To Play Defense On Class Warfare: "In response, the Democrats have taken every chance presented to them to once again go on defense by rejecting the allegation. By so doing, they are completely forgoing the opportunity to acknowledge that there is most assuredly such a war, it’s been raging for decades, and it’s high time that people begin to focus on who is on the side of the rich and who is on the side of the middle class and the poor."

'via Blog this'

End-the-Silence March Saturday (bring umbrella)

2011-10-26T14:34:00.000-04:00

End the Silence March: "We will be silently marching to Temple University this Saturday, and their guest speaker is Bill Clinton. We will be walking to the public event to stand up for those in the 99% whose voices have been silenced by the politicians in our failing political system.

We are fighting for those who have lost a their job from NAFTA, fighting for equality and rights in the Poor, LGBTQ, Women's, working communities. We want to break down all racial and socio-economic barriers, and fight for our common goal.

We want to have large signs that have one or two word phrases such as; Health Care, Education, Equality, and so forth. Then we want to cover our mouths with those same phrases OR Corporate Logos.

LETS MAKE THIS OUR DAY!
Occupy Philadelphia!"

'via Blog this'

In return for going green, free SEPTA tokens to be offered Wednesday : The Temple News

2011-10-24T20:59:00.000-04:00

In return for going green, free SEPTA tokens to be offered Wednesday : The Temple News: "Temple Student Government will be giving away 50 free SEPTA tokens on Wednesday, Oct. 26, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., in an effort to promote the use of public transportation, as well as recycling and water refill stations on campus, in honor of Sustainability Week."

'via Blog this'

Under pressure to make arrests, police and troopers push back - Times Union

2011-10-24T17:59:00.000-04:00

Under pressure to make arrests, police and troopers push back - Times Union: "ALBANY -- In a tense battle of wills, state troopers and Albany police held off making arrests of dozens of protesters near the Capitol over the weekend even as Albany's mayor, under pressure from Gov. Andrew Cuomo's administration, had urged his police chief to enforce a city curfew."

'via Blog this'

Careerism and a cause.

2011-10-23T16:42:00.000-04:00

A wannabe movie maker strongly encouraged some people to block a busy city street with 15 people as a protest against police brutality. These fifteen would have easily fit on the sidewalk. The city held off as long as possible, then was forced to arrest them. Their numbers were so small that their right to free speech did not require blocking the whole street.

This action was NOT approved in the GA of #occupyphilly. And Occupy Philly sources who talked to the press strongly confirmed this.

The corporate press and assorted trolls jumped on the story and it even was on livestream as the first Occupy Philly arrests. The group did nothing to disabuse anyone of this misconception and even released a statement of demands to the press.

We wish the movie maker success in his career. But respectfully ask him not to blur the lines between his stunts and legitimate protest.

People arrested on 8th Street NOT from Occupy Philly #ows

2011-10-23T13:03:00.000-04:00

Metro - Occupy Philly Members Protest Outside 8th Street Police Headquarters, Release Statement: "Occupy Philly stresses that the protestors are individuals and do not represent the movement as a whole, but provided them with food, a medical watch and blankets to weather a chilly night.

8th Street participants released a statement and list of demands this morning. According to the group's Facebook, the statement does not speak for the Occupy Philly's General Assembly or for the movement as a whole."

'via Blog this'

Small group trying to smear #occupyphilly

2011-10-23T10:13:00.001-04:00

Media waiting to pounce as small group claiming to be #occupyphilly tries to provoke police at 8th and Race streets. This action can only help the banks and provide plenty of material to smear and trash #occupyphilly. Wake up people. Denounce this group.

#occupyphilly chases off austerity goon

2011-10-22T02:16:00.000-04:00

Temple University students marching to join Occupy Philly today (Bisola/Lockerz)

Daily Kos: Fearing Occupy Philly, Eric Cantor cancels speech: "Eric Cantor was scheduled to give a speech about the Republican approach to income inequality at the Wharton School of Business in Philadelphia today. Earlier in the week, Cantor's staff said the speech would discuss "how we make sure the people at the top stay there."
However, he cancelled the appearance amid reports that the event would be open to the public, and thus flooded with Occupy Philly protesters:"

'via Blog this'

@Occupyphilly get(s?) econ 101

2011-10-16T20:16:00.000-04:00

Wedding at #occupyphilly

2011-10-15T11:03:00.001-04:00

#occupywallstreet in 72 cities

2011-10-11T20:11:00.005-04:00

Philadelphia

Allentown

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/cities-that-have-joined-the-occupied-movement

People march for economic justice

2011-10-08T18:20:00.004-04:00

#occupyphilly

Imagine there's no cars

2011-10-08T12:00:00.004-04:00

Cherry Street during Night Market

Tenth Street during Night Market

People #occupyphilly to demand economic justice

2011-10-06T21:33:00.000-04:00

Night Market Philly

2011-10-02T19:58:00.002-04:00

http://nightmarketphilly.org/

From farm to table via public transit - Transit Dispatches - METRO Magazine

2011-09-21T19:40:00.000-04:00

From farm to table via public transit - Transit Dispatches - METRO Magazine: "In Philadelphia, where more than 35 percent of the population relies on public transit as its sole means of transportation and about 25 percent of residents live below the poverty level, accessing affordable, fresh and healthy foods is a challenge.

