Tuesday
Nov182008
At the end, Bush praises Transportation Achievements
President Bush said that the Department of Transportation (DOT) has had an "impressive record" on providing safety to air travelers during his presidency. He called the last seven years of air travel the "safest ever."
In a speech at the DOT today, Bush singled out Transportation Secretary Mary Peters, saying she has done a "fabulous job" and calling her "a strong leader." He praised her response to the bridge collapse on Aug. 1, 2007 of Highway I-35 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. According to Bush, Peters led "a swift and effective federal response" to the bridge collapse, and stated that the bridge was reopened "months ahead of schedule."
The President also declared that this December the government will open military air space to civilian air craft in areas of the East Coast, Midwest, Southwest, and the West Coast. He also said that this holiday season, the government, in an attempt to protect consumers, will increase regulations on airlines. He claimed there would be higher compensation assured to consumers who lost bags on flights, and tougher penalties for airlines that do not reveal hidden fees.
According to Bush, the administration has "taken steps to address the source of most flight delays and cancellations across the country, and that would be the heavy air traffic around New York City." He said they have accomplished this because they have "improved our traffic control."
Bush said that it is important to be innovative in improving air travel over the coming years. He said the energy bill he signed last year "will save fuel and cut greenhouse gas emissions by specifying a national fuel economy standard of 35 miles per gallon by 2020."
Bush advocated that the private sector be the leader in providing advancement. He felt that the government should "provide incentives" to "develop new technologies, invest in our infrastructure, and help make our transportation system worthy of the 21st century."
In a speech at the DOT today, Bush singled out Transportation Secretary Mary Peters, saying she has done a "fabulous job" and calling her "a strong leader." He praised her response to the bridge collapse on Aug. 1, 2007 of Highway I-35 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. According to Bush, Peters led "a swift and effective federal response" to the bridge collapse, and stated that the bridge was reopened "months ahead of schedule."
The President also declared that this December the government will open military air space to civilian air craft in areas of the East Coast, Midwest, Southwest, and the West Coast. He also said that this holiday season, the government, in an attempt to protect consumers, will increase regulations on airlines. He claimed there would be higher compensation assured to consumers who lost bags on flights, and tougher penalties for airlines that do not reveal hidden fees.
According to Bush, the administration has "taken steps to address the source of most flight delays and cancellations across the country, and that would be the heavy air traffic around New York City." He said they have accomplished this because they have "improved our traffic control."
Bush said that it is important to be innovative in improving air travel over the coming years. He said the energy bill he signed last year "will save fuel and cut greenhouse gas emissions by specifying a national fuel economy standard of 35 miles per gallon by 2020."
Bush advocated that the private sector be the leader in providing advancement. He felt that the government should "provide incentives" to "develop new technologies, invest in our infrastructure, and help make our transportation system worthy of the 21st century."
tagged 
George Bush, Mary Peters, president, transportation, travel in White House
George Bush, Mary Peters, president, transportation, travel in White House
High demand, but very low funding for transportation investments
Kaine said that every state is struggling to find funding for infrastructure. He said that Virginia has the third largest state-managed road system, but is underinvested in rail and public transportation. He said that with Virginia’s great dependence on roads, the aging highway system, and rising construction costs, new funding solutions are necessary. He predicted that gas prices would continue to rise, making investments in alternative transportation an urgent initiative.
Secretary Peters also said that every state is struggling to keep up with the demand for transportation investments. She said a population that is increasingly against raising taxes, especially the gas tax, makes finding funds very difficult. She said that Americans do not believe that an increase in the gas tax will translate to more efficient transportation. To help with the funding crisis, she plans to increase state rather than federal control of transportation funding and decrease federal restrictions on toll roads.