WEATHER ALERT
City of Sugar Land explores future with self-driving cable-rail system
Read full article: City of Sugar Land explores future with self-driving cable-rail systemSugar Land is collaborating with Swyft Cities to explore the Whoosh® cable transit system, featuring autonomous, gondola-like electric vehicles on elevated cables, aimed at enhancing mobility and sustainability.
‘Drive sober. No regrets:’ TxDOT, Houston PD reminding drivers to be safe this Labor Day weekend
Read full article: ‘Drive sober. No regrets:’ TxDOT, Houston PD reminding drivers to be safe this Labor Day weekendWe can't tell you how to spend your Labor Day celebrations, but we are reminding you to be mindful when you're hitting the roads if you plan on drinking.
‘They’ll never ride the bus again:’ Fort Bend ISD mom says her 3 children were dropped off at wrong stop
Read full article: ‘They’ll never ride the bus again:’ Fort Bend ISD mom says her 3 children were dropped off at wrong stop“I received a call from some guy that the kids asked to use his phone, so he passed the phone to my daughter, and she said that the bus people let them off the bus,” Ebony Jordan explained.
Drivers say some Houston ISD buses carrying children with special needs do not have working air conditioners
Read full article: Drivers say some Houston ISD buses carrying children with special needs do not have working air conditionersThe first day of the HISD school year was touted as a “great day” of education by Superintendent Mike Miles. However, minutes into his first news conference of the school year Miles declared that there was one problem that he viewed as “unacceptable” for families, the issue of bus service that did not deliver.
‘It’s very frustrating’: Family takes 3 METRO buses to school on first day back after Houston ISD’s bus route issues
Read full article: ‘It’s very frustrating’: Family takes 3 METRO buses to school on first day back after Houston ISD’s bus route issuesA Southwest Houston family had to take three METRO buses to get their daughter to Briarmeadow Charter School due to unresolved HISD bus route assignments. Despite HISD's efforts, around 700 students are still awaiting bus stop assignments. Have you experienced similar issues with school transportation? Share your story in the comments.
Around 700 Houston ISD students still being assigned new bus stops, routes as first day of school starts Monday
Read full article: Around 700 Houston ISD students still being assigned new bus stops, routes as first day of school starts MondayAs Houston ISD prepares to start school again on Monday, the district says around 700 students are still being assigned new bus stops and routes.
Houston ISD cuts 85 bus routes to reduce ride times, reduce costs for school choice transportation
Read full article: Houston ISD cuts 85 bus routes to reduce ride times, reduce costs for school choice transportationThe Houston Independent School District announced they are making adjustments to their school choice transportation system.
Interstate 27 has divided Lubbock for decades. North and east side residents want that to change.
Read full article: Interstate 27 has divided Lubbock for decades. North and east side residents want that to change.After repeated attempts to convince the City Council to make zoning changes, residents asked the federal government to intervene.
Abortion on the ballot: Amarillo set to vote on abortion travel ban this election
Read full article: Abortion on the ballot: Amarillo set to vote on abortion travel ban this electionAfter the Amarillo City Council balked at such an ordinance last year, residents collected signatures for a ballot measure.
Truckers hope protest over unpaid hours and lack of restrooms will spark a Permian Basin labor movement
Read full article: Truckers hope protest over unpaid hours and lack of restrooms will spark a Permian Basin labor movementTruckers say they can wait up to 18 hours without pay to load or unload fracking sand. The drilling sites often lack restrooms.
METRO abandons next phase of Bus Rapid Train Plan
Read full article: METRO abandons next phase of Bus Rapid Train PlanBefore the pandemic, the idea of METRO’s “Bus Rapid Transit” was the cornerstone of the public transportation agency’s future plans. But this week, METRO, under new, seemingly more fiscally responsible leadership, shelved plans to build the next leg of the “BRT” line.
Know the rules! What to know if you are taking a trip on a plane and planning to bring a gun
Read full article: Know the rules! What to know if you are taking a trip on a plane and planning to bring a gunIf you are planning to bring a gun with you, there are some rules that it is imperative you know.
Plans to spend billions on a flood-prone East Texas highway may not solve the problem
Read full article: Plans to spend billions on a flood-prone East Texas highway may not solve the problemTxDOT says it can’t guarantee that upgrades to one of Houston’s main hurricane evacuation routes will prevent future flooding of U.S. 59.