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is working with the City and Philadelphia-based The Food Trust to help make farm fresh fruits and vegetables a staple of Philadelphians’ diets. "

Heather Redfern

Press Relations Officer

Heather Redfern is the press relations officer for the Philadelphia-based Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority.

Gettysburg - buses may go fare-free

2011-09-19T08:35:00.000-04:00

Freedom Transit may very well soon become free.

According to Rabbit Transit Executive Director Rich Farr, the York-based transportation company is in talks with an undisclosed agency to provide resources for Freedom Transit's Lincoln Line to be free for a period of time.

Gettysburg Times

What free #transit could do for Philadelphia

2011-09-18T16:34:00.000-04:00

We would not have an ugly no-man's-land between the city and the Delaware River.

Farmers could come to town and not have to park on the sidewalk.

Even if you never ride public transit. Free transit would improve city life. Even if you don't live in the city you would benefit from the improved productivity.

Keep moving, nothing to see here - climate change is a hoax

2011-09-13T21:18:00.000-04:00

The eastbound Schuylkill Expressway was impassable from the Blue Route to Girard Avenue…

Water punishes Philly area: Floods, damage, traffic - Philly.com: "In the 42 years that Amy Smith has lived in the Washington Crossing area, Thursday marked the first time that she had to leave her house by boat."

'via Blog this'

Climate Change does not spare public transit

2011-09-09T04:23:00.000-04:00

12 SEPTA railcars damaged in Trenton by Hurricane Irene getting repairs - Philly.com: "Twelve of the 16 SEPTA railcars stuck in Trenton during Hurricane Irene will be sidelined for weeks as water damage is repaired, SEPTA officials said Tuesday.

Caught by the unexpected rise of a creek that was "not on our radar screen," SEPTA rail operations managers realized too late that the trains could be in harm's way.

They say they will shuffle cars in SEPTA's 365-car fleet to deal with the shortage created by the missing 12 on the Trenton line."

'via Blog this'

Cars sheltered and protected -- people dumped and abandoned

2011-08-02T20:25:00.000-04:00

Transit ridership demand up, so supply will go up too, right?

2011-07-28T09:35:00.000-04:00

Despite the region's sluggish economy, SEPTA carried more riders in the last 12 months than it had in any of the 22 previous years.

For the fiscal year that ended June 30, SEPTA's buses, subways, trolleys, and trains had about 334 million passengers, up 4 percent from the previous year and the most since 345 million in fiscal 1989.

Have you had enough junk food and junk transportation yet?

2011-07-25T16:56:00.000-04:00

Car crashes into junk-food retailer, ties up traffic for 20 blocks around. How much longer do we want this stupid culture to continue? Let's make transit free in Philly and get rid of the cars at least.

Walkshed Philadelphia | Personal and Precise Walkability Mapping

2011-07-22T03:57:00.000-04:00

Walkshed Philadelphia | Personal and Precise Walkability Mapping: "Walkshed uses an advanced methodology to calculate and map walkability. It is the personal research project of Aaron Ogle, a software developer at Azavea in Philadelphia, PA.

While living in Seattle, Aaron became intrigued by Alan Durning of the Sightline Institute and his concept of a 'walkshed' that would score a location based on the quantity and diversity of amenities within a one-mile radius. A year later, Walk Score, which drew heavily from Durning's walkshed concept, became the first application to calculate walkability. Walk Score is a fantastic application with a clever methodology but it also has a number of acknowledged limitations.

Aaron wondered if improvements were possible. So as part of Azavea's 10% research project program, he has developed Walkshed Philadelphia and now Walkshed NY to demonstrate that it is possible to more accurately calculate and map walkability."

Must Love SEPTA: Car-Free in Philadelphia

2011-07-04T10:33:00.000-04:00

Must Love SEPTA: Car-Free in Philadelphia: "Philadelphia is lucky to have the transit corridors it already has. They've made the kind of density we enjoy (or at least some of us enjoy) possible. Few cities have demonstrated the courage to build mass transit corridors with a future like Philadelphia in mind.
That's why I may never ever leave. "

Public Transportation - How you can help - cazort.net

2011-07-03T21:16:00.000-04:00

Public Transportation: There are a number of ways you can become involved in public transportation:

Become Familiar with Local Systems - Even if you don't frequently use your local transit system, knowing a little bit about how it works can help you answer questions and assist others who may want to use it.

Use It - As more people use public transportation, demand will increase and the level of funding and service will increase.

Promote It - Speak positively about public transportation. Buy and display gear and branding of your local transit agency.

Write and Talk to Key People - By making known to politicians and local business leaders that you value public transportation, you can help increase the public image of transit systems, and make people more likely to provide support.

