Desire Named Streetcar Grips Cities

EU giant starts US plant, takes 200 rail orders from congested cities

(NEWSER) - Siemens is importing eco-friendly trams and light-rail transport to gas-guzzling America, Der Spiegel reports. The conglomerate has been making them in Sacramento for 2 years, and is seeing a brisk increase in demand from the almost 30 tram-loving US cities. The California plant has 200 orders already and expects more when another 50 US cities finish building new rail lines. More»

Ridership was up 2.3% from 2010

(NEWSER) - If you think the subway has felt extra crowded lately, you likely aren't imagining things: Americans are hopping on public transportation more often, according to a new report out today, with the number of bus and train passengers last year reaching its second highest level since 1957. Nationwide, transit ridership was up 2.3% from 2010, to 10.4 billion trips, the American Public Transportation Association says. Vehicle miles of travel, meanwhile, dropped 1.2%. More»

Line disconnected by Katrina can runs its course again

(NEWSER) - Streetcars clang-clanged their way down South Carrollton Ave. yesterday, and for many, the sound was as sweet as New Orleans jazz, the Times-Picayune reports. For the first time since Hurricane Katrina, the whole St. Charles Ave. streetcar line is running, and it should bring both tourism and a sense of normalcy back to the end-of-the-line neighborhood. More»

Mass transit winning converts across the country as gas price soars

(NEWSER) - The soaring price of gas is driving people across America out of their cars and onto mass transit, the New York Times reports. Buses and trains are up 5% or more in cities like Boston and New York, where mass transit is already a popular alternative, but the biggest leap in rider numbers—10-15%— has been in cities in the South and West where car culture is strongest. More»

(NEWSER) - New York City public transportation ground to a standstill early this morning after violent thunderstorms tore up trees, damaged cars, and flooded underground train tracks, halting or delaying every single subway line, reports the New York Times. Flights at all three major airports in the metropolitan area were pushed back or canceled. More»