El Paso residents rally to protect a Rio Grande wetland from possible highway project
Read full article: El Paso residents rally to protect a Rio Grande wetland from possible highway projectPotential routes for a highway in El Paso’s Mission Valley run alongside a restored wetland called Rio Bosque. Environmental advocates are urging TxDOT to scrap the idea.
Eclipse fever hits Texas towns as residents and officials prepare for a crush of visitors
Read full article: Eclipse fever hits Texas towns as residents and officials prepare for a crush of visitorsLlano residents are told to stock up on groceries. A Sulphur Springs church is renting its parking spots. And everyone’s watching the weather forecast ahead of Monday’s eclipse.
Cities across the U.S. are abandoning bus stations. This East Texas town is embracing its bustling depot.
Read full article: Cities across the U.S. are abandoning bus stations. This East Texas town is embracing its bustling depot.Longview officials saw an opportunity to invest in mass transit after one of the nation’s largest busing companies pulled out.
Supreme Court permits Texas police to arrest people who illegally cross the border as the SB 4 legal clash continues
Read full article: Supreme Court permits Texas police to arrest people who illegally cross the border as the SB 4 legal clash continuesThe ruling allows Texas to start enforcing SB 4 while a lawsuit over its constitutionality remains pending before a federal appeals court.
Apparently snowplows in Michigan have names, and they’re all hilarious
Read full article: Apparently snowplows in Michigan have names, and they’re all hilariousIf you live in a part of the country where you experience all four seasons then you’re pretty used to snowplows cleaning up the streets of your town when mother nature decides to dump inches of snow on the ground.
Texans grapple with numerous challenges, yet many are actively seeking solutions
Read full article: Texans grapple with numerous challenges, yet many are actively seeking solutionsAcross the state, people are looking for ways to make Texas a better place to live as they tackle hunger, rural “brain drain,” health care obstacles and other impediments.
Texas could spend federal funds meant to cut carbon emissions on highway projects
Read full article: Texas could spend federal funds meant to cut carbon emissions on highway projectsThe Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act required Texas’ transportation agency to create a carbon reduction strategy to get $641 million federal dollars. Critics say the plan is unlikely to meaningfully cut greenhouse gasses from the state’s massive transportation sector.
To fight climate change and housing shortage, Austin becomes largest U.S. city to drop parking-spot requirements
Read full article: To fight climate change and housing shortage, Austin becomes largest U.S. city to drop parking-spot requirementsAffordable housing advocates, developers and climate activists say rules requiring a minimum amount of parking spaces on new projects drives up construction costs and enables a dependency on vehicles to get around town.
One of Texas’ oldest towns needs $200 million for upgrades. It’s asking voters to approve $44 million this fall.
Read full article: One of Texas’ oldest towns needs $200 million for upgrades. It’s asking voters to approve $44 million this fall.The East Texas town is one of 218 local governments asking voters to approve new debt for repairs and upgrades to city infrastructure. Local leaders say inflation isn’t helping them keep up with capital needs.
Driverless cars are multiplying on Texas roads. Here’s what you should know.
Read full article: Driverless cars are multiplying on Texas roads. Here’s what you should know.Autonomous vehicles, or AVs, are here. Tribune journalists took a ride in one recently and answer the biggest questions about who’s driving the driverless trend and how the state regulates them.
Texas drivers vexed by toll road payment problems got little relief from state lawmakers
Read full article: Texas drivers vexed by toll road payment problems got little relief from state lawmakersDouble billing, rejected automatic payments and expensive late fees are the most frequent complaints about a toll system with different operators and rules across the state.
Cars registered in Texas after 2025 will no longer need to pass a safety inspection, but owners will still pay the fee
Read full article: Cars registered in Texas after 2025 will no longer need to pass a safety inspection, but owners will still pay the feeCars in some of Texas’ larger counties will still be required to have their emission output checked.
Photo of Lamar Consolidated ISD students forced to sit in bus aisles because of crowding causing stir
Read full article: Photo of Lamar Consolidated ISD students forced to sit in bus aisles because of crowding causing stirIf you’re a parent, you know how hard it can be at times to get your kids to just sit down and have a seat. That problem is being amplified on Lamar Consolidated ISD school buses because there aren’t enough seats to go around. Some kids say they’re forced to sit on the floor of the buses.
Why health care is still hard to access in rural towns near Texas’ bigger cities
Read full article: Why health care is still hard to access in rural towns near Texas’ bigger citiesBigger cities like Lubbock can unintentionally suck health care resources and professionals from smaller towns, creating what one local expert calls the “doughnut effect.”