Start a Parternship with a Transit Agency - If you hold a position of power or influence, you might benefit both a transit agency and your own organization by partnering with them. Examples of partnerships include colleges or universities providing some funding to the transit agency, in exchange for free passes for students, faculty and staff, or influence over the routes and schedules. Some businesses offer a program where one can buy monthly transit passes and have the cost deducted from your paycheck--this generates tax savings.

What does it mean when auto drivers honk because of irritation?

2011-06-30T20:43:00.003-04:00

Imagine that you were irritated about something, would you go to everyone within a 500 meter spherical radius and whine loudly?

Think about it. That is exactly what auto drivers are doing when they honk the horn because of some irritation.

Homes for cars, but not for people

2011-06-12T11:05:00.000-04:00

US, PA, not broke - just haven't collected the taxes

2011-05-12T11:35:00.000-04:00

Large corporations are making record profits, paying out huge bonuses, and not paying any taxes. Many are getting gifts of taxpayer funds. Many were completely bailed out by the taxpayer and should not even be in business. Conservatives say that it's OK to have the Corporations on welfare because they provide jobs, and if they had to pay taxes they would pass-through that expense in prices. That is not true. Prices are set by the market, not by the amount of expenses. If a company cannot pay for the civil society sea in which it swims, then its business plan is unsustainable and it should drown.

If you would like to do something about this: http://www.usuncut.org/

Let's double the parking tax and get more buses

2011-05-10T18:47:00.000-04:00

There is a campaign to roll back the parking tax. We say, double it and give the money for more and better bus service.

LCTA is all ‘pump’ed up by an increase in ridership | The Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre & Scranton PA

2011-05-01T05:10:00.000-04:00

These riders get ready to board an LCTA bus at the intermodal center with more people opting for mass transit due to gas costs.

Pete G. Wilcox/The Times Leader

LCTA is all ‘pump’ed up by an increase in ridership | The Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre & Scranton PA: "According to ridership reports from the Luzerne County Transportation Authority, there were 4.7 percent more people riding county buses in the first three months of 2011 than in the first three months of 2010."

Driver Sought In Deadly Montgomery County Hit And Run On Township Line Road « CBS Philly

2011-04-28T19:05:00.000-04:00

Driver Sought In Deadly Montgomery County Hit And Run On Township Line Road « CBS Philly: "UPPER PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP, Pa. (CBS) – Police are searching for the driver who fled the scene after fatally striking a pedestrian in Montgomery County Wednesday afternoon."

The victim was walking because she had lost her job and had moved back in with parents. She did not drive because she had a disability and did not want to endanger others. When we we wake up an realize that the auto-sprawl system simply does not work.

No money for SEPTA? Here is why.

2011-04-22T14:11:00.000-04:00

Uncut Facebook

Courageous people of Libya undoing the damage of US Autosprawl

2011-04-17T01:24:00.000-04:00

Time to admit that car-dependency is a bad idea.

2011-03-28T18:41:00.000-04:00

Having a car-dependent society means that all kinds of people will be driving under all kinds of conditions. People under stress, disoriented, emotional, etc. It is easy to say "people should be responsible," but where do you draw the line? Taking that bumper-sticker thinking to its logical conclusion, we should not waste money on stop signs or traffic signals.
Instead, why not just design a system that is safe for humans under a larger range of circumstances? For example: make public transit free, plant gardens of vegetables and flowers in every other street, and abolish the private auto.

Driving into the city -- to see flowers

2011-03-13T22:03:00.000-04:00

The flower show is a time of irony. Honking horns, parking mania. Big, stinking, flora-killing vehicles descending on the city. Acres of paved-over paradise to speed the journey. The self-satisfied suburbanites pop out and scamper to the show. The beautiful flowers are locked and guarded behind cement. Heaven forbid the homeless might get to see them. Then, for the return home, the beast-vehicle is retrieved from its temporary cement cave. Home it speeds, home to low-tax, good-school, sprawl heaven.

Yo, people. You can keep living in subsidized sprawl-ville. But please stop voting against public transit. We are tired of supporting your wasteful lifestyle. We would like to make the whole city a garden and take the flowers out from behind the locked doors and the extra police protection.

CATA may go fare free - Local | Centre Daily Times - State College, PA | Penn State, Nittany Lions, weather, news, jobs, homes, apartments, real estate

2011-03-08T21:14:00.000-05:00

A rider boards a CATA bus along College Avenue. CDT/Christopher Weddle

CATA may go fare free - Local | Centre Daily Times - State College, PA | Penn State, Nittany Lions, weather, news, jobs, homes, apartments, real estate: "A state-funded study set to start later this year will analyze the universal access concept, which allows mass transit users to ride without paying a fare at that time.

While the “U-pass” system often targets student populations, the study also will analyze a scenario for broader Centre Area Transportation Authority bus riders."

Still own beach property?

