Passenger Trains > US DOT seeks input on surface transport plan (link)

I received this from the NARP today. And if
anyone in Sacramento wants to say hello, I\'ll
be flying in tomorrow morning 10ish, and training
out midnightish. Say a prayer for #14 to be
on time for me! :)

To NARP Members--August 1, 2002:

(1) As of 2:30 PM today, eight passengers from Monday\'s derailment
remain admitted in Washington area hospitals. (The crew members were all
treated and released.)

(2) The self-explanatory release below--soliciting your comments--is
from U.S. DOT. Although DOT doubtless thinks in terms of this as
"highways and transit," the Senate more than once has voted as part of
such bills to give states the right to spend their flexible
transportation dollars on intercity passenger rail. This of course has
never been enacted.

--Ross B. Capon
NARP Executive Director

U.S. Transportation Secretary Mineta Invites Americans To Comment
on Future Surface Transportation Programs

U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta today asked individuals
and groups across the country to take advantage of a new online service
to express their opinions and offer ideas as the U.S. Department of
Transportation (USDOT) prepares its proposal to Congress on
reauthorization of the nation\'s surface transportation programs.

For the first time ever, USDOT is providing an Internet-based site
for individuals and groups to go online and submit comments, ideas and
analyses regarding reauthorization. The Department also invites comments
that can be submitted in writing.

"As we develop new proposals for our surface transportation program,
we want to hear from our state and local partners, the private sector
and all those who are interested in meeting the transportation
challenges of tomorrow," Secretary Mineta said. "The new Web site and
the traditional vehicles we have provided will enable stakeholders and
citizens everywhere to submit ideas and comments, which will be valuable
resources as we move forward with the reauthorization process."

The current legislation, the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st
Century (TEA-21), was enacted in June 1998. TEA-21 expires on Sept. 30,
2003, and Congress and the Bush Administration are working to develop
its successor.

USDOT also has produced a brochure that provides a message from the
Secretary, a list of TEA-21 accomplishments and the Department\'s
core principles for reauthorization as well as information on
participation by individuals and groups in helping to shape these
surface transportation programs. The brochure, America\'s Surface
Transportation Programs: Meeting the New Challenges, and a Federal
Register notice formally seeking comments on the reauthorization of
surface transportation programs can be viewed on the Internet.

Participants are encouraged to use the Web site to submit comments
online. They can do so by logging on to http://www.dot.gov/ and clicking
on "Surface Transportation Reauthorization." Written comments may be
sent to the Docket Clerk, USDOT, Room PL-401, Docket Number
OST-2002-12170, 400 Seventh St., SW, Washington, DC 20590. To
order a copy of the brochure write to: Public Affairs, Room 10416,
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington,
DC 20590.

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/reauthorization/