DPS sent at least 3,000 driver’s licenses to organized crime group targeting Asian Texans
Read full article: DPS sent at least 3,000 driver’s licenses to organized crime group targeting Asian TexansA Chinese crime operation bypassed the password clues of Texas.gov by using stolen identity information to fraudulently obtain replacement driver’s licenses.
Texans should avoid travel in regions hit with icy weather as power grid expected to meet demand
Read full article: Texans should avoid travel in regions hit with icy weather as power grid expected to meet demandSchool closures and hazardous road conditions are expected throughout a large portion of Texas, according to forecasts. State officials caution Texans about local power outages but expect the grid to stay up.
In a Texas federal courtroom, families of those killed in Boeing 737 MAX crashes finally have their voices heard
Read full article: In a Texas federal courtroom, families of those killed in Boeing 737 MAX crashes finally have their voices heardThe airplane manufacturer was accused of fraud for misleading federal regulators about the safety of its jets, but stayed out of court by making a deal with prosecutors. Victims’ families say they were cut out of the process.
Texans are dying on state highways every day — especially in rural “dead zones”
Read full article: Texans are dying on state highways every day — especially in rural “dead zones”Fatal crashes in rural areas accounted for 51% of Texas’ 4,489 traffic fatalities in 2021, even though only about 10% of the state’s population lives in a rural area, according to data from the state’s department of transportation.
A national bus driver shortage is upending Texas’ beloved Friday night high school football games
Read full article: A national bus driver shortage is upending Texas’ beloved Friday night high school football gamesSchool leaders are offering more money and paid training for potential bus drivers. Some routes still go unserved.
Dallas-Houston bullet train developer vows project is on track, but state officials lack confidence
Read full article: Dallas-Houston bullet train developer vows project is on track, but state officials lack confidenceWith lingering skepticism about Texas Central’s ability to build a high-speed rail line, landowners along the route want the company to be more forthcoming about the project’s status.
Texas will build more than 50 new electric car charging locations along major highways
Read full article: Texas will build more than 50 new electric car charging locations along major highwaysThe $408 million approved Tuesday by the Federal Highway Administration will help build a network of charging facilities every 50-70 miles along certain major Texas highways.
American Cancer Society looking for volunteers to drive cancer patients to treatment
Read full article: American Cancer Society looking for volunteers to drive cancer patients to treatmentThe American Cancer Society’s Road To Recovery program offers free transportation to those undergoing cancer treatment.
Pete Buttigieg blasts Texas Republicans on handling of migrants, LGBTQ rights
Read full article: Pete Buttigieg blasts Texas Republicans on handling of migrants, LGBTQ rightsAt the 2022 Texas Tribune Festival, Buttigieg said the efforts of Gov. Greg Abbott and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in sending migrants to Democrat-led cities are “hurting people in order to get attention.”
‘It’s discrimination’: Outcry from parents of CCISD special needs students over end to some daycare transportation
Read full article: ‘It’s discrimination’: Outcry from parents of CCISD special needs students over end to some daycare transportationSeveral parents with special needs students in Clear Creek ISD are upset with the district over what they say is a change in transportation for their children to and from a facility that provides specialized care.
TxDOT, transportation officials across Houston roll out mobility app to area commuters
Read full article: TxDOT, transportation officials across Houston roll out mobility app to area commutersTxDOT and other transportation officials across Houston are hosting a news conference Friday to discuss a partnership to launch a mobility app for area commuters.
Key Texas industries could face bottlenecks over railroad labor dispute
Read full article: Key Texas industries could face bottlenecks over railroad labor disputeIf railroad companies and workers can’t resolve their dispute by Thursday night, the country could see its first railroad strike in 30 years.
Gov. Abbott, TxDOT announce $85 billion 10-year statewide roadway construction plan
Read full article: Gov. Abbott, TxDOT announce $85 billion 10-year statewide roadway construction planGov. Greg Abbott announced Tuesday the Texas Department of Transportation’s 2023 Unified Transportation Program, advancing a $85 billion, 10-year statewide roadway construction plan.
After a decade of hype, Dallas-Houston bullet train developer faces a leadership exodus as land acquisition slows
Read full article: After a decade of hype, Dallas-Houston bullet train developer faces a leadership exodus as land acquisition slowsTexas Central has made little visible progress financing the high-speed rail project and acquiring property for the route in recent years. The company maintains that the bullet train is still being developed but declined to provide details about the path forward.