2011-02-27T20:11:00.000-05:00

Debate rises on saving N.C.'s eroding beaches - Health/Science - NewsObserver.com: "Kids splashed last summer in the waves under an oceanfront row of cottages on the eroding south end. Huge sandbags fortified pilings, the steps of condemned houses dangling above the sand.

'We wanted close to the beach, and that's exactly what we got,' vacationer Rod Daugherty of Greenville, Pa., said as the tide lapped under the deck of his rental house."

People take over 10th Street for New Year Celebration

2011-02-06T18:41:00.001-05:00

Reasons to give up your car: #8 - support local business

2011-02-05T00:25:00.000-05:00

Small shops in town centres depend on passing pedestrians, but from the 1960s onwards there has been a move to create out-of-town supermarkets and retail parks. Britain has lost 30,000 independent grocery stores between 1995 and 2005 (pdf). I’ve got about three of them on my own street. If your high street is a ghost town of pound stores and charity shops, you know what car culture can do to town centres."
Ten reasons to give up your car « Make Wealth History: "8. Support local business

Local food, beautiful town. De-pave.

2011-01-31T20:40:00.000-05:00

Depaving Day! from Streetfilms on Vimeo.

micro urban: Dollar value of walkability

2011-01-23T08:19:00.000-05:00

micro urban: "Economic Analysis of Walkability
http://www.ceosforcities.org/files/WalkingTheWalk_CEOsforCities.pdf
Each WalkScore point can add $1,000s in value of a house in some cities, even after factoring out other variables. Even in our auto-centric country, demand for walkable urbanism is under-met."

What if we stop all the waste and pollution for nothing?

2011-01-20T20:00:00.000-05:00

http://climatecrocks.com/

State College, PA - CATA Study to Explore Fare-Free Rider Access

2011-01-19T02:07:00.000-05:00

State College, PA - CATA Study to Explore Fare-Free Rider Access: "CATA will soon study the feasibility of making its entire bus system fare-free for all riders, the public-transit agency confirmed.

The state Department of Transportation has awarded the Centre Area Transportation Authority a $100,000 grant to investigate the idea formally, CATA transit planner Greg Kausch said. He said the study, funded through PennDOT's Pennsylvania Community Transportation Initiative, is expected to last 18 to 24 months."

Greenworks Philadelphia: Reducing automobile traffic

2011-01-15T19:20:00.000-05:00

One Perfect Day Aboard Amtrak

2011-01-04T19:07:00.000-05:00

One Perfect Day Aboard Amtrak: "With a shared love of rail travel, it seemed only natural to plan a honeymoon by train. We even took a train from our wedding to the hotel where we spent our wedding night. Our honeymoon spanned most of the nation, with travel on several of Amtrak's routes including the Coast Starlight, Empire Builder, and Lake Shore Limited. The train turned out be a perfect way to honeymoon. Our sleeper car was a perfect private getaway, and the motion of the train and the whistle only added to the romance. When we ventured out we enjoyed the lounge car, wine tastings, a film in the movie theater,and delicious meals in the dining car."

Consumer products will not solve the problem. Consumer products ARE the problem

2010-12-29T19:50:00.000-05:00

Solar Panels Could Pose Dangers to the Environment | Pays to Live Green: "Solar Energy is one of the top emerging renewable energy sources that could relieve us of our dependency on dirty energy sources like coal and dangerous energy sources like nuclear. Even with it’s many positives, solar energy has a major drawback that could cause some harm to our environment. Solar energy itself is not dangerous nor is the process of solar panels converting the sun’s light into energy. The biggest problem is in the production and disposal of the solar panels."

Ready for holiday drivers? Take the train.

2010-12-23T01:44:00.000-05:00

Johanna James Allstate Insurance Company: "Do you still think you can dodge the drunk driving bullet? Drunk driving facts do not lie. Do what you can to avoid becoming a statistic."

Cliff Lee's family leaving Arlington so they can go places | Bud Kennedy | Fort Worth, Arling...

2010-12-22T00:17:00.000-05:00

Cliff Lee's family leaving Arlington so they can go places | Bud Kennedy | Fort Worth, Arling...: "We finally found the hero to deliver public transit to Arlington.

Unfortunately, Kristen Lee and her husband, Cliff, gave up and moved to Philadelphia.

Of all the words written after the Texas Rangers' playoff ace turned down a new contract, the most jarring might have come from his wife, like Lee a native of Benton, Ark.

She prefers Philadelphia for the cultural opportunities and the dining, she said.

But mostly -- she really likes the trains."

SEPTA misses another Silverliner V deadline | PlanPhilly: Planning Philadelphia's Future

2010-12-16T21:42:00.000-05:00

SEPTA misses another Silverliner V deadline | PlanPhilly: Planning Philadelphia's Future: "Separately, SEPTA CFO and treasurer Richard Burnfield told a SEPTA Board meeting on Thursday that ridership was up 4 percent last month from the previous year"

PennDOT: Older driver deaths on rise - timesherald.com

2010-12-13T21:01:00.000-05:00

PennDOT: Older driver deaths on rise - timesherald.com: "UPPER MERION – Though traffic fatality reports often focus on teenagers, the number of crash deaths involving older drivers is on the rise in Pennsylvania, and PennDOT believes it’s essential aging drivers and their families talk frankly about the right time to turn over the car keys for good for safety’s sake.

