Not heading to the inauguration? It may still affect your travel plans
The media loves a good party. Almost as much as they love a good story. But the story on Barack Obama’s inauguration is already a mass of doom and gloom travel predictions for Washington.
Traffic alert: Philadelphia’s South Street Bridge closed
The 85-year-old South Street Bridge, a major interchange of the Schuylkill Expressway (I-76), and a gateway to West Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania, and the Fitler and Rittenhouse Square areas of Center City Philadelphia was closed this week. It will take up to two years to replace.
10 travel gifts I’d like to receive (hint, hint)
For weeks, travel “experts” have been inundating us with top ten gift lists of gadgets and gizmos. Since I wouldn’t consider buying most of the items myself, I decided to create my own list — for your consideration. (Hmm, I wonder if my wife is reading this.)
Do we need a Maglev train from to DC to Baltimore?
The Federal Railroad Administration is set to spend $45 million to study three magnetic levitation train projects in Baltimore and Washington, Pittsburgh, and between Atlanta and Chattanooga, Tenn. With Amtrak in a constant budget squeeze, do we really need this?
Travel industry targets Democratic National Convention
While the world is focused on the drama of Barack Obama’s nomination as the Democratic candidate for president, there is furious lobbying and political business going on everyday away from the lenses of TV cameras and out of earshot of pundits discussing unity and polling data. Travel is a big part of this lobbying effort.
Four cities, two countries, one planet: The ultimate green vacation
Short-hop flights are bad for the environment (and less enjoyable every month), but driving is also inefficient and steadily more expensive. Tim Leffel sets out on a family vacation covering four cities, using public transportation for 12 days.
Amtrak funding: Is Congress taking us for a ride?
Now that gas prices have topped $4 per gallon, Congress finally seems ready to give Amtrak a reliable future. But should they? Is city-to-city passenger rail travel relevant to today’s Americans?
Congress sleeps while America’s passenger rail system crumbles
As gasoline prices steadily rise and airfares go up day by day, rail travel is looking more and more like a bargain. The only trouble is, the Amtrak system is literally crumbling and needs federal funding. Congress, who controls the purse strings is asleep at the switch.
Boston to NYC by train has record passengers
Last year, Amtrak’s high-speed Acela Express train carried a record 593,000 passengers from Boston to New York. An Amtrak rep says Acela’s market share on the busy route grew from 36 percent in 2006 to 41 percent last year.
1 dead, 2 hurt in Amtrak accident
An Amtrak train hit three workers who were inspecting tracks in Providence, R.I., Thursday, killing one and injuring the other two, The Boston Globe reports.