METRO to get 20 electric buses after $21.6M grant from Federal Transit Administration
Read full article: METRO to get 20 electric buses after $21.6M grant from Federal Transit AdministrationHouston Mayor Sylvester Turner has formally announced an enormous grant given to the city in efforts to progress public transportation as we know it.
TXDOT proposes to raise portions of I-10 prone to flooding
Read full article: TXDOT proposes to raise portions of I-10 prone to floodingThe Texas Department of Transportation is hoping to elevate portions of I-10′s main lanes between Heights Boulevard and I-45, which officials say was impassable during Hurricane Harvey and Tropical Storm Imelda.
TxDOT approves nearly $150M to improve transportation in state’s rural areas, smaller cities
Read full article: TxDOT approves nearly $150M to improve transportation in state’s rural areas, smaller citiesTxDOT announced Friday that it’s investing $150 million to bring critically needed upgrades to improve transportation access to Texans in rural areas and smaller cities.
A “cloned” 18-wheeler made it easy for smugglers to pass through the border, say state officials vowing to crack down
Read full article: A “cloned” 18-wheeler made it easy for smugglers to pass through the border, say state officials vowing to crack downA federal agency estimates that about 75 trucks are reported nationally each year with copied or stolen state and federal ID numbers, which industry experts say is likely a significant undercount.
Houston-area airports suffer widespread cancellations, delays as summer travel peaks
Read full article: Houston-area airports suffer widespread cancellations, delays as summer travel peaksAirports across the U.S. have experienced widespread flight cancellations and delays as the summer travel season reached its peak.
TDCJ to resume bus transportation after inmate escaped custody before killing family of 5
Read full article: TDCJ to resume bus transportation after inmate escaped custody before killing family of 5The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) will resume inmate transportation starting Monday, June 13 after temporarily stopping it to investigate how a convicted murderer escaped from a bus last month and allegedly killed a man and his four grandsons.
Decades after Texas took part of its historic farm, a family fights again to save its land from a highway expansion
Read full article: Decades after Texas took part of its historic farm, a family fights again to save its land from a highway expansionDaniel Alexander was enslaved when he founded a farm before the Civil War. 175 years later, his family is fighting to keep it intact as Texas plans to expand U.S. Highway 183.
METRO undergoes ‘makeover’ with universally accessible bus stops
Read full article: METRO undergoes ‘makeover’ with universally accessible bus stopsMETRO celebrated the completion of 2,500 universally accessible bus stops early in May, marking a huge milestone for transportation equality. METRO is committed to upgrading all of its 9,000 bus stops to be universally accessible -- this means when riders choose to use public transportation, their experience will be safer, more comfortable, and they will have better access to health care, school, and work.
Analysis: The case for big ideas in Texas government
Read full article: Analysis: The case for big ideas in Texas governmentTexas political leaders usually settle for caution. The big stuff is risky, but it’s also possible — and even inspiring — to see leaders ignoring the small stuff and aiming higher.
In McAllen, Gov. Greg Abbott’s border inspections meant late deliveries, rotten produce and lost business
Read full article: In McAllen, Gov. Greg Abbott’s border inspections meant late deliveries, rotten produce and lost businessThe delays caused by the state’s inspections are the latest blow to farmers and produce businesses in the Rio Grande Valley recovering from the pandemic and losses from last year’s winter storm.
Predicting food shortages, Sid Miller calls on Gov. Greg Abbott to stop new vehicle inspections at the border
Read full article: Predicting food shortages, Sid Miller calls on Gov. Greg Abbott to stop new vehicle inspections at the borderAbbott’s new policy has resulted in hourslong delays and protester blockades at border crossings. The state’s agriculture commissioner criticized the measure as an “economy killing action.”
International trade halted at Texas border crossings as truckers protest Greg Abbott’s new inspections
Read full article: International trade halted at Texas border crossings as truckers protest Greg Abbott’s new inspectionsCommercial traffic at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge stopped Monday and a similar protest affected traffic into and out of El Paso. The blockades could impact the flow of produce to restaurants and grocery stores.
With soaring gas prices, EVs and public transportation have never looked more attractive
Read full article: With soaring gas prices, EVs and public transportation have never looked more attractiveThe nationwide average price for a gallon of unleaded gas has reached record highs in 2022, according to GasBuddy.com.