About 16 percent of Pennsylvania’s 8.7 million licensed drivers are 65 and older, and state statistics predict that number will increase to 21 percent by 2020, according to PennDOT.

In 2009, there were more than 16,700 crashes involving a driver 65 and up, resulting in 276 fatalities. This represents 14 percent of the total crashes in the state and 22 percent of the fatalities, an increase from previous years."

Anti-tax foolishness is nonsensical

2010-12-05T19:20:00.004-05:00

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - myspace.com/unicycleintransit: "I am tired of Republican intransigence on taxes. They vote as a block, and will not even consider any discussion of a new tax or a hike in a tax, no matter how small, and no matter what good it might do. In particular, if Governor Rendell suggests it, they respond as one with a resounding rejection of the proposal. They will fight you to the death to prove to you that 2+2=5. This is lunacy. We are talking about solutions to both the highway and bridge problem, and the transit problem. Permanent solutions. Remember what I said at the top? This argument goes on year after year? This is why. A proper fix to the problem comes along, and no matter how much sense it might make, since it's a tax, the answer is no.

The highway fix involves a fuel tax of maybe four cents a gallon. C'mon, four cents a gallon isn't even chickenfeed. Gasoline flips up and down 40 cents a gallon in any given month and you accept that. You spend four cents in gasoline driving around a parking lot to find a good space. Objections to that tax are groundless. They need to stop."

More from this author

Carfree Times: September 2010 - Carfree neighborhood proposed for Philadelphia

2010-11-27T20:42:00.000-05:00

Carfree Times: September 2010: "Gaslight Village is a proposed mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented, urban village on the site of a former gas works on the east bank of Philadelphia's Schuylkill River. When completed, it will be home to some 4,000 families."

Mann: A Changing Climate Doesn’t Have a Political Agenda | Universe Today

2010-11-10T03:48:00.001-05:00

Mann: A Changing Climate Doesn’t Have a Political Agenda | Universe Today: "“We have to make it clear that the ice sheets are not Republicans or Democrats – they don’t have a political agenda as they disappear,” said Michael Mann, a physicist at Pennsylvania State University, who has been at the recent forefront of climate research. “Certain facts cannot be denied. We have to find a way to steer the conversation to a good faith debate about what we can do about the problem, not this bad faith debate about the reality of it.”"

Transit cuts loom in Pittsburgh - thegabber.org

2010-11-06T10:51:00.000-04:00

Transit cuts loom in Pittsburgh - thegabber.org: "the interests of poor and working people were prioritized, the local and state government would tax the rich, banks, and corporations. If the federal government wanted to meet human needs, it would help cities and states fund socially useful programs rather than spending money on wars and bailouts.

...Everyone deserves access to efficient, free public transportation, but as long as the state serves the capitalists, poor and working people need to organize to win and defend this right.

More Transit = More Jobs

2010-09-11T08:53:00.001-04:00

Transportation For America � TEN’s “More Transit = More Jobs” report reveals transit’s job-creation potential: "TEN outlined how a significant shift in federal transportation funds from highways to public transit — without spending more money overall — would impact 20 metropolitan areas in the United States. Each city surveyed would gain thousands of jobs from such a shift, an important indicator when nearly 1 out of every ten Americans is out of work. TEN’s proposal would not add a penny to deficit because it simply shifts existing revenues into broader transportation options."

Free summer trolley in Wildwood

2010-08-27T19:47:00.000-04:00

Wildwood Attractions, The Wildwoods, NJ: "The Wildwood Business Improvement District is offering a FREE trolley service for the downtown area every Thursday through Sunday all summer long. 'Dolly the Trolley' will run from 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. on Atlantic and Pacific Avenues. Clearly marked 'Dolly' stops will be located along the route which extends the entire length of Wildwood from 26th to Cresse Avenues. For additional information, please call 609-523-1602."

Greenland glacier calves island 4 times the size of Manhattan, UD scientist reports

2010-08-06T22:36:00.000-04:00

Greenland glacier calves island 4 times the size of Manhattan, UD scientist reports: "“In the early morning hours of August 5, 2010, an ice island four times the size of Manhattan was born in northern Greenland,” said Andreas Muenchow, associate professor of physical ocean science and engineering at the University of Delaware's College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment. Muenchow's research in Nares Strait, between Greenland and Canada, is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF)."

Mainstream media propagating lies about science

2010-08-01T19:27:00.001-04:00

http://renegadeconservatoryguy.co.uk/global-warming-the-debate/
read more here...

Different cars are still cars

2010-07-27T13:32:00.000-04:00

A different type of car is not the answer, cars are not the answer. We need to fully fund public transportation and eliminate user fees to get people to use it widely.
Fully funding public transportation is the ONLY way we can give every single person the means to get to work, to school, to fun, to appointments, to recreation.
As I’ve said before, we should invest in excellent public transportation that is:

Fast
Free (to the user)
Predictable (schedules available at all stops and on phones)
Attractive / Beautiful
Clean
Frequent (always less than a ten minute wait)
Everywhere (less than a ten minute walk from most locations)
Efficient (Local and Express)
Resourceful (should maximize options of local terrain. Pittsburgh for example could use streetcars, along side ferries and the incline to take advantage of our rivers and hills)
and has the right of way against all other modes of travel.

Read more at Reimagine and Urban Paradise

Sixth heat wave - 11 dead - It is time to do something about climate

2010-07-23T15:38:00.000-04:00

The Philadelphia area is now in the midst of its sixth heat wave of the season.
The National Weather Service recorded a temperature of 91 degrees before noon at the Philadelphia International Airport.
A heat wave is three days in a row of temperatures of 90 and above. Philly.com

Rendell makes case for action on transportation | AP | 07/21/2010

2010-07-21T19:06:00.000-04:00

Rendell makes case for action on transportation | AP | 07/21/2010: "HARRISBURG - Gov. Rendell is trying to drive home the dire condition of Pennsylvania's highways, bridges and mass transit systems.

Rendell testified before the state Senate Transportation Committee today, and blitzed committee members with photos of deteriorating bridges and highways in their districts.

He warned them that those problems will not get fixed without new money, and said that failure to act in the next couple months would mean missing next summer's construction season, too.

The governor is presenting lawmakers with a variety of ideas about how to raise more money, including an increase in the gas tax.

He also says he will undertake a cross-state bus trip in August to illustrate the problem."

Ok. Now let us hear from the anti-tax whiners: "Oh no - you are going to the burden the poor working people -- dependent on their family car --- with taxes." Yes, we ARE burdened. But where are the anti-tax people when tax money is being splurged on their pet sprawl projects and endless road-building. We ARE dependent on the family car. You might even say enslaved by it. But it is time for everyone to stop and ask themselves. Why is that?

The hidden cost of living in the suburbs: Transportation - by Christina Pomoni - Helium

2010-07-11T17:26:00.000-04:00

The hidden cost of living in the suburbs: Transportation - by Christina Pomoni - Helium: "Many people consider that living in the suburbs is cheaper than living in the city. This is because the high costs of housing put in the shadow the accessibility to public transportation or other benefits of living in the city. However, when transportation costs are taken into consideration, living in the suburbs is more expensive. In fact, the hidden costs of transportation may increase the cost of living in the suburbs even by 33%."

Are Americans Ready for Nimble Cities? � Reimagine an Urban Paradise

2010-07-06T23:55:00.000-04:00

Are Americans Ready for Nimble Cities? � Reimagine an Urban Paradise: "I think the most effective method to change consumption patterns in the U.S. would be to fully fund public transportation with public money. If taking public transportation was free for the user, ridership would grow astronomically. It’s been demonstrated again and again.

Level the mobility playing field. Give everyone the right and the means to get to work, to school, to fun, to appointments, to recreation.

We should invest in excellent public transportation that is:

Fast
Free (to the user)
Predictable (schedules available at all stops and on phones)
Attractive / Beautiful
Clean
Frequent (always less than a ten minute wait)
Everywhere (less than a ten minute walk from most locations)
Efficient (Local and Express)
Resourceful (should maximize options of local terrain. Pittsburgh for example could use streetcars, along side ferries and the incline to take advantage of our rivers and hills)
and has the right of way against all other modes of travel."

Top Ten reasons to hate cars

2010-06-20T05:45:00.000-04:00

Cars are destroying our mental health Worsening road noise causes an unknown epidemic of stress, sleep deprivation- even heart disease and depression. (3) more at onthelevel

The uncounted costs of the private auto system

2010-06-18T16:00:00.000-04:00

Lowonoil 7:06 a.m. June 16, 2010

If you think buses and trains are expensive, have a look at the costs of overseas wars and military bases to keep our cars fueled. Look at the costs of adapting nearly all the public space between anywhere and anywhere else in a city to be used for the driving and parking of cars. Look at the costs of compelling nearly every adult to own and operate a car. Look at the difficulties that those who cannot drive for whatever reason must suffer in places where the car is the transportation option of only resort. And don't get me started on the ecological and resource depletion consequences.

The cheap hydrocarbon rug is about to be pulled out from under us. The landing will hurt less for cities that have a robust transit infrastructure to fall back on. Comment on article in Deseret News

Cars are unnecessary

2010-05-24T22:32:00.000-04:00

Cars are unnecessary:

The simple reason people can't imagine doing without their car is that there are currently no viable alternatives (for many). But consider for a moment just how expensive your car is. A fraction of that cost, paid by car-owners and non-car owners alike could easily pay for a robust public transit system. It could also pay for a delivery service, freeing people of the need to own cars to haul groceries and heavy purchases.