Head of Texas DMV resigns amid pressure to stop widespread sale of fake paper license plates
Read full article: Head of Texas DMV resigns amid pressure to stop widespread sale of fake paper license platesAuthorities across the state have expressed frustration with the agency as hundreds of thousands of fake tags are illegally sold and used in a wide range of offenses.
In Texas Supreme Court case, state argues that Dallas-Houston bullet train developer can’t use eminent domain
Read full article: In Texas Supreme Court case, state argues that Dallas-Houston bullet train developer can’t use eminent domainA rural Texas landowner is battling Texas Central in a lawsuit that hinges on whether the company can forcibly take parcels needed to connect the state’s two biggest urban areas.
Analysis: A swelling Texas treasury gives 2022 hopefuls room for big ideas
Read full article: Analysis: A swelling Texas treasury gives 2022 hopefuls room for big ideasAs the political season starts, the contestants got an unexpected bit of good news: The state comptroller says the next Legislature will start with almost $25 billion in the state treasury. Expensive campaign promises just got a lot easier to make.
Biden’s infrastructure plan will set aside about $35 billion for Texas projects
Read full article: Biden’s infrastructure plan will set aside about $35 billion for Texas projectsThe funds will help advance existing plans, pay for much-needed repairs and launch other projects for roads, bridges, broadband access, electric vehicle charging stations and more.
U.S. Sens. John Cornyn, Ted Cruz vote against infrastructure bill that could give Texas more than $30 billion
Read full article: U.S. Sens. John Cornyn, Ted Cruz vote against infrastructure bill that could give Texas more than $30 billionThe Senate approved a $1 trillion, bipartisan bill that also earmarks money for broadband internet access. It’s not yet known how much money set aside for the country’s aging electricity infrastructure could go to Texas’ main power grid.
Dump truck crash on Interstate 45 blocks exit near Jefferson Street, TxDOT says
Read full article: Dump truck crash on Interstate 45 blocks exit near Jefferson Street, TxDOT saysCrews are working to clear a scene on Interstate 45 after a heavy truck crashed Saturday afternoon, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.
Texas could give landowners more say in eminent domain negotiations under bill sent to Greg Abbott’s desk
Read full article: Texas could give landowners more say in eminent domain negotiations under bill sent to Greg Abbott’s deskAfter failing last session, lawmakers finalized a bill — described as a “delicate compromise” — that provides new protections for landowners in negotiating with companies attempting to seize their land through eminent domain.
Companies could be shielded from liability after commercial vehicle crashes under Texas House bill
Read full article: Companies could be shielded from liability after commercial vehicle crashes under Texas House billHB 19’s sponsors say the bill will prevent excessive lawsuits against companies, but road safety advocates say the bill would make Texas roads more dangerous and prevent victims of crashes from receiving justice.
‘Stop putting cars over people’: Harris County sues TxDOT over I-45 expansion project
Read full article: ‘Stop putting cars over people’: Harris County sues TxDOT over I-45 expansion projectHOUSTON – Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis and Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee made a demand Thursday for TxDOT to take residents and the environment into consideration in the agency’s plan to expand Interstate 45. The $7.5 billion expansion project aims to increase the capacity of the freeway to handle traffic through downtown up Greater Greenspoint. Members of the group know, as Stop TxDOT I-45 applauded the county attorney’s decision to file suit. Good for them,” said STOP TxDOT I-45 founder, Susan Graham. The following is a statement, from TxDOT Executive Director James Bass, on the Harris County lawsuit regarding the NHHIP:“TxDOT has not yet received a copy of the lawsuit.
Ask 2: Can I put my license plate on my windshield?
Read full article: Ask 2: Can I put my license plate on my windshield?As part of our Ask 2 series, the newsroom will answer your questions about all things Houston. Question: Can I put my license plate on my windshield? Texas is a two-plate state, and according to the Texas Transportation Code, vehicles must have a mounted front and back license plate. Drivers with plates on their windshield are not compliant by law as it may obstruct their vision. Your license plates must also be visible by police within 50 feet.
TSU professor considered the ‘father of environmental justice’
Read full article: TSU professor considered the ‘father of environmental justice’KPRC 2′s Re’Chelle Turner spoke to Dr. Robert Bullard, who is known as the “father of environmental justice”. Dr. Robert Bullard is a distinguished professor of Urban Planning and Environmental Policy at TSU. His goal is to make sure everyone has the right to live, work and play in a clean environment. Dr. Bullard said the environmental justice movement also relates to the Black Lives Matter Movement and the death of Houston Native George Floyd. Dr. Bullard said just this month, TSU received a $1.25 million grant from the Houston Endowment to start the Robert D. Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice.