A fraction of the money it costs to buy and maintain cars (and roads and police and, the big one, health costs associated with car accidents) wouldn't just by public transit, it would by NICE public transit. And not just in urban areas -- suburban and semi-rural areas as well.

Where public transit is simply too impractical, car share systems like Zipcar or rental car agencies could pick up the slack. In rural areas people would of course still need cars, but cars in rural areas aren't nearly the nuisance they are in densely populated areas. DailyKos

US President, shill for oil barons

2010-05-13T23:11:00.001-04:00

Billions urged for Pa. transit

2010-05-04T11:29:00.000-04:00

....The problem, as portrayed by the committee report, is immense: Of the state's 25,000 bridges, more than 5,600, or about 22 percent, are structurally deficient. Travel delays caused by congestion have doubled in the last 25 years and are projected to increase 50 to 60 percent by 2035. Most roads were constructed in the 1960s or earlier and need to be rebuilt. Mass-transit agencies, such as SEPTA, are saddled with decrepit stations, outdated fare systems, and worn-out power networks.

Additional funding of $3.5 billion, including local funding, would allow the state to rebuild 500 bridges a year for the next 10 years and 300 bridges a year for 10 years after that, reducing the percentage of structurally deficient bridges to 5 percent.

It would also permit transit systems to add new bus routes and commuter rail service, and limit fare hikes.... philly.com

What will it take to make us see the private auto for what it really is?

2010-03-30T07:43:00.000-04:00

Another victim of the auto

Want tourists? Arthur Frommer says give them free transit

2010-03-26T14:30:00.000-04:00

...The effort would take the form of an announcement by the President that henceforth, foreign tourists visiting the U.S. would receive free-of-charge, in-city transportation on the subways and buses of our dozen-or-so most important touristic cities. They, their mayors and city councils, would be asked, as a matter of patriotic service, to create a system whereby hotels would be authorized to issue free transportation cards to overnight foreign guests, upon their presentation of passports identifying them as bona fide tourists.

Arthur Frommer http://frommers.com/blog

Pittsburgh blogger recommends free public transportation

2010-03-26T09:21:00.000-04:00

...Things are looking up in Washington, DC where I was a pedestrian, cyclist, public transportation aficionado for nearly eight years. I’m excited to see what happens next.

My recommendation for Action Agenda 2014 is free public transportation.

How about it, government? How about it, citizens? Reimagining An Urban Paradise

Home buyers don't factor in commuting

2010-03-24T13:20:00.001-04:00

Buyers who move deep into the suburbs to find bigger, nicer houses often fail to consider added transportation expenses that might bust their budgets, a new national study has concluded.
Rising transportation costs are dramatically shrinking the amount of affordable housing in Pittsburgh and across the U.S., according to the report released today by the nonprofit Center for Neighborhood Technology, a group that promotes more environmentally conscious policies....
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10083/1045127-30.stm#ixzz0j7Ds69rY

Careful reading of science journals exposes deniers

2010-03-17T20:53:00.000-04:00

Does Mobility Have a Future?

2010-03-15T04:20:00.001-04:00

by hock http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/

MONDAY, APRIL 19TH, 2010, 3-6PM, BEHRAKIS GRAND HALL IN THE CREESE STUDENT CENTER (33RD & CHESTNUT ST.), DREXEL UNIVERSITY

Welcome from Professor Donna Murasko, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
Introduction by Professor Mimi Sheller, Director of the Center for Mobilities Research and Policy
Keynote Speaker: Professor John Urry (Lancaster University, UK)“Does Mobility Have a Future?”
Plus Panelists:
Prof. Ole B. Jensen, CMUS, Aalborg University, Denmark“ Mobility challenges: theoretical perspective on research into contemporary urban mobilities”
Prof. Sven Kesselring, Technische Universität München, Germany“ New mobilities regimes: mobility, power and ambivalence in the risk society”
Dr. Peter Adey, Keele University, UK“Mobility, security, life”

Reception will follow at 5:45pm.This event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP to Mimi Sheller if planning to attend: mimi.sheller@drexel.edu More...

Compare Taipei subway with Philadelphia

2010-03-10T23:39:00.000-05:00

Children relax in Taipei subway while school is out for New Year holiday.

Hey, America, what is with all the honking?

2010-03-07T18:12:00.002-05:00

Your car horn is for emergencies, not to express your emotions. Grow up. Everybody in a 500 meter sphere does not want to know that someone cut you off. Besides, do you know absolutely and for sure that the person who cut you off is not racing to save a life? NO ... YOU DON'T. Chill already... the people in Taiwan have worse traffic and they hardly ever honk. You should be ASHAMED.

More than 33,000 students signed up for free NJ TRANSIT Rides

2010-02-25T16:30:00.000-05:00

February 2, 2006
NJT-06-011
Contact: Dan Stessel (973) 491-7078

NEWARK, NJ — So far this week, more than 33,000 students have taken advantage of NJ TRANSIT’s free ride offer for college and post secondary students, the Corporation announced today.

From January 30 through February 5, 2006, NJ TRANSIT is giving students the week of free travel to show them how convenient and simple using New Jersey’s public transportation system can be.

"This successful weeklong promotion is taking cars off the road while building the next generation of NJ TRANSIT customers," said NJ TRANSIT Assistant Executive Director Lynn Bowersox.

Taking full advantage of the promotion, students at Seton Hall University have organized several outings on NJ TRANSIT this week, including an outdoor photography contest, a movie in Hoboken, a museum exhibit and a group historical tour of Central Park.

During the free week, college and post-secondary students can ride any NJ TRANSIT bus, rail or light rail line for free simply by presenting their student ID and a Free Ride coupon available at www.njtransit.com.

The trial also promotes the benefits of NJ TRANSIT’s online Student Pass program, which provides a 25-percent discount to fulltime students who attend participating colleges. With Student Pass, students simply log on to their university’s Intranet, click on the link to NJ TRANSIT’s monthly pass student discount and enter the requested information. After signing up, a new monthly pass is sent automatically each month as long as the account remains active. Universities that offer their students a discount through the online Student Pass program are Seton Hall University, Montclair State University, Rutgers University, William Paterson University, Kean University, Richard Stockton College, New Jersey City University, Fairleigh Dickinson University and Ramapo College.

About NJ TRANSIT

NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 800,000 daily trips on 240 bus routes, three light rail lines and 11 commuter rail lines. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 162 rail stations, 53 light rail stations and more than 17,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia

Pennies for transit -- millions for auto executives

2010-02-23T08:45:00.002-05:00

..Auto-maker bailout star GM announced Friday that current CEO Ed Whitacre “will receive a salary of $1.7 million this year, plus stock awards that will bring his total pay package to $9 million.” Although his pay is beyond the limit set for executives of bailed out companies “an exemption was worked out with government pay czar Kenneth Feinberg”, according to a GM spokesman.

GM…? Isn’t that the failing company that asked for money from the government?

That borrowed money from the bankrupt, weary, unemployed American people to the tune of $52,000,000,000 last year? $52 billion dollars? Read post on onenightlemonadestand

Carbon Market Bailout Announced

2009-11-17T21:44:00.006-05:00

Washington, D.C. November 18th, 2014 - MSM News - Today U.S. Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers was on Capitol Hill to push for his 1400 billion dollar bailout for several major banks involved in the sub-prime carbon storage crisis. "We cannot let critical environmental initiatives suffer because of the weaknesses of one sector." he argued.
The sub-prime carbon storage crisis was precipitated when Brazilian authorities abruptly reassessed the valuations of thousands of parcels of sequestered rainforest. There had been claims for years that the parcels were overvalued and allegations of conflicts of interest with the World Carbon Bank that sets the valuations, but the move by Brasilia was a surprise to many. As a result, said Summers, "many large banks in the U.S. with carbon structured investment vehicles are unable to determine what percent of such holdings are tainted by sub-prime carbon sequesters."

In other news, U.S. President Dick Cheney urged Americans to "stay the course" in the war in Turkmenistan, and not lose sight of the goals simply because of a few setbacks in military operations in Nigeria, Afghanistan, and Iraq. "We have to hang tough" he urged, speaking to a Rose Garden gathering of Tea-Partiers-for-Freedom at the White House today... read more at: MSM-News.com

Your bumper sticker whispers "peace"...

2009-11-14T18:13:00.002-05:00

but your tailpipe bellows "WAR."

autosprawl creates energy demand
energy demand empowers suppliers
suppliers need to control raw source regions
suppliers influence government
government invades raw source regions
government subsidizes autosprawl

.
==> to stop energy wars, stop the subidies.

Freedom from Car

2009-10-23T09:42:00.000-04:00

I've been car-free since 1989. Since then, I've felt such a feeling of freedom that I can't imagine ever owning a car again. Young people are astutely realizing this: look at the leading causes of accidental death among young people. Look at the sunk costs and debt required to serve an automobile-centered life. Look at the lost time spent finding a parking space, parking, sitting in traffic, routine and non-routine maintenance, gassing up the car, and the rate of death for car drivers. Being free of all of this is the best possible feeling you can have.

I urge you to consider being car-free: you can do it by living close to what matters to you in an environment that has an existing infrastructure of walkable urbanism and alternative transportation. See if you can walk and bike to your major destinations. Choose your home close to transit lines. In the odd time you need a vehicle, rent one, use a zip car, or see about community car-sharing services. It is easy to be car free, and the freedom you gain from it is uniquely American. Cars, invented in the 19th century, popularized in the 20th, and worshipped by our grandparents, aren't a smart choice for the 21st century. JohnDecember, commenting on Planetizen

Hundreds of millions of years of stored CO2 released in a few decades

2009-10-20T15:46:00.001-04:00

Mid-Autumn Festival displaces cars on 10th street

2009-09-28T19:01:00.005-04:00

Philadelphia 2009 Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival [9/26/2009]