Over-height truck trapped on bridge structure on Eastex Freeway near I-45, TxDOT says
Read full article: Over-height truck trapped on bridge structure on Eastex Freeway near I-45, TxDOT saysAn over-height heavy truck is stuck on a bridge structure on Eastex Freeway southbound at Jefferson Thursday night, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. HOUSTON – An over-height heavy truck is stuck on a bridge structure on Eastex Freeway southbound at Jefferson Thursday night, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. TxDOT reported multiple main lanes of Interstate 69 Eastex southbound at Interstate 45 were blocked due to the incident. Officials said they responded to the call before 7 p.m.No injuries have been reported. TxDOT crews are on scene.
BCycle booms in Houston with bikeshare program
Read full article: BCycle booms in Houston with bikeshare programHOUSTON – Here in Houston, it’s safe to say most of us would like to spend less time sitting in a car. Now, with bike trails becoming even more connected, our city’s bikeshare program – BCycle – is booming. “Currently we have 121 BCycle stations, 800 bikes, 100 e-bikes and more on the way.”The growing number of bikes and stations is a result of growing demand. Unlocking a bike only takes about a minute using the kiosk, or just a few seconds using the BCycle app. For more information on Houston BCycle, click here.
METRO seeing spike in coronavirus cases among workers but most got it away from work, spokesperson says
Read full article: METRO seeing spike in coronavirus cases among workers but most got it away from work, spokesperson saysHOUSTON – Just like the rest of Houston, METRO is seeing a post-holiday-season spike in employees testing positive for the coronavirus. In the middle of the bustling METRO hub in downtown Houston, you will find Lena Heller who wants to help keep the community safe. Since March of last year, 475 of the roughly 4,000 METRO employees have tested positive. AdOf all the positive cases, 228 of the employees had no contact with the public. Meanwhile, METRO wants its riders to know if they’ve been on a bus or train with a coronavirus-positive rider.
Ask 2: How can I get to a voting poll if I don’t have a car?
Read full article: Ask 2: How can I get to a voting poll if I don’t have a car?Question: How can I get to a voting poll if I don’t have a car? Answer: Agencies around town are offering free rides to the polls. The free rides will be offered from Oct. 27-29 and on Nov. 3. BCycleEarly voting is here, and BCycle can get you to your nearest polling location while the lines are still short. Lyft will have 50-percent off one ride up to $10 to any polling location or dropbox using the promo code 2020vote.
Here is some help for families struggling to pay rent
Read full article: Here is some help for families struggling to pay rentHOUSTON – If you or someone you know is behind on rent and struggling to keep a roof over their family’s heads, let them know about RaiseUp Families. The Houston non-profit organization is looking for more clients to offer a hand up through a 9-month program. If your family is chosen, you will receive help with rent, utilities, transportation and childcare while going through budgeting workshops and counseling. 102 or Rose at 713-973-8083, ext 103 to make an appointment to discuss whether or not the program is a good fit. How you can helpRaise Up Families is holding a virtual event online Wednesday, Oct. 21st from 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with a silent and live auction you can participate in online.
HISD Transportation finalizing new routes for returning students
Read full article: HISD Transportation finalizing new routes for returning studentsHOUSTON – HISD’s transportation services are still finalizing bus routes for riders who plan to return for in-person learning and are preparing to notify parents of assigned routes this week. School bus service will be limited when in-person instruction resumes on Oct. 19 due to physical distancing and its impact on bus capacity. To accommodate the reduced capacity, the district says bus service will be limited to special education, homeless, elementary, and specialty school students. The district said bus service will not be immediately provided to high school students, but later could be if COVID-19 conditions improve and bus capacity increases. “Our goal has always been to provide students with safe and reliable transportation to and from school,” Transportation Services General Manager John Wilcots IV said.
By the numbers: Examining disparities within Houston’s transit system
Read full article: By the numbers: Examining disparities within Houston’s transit system40% of bus riders don’t have a carAccording to LINK Houston’s 2018 “Equity in Transit” report, 40% of local bus riders don’t have a vehicle to help them get around the city. 19% of bus riders use only public transportationThe same report found that 19% of people who ride the bus in Houston are using it as their only mode of transportation. According to a research article titled “Racism has shaped public transit and it’s riddled with inequities” written by Christof Spieler that was published by the Kinder Institute in August, 60% of local bus riders are minority. These services cater to suburban riders -- who drive to a location to catch a bus. Local bus riders have to catch the bus near their home and usually walk to a single stop.
A Texas bus driver retires after 41 years of service, 3M miles and perfect driving record
Read full article: A Texas bus driver retires after 41 years of service, 3M miles and perfect driving recordSAN ANTONIO, TX – A San Antonio-area bus driver is retiring with a perfect record. Raul Chapa has recorded more than 3 million miles and 41 years of service with San Antonio’s VIA Metropolitan Transit, KSAT reported. “A couple of days after his passing, I woke up one night and said ‘life’s too short,’” Chapa told KSAT. The National Safety Council awarded him the “Three Million Mile” Award, for his perfect driving record, with no incidents or accidents during his transportation career, KSAT reported. “Because God was my copilot, it was simple and the next thing, I worked for a company that is outstanding,” Chapa told KSAT.
National Drive Electric Week offers consumers a chance to explore electric car movement
Read full article: National Drive Electric Week offers consumers a chance to explore electric car movementHOUSTON – Today in the United States, there are more than one and a half million electric cars on the road. She was drawn to electric cars because of their fast, nimble handling on the road. View virtual EV test drives or hear EV drivers testimonials during NDEW.... Posted by Drive Electric Events on Thursday, September 17, 2020National Drive Electric Week is an opportunity for consumers to see, touch, drive, and learn more about electric vehicles by interacting with current EV owners. (exclusive automotive sponsor) @ClipperCreek and @ElectrifyAm pic.twitter.com/2sjMUGLnJx — Drive Electric Events (@DriveElecEvents) September 14, 2020Many automakers have been slow to embrace the electric car. For them, moving away from gasoline-powered cars and embracing an electric future can help them avoid becoming, in Sexton’s words, “the Kodak of the automotive world.”National Drive Electric Week runs September 26 – October 4, 2020.
METRO prepares to launch Uptowns new Silver Line
Read full article: METRO prepares to launch Uptowns new Silver LineHOUSTON Houston METRO announced their new Silver Line go-date is Sunday, Aug. 23. The line runs from the Northwest Transit Center, traveling on a bus-only flyover bridge that goes over 610 into Post Oak Boulevard. The route continues to the Westpark Lower-Uptown Park Transit Center totaling 5 miles long, with 10 stops along the way, which include eight platforms along Post Oak and then the two transit centers. METRO encourages riders to download their app to pay. To use the Silver Line, itll cost you $1.25, the same as any other service.
Flying taxis in the sky? Uber and Hyundai are working on it
Read full article: Flying taxis in the sky? Uber and Hyundai are working on itUber and Hyundai unveiled a flying taxi that may eventually transform your ridesharing trips. Hyundai is the latest big company to announce that it's developing a flying taxi for trips around cities and suburbs. In October, Hyundai appointed Jaiwon Shin, a longtime NASA administrator, to lead its newly created air taxi division. Batteries powering air taxis will need to deliver better range than currently available. Singh, who worked on self-driving cars before shifting to air taxis, says that autonomous flying vehicles are easier to develop in some respects.
Katy ISD approves measures to bring relief to busing needs
Read full article: Katy ISD approves measures to bring relief to busing needsKATY, Texas – The Katy Independent School District Board of Trustees approved two measures Monday that it hopes will help improve the transportation of students. “The camera system upgrade will provide the latest in technology and safety measures available in school bus transportation,” said Ted Vierling, Katy’s assistant superintendent of operations. The agreement with GoldStar Transit, a Texas-based transportation company, will service at least 40 bus routes for Katy. GoldStar already provides service to school districts such as Fort Bend ISD, Bastrop ISD, Waco ISD, and Navasota ISD. The GoldStar drivers will go through the same training as Katy ISD bus drivers and the company’s buses will display Katy ISD signage and the equipment will be on level with standards set by the school district for all of its buses.
We asked Texans who should regulate Uber and Lyft. Here’s what they said.
Read full article: We asked Texans who should regulate Uber and Lyft. Here’s what they said.Here’s a look at the state-vs.-local fight over ride-hailing regulations, what the new state law means for drivers and customers, and how some Texans feel about the changes.