Bus travels, Tour and transport

Most subway and bus riders say service has got worse, poll finds

2012-01-30T03:51:00.000-08:00

A majority of riders said their commute has worsened in the last three years, according to a review by Transportation Alternatives.

Of the nearly 700 people surveyed last week, 61% said their subway or bus services has gotten worse since 2009; 13% said it had better and the remaining 26% said it's stayed the same.

"Particularly on the weekend, it's awful," said Karl Green, 39, of Staten Island, as he waited for a downtown train Sunday. "The trains don’t run on time, it's always packed, and trains are not going where they are supposed to be going."

Since 2009, the cash-strapped transit agency has raised fares and made some of the worst service cuts in its history in 2010 when two subway lines were eliminates, along with dozens of bus routes.

“This survey confirms what every bus and subway rider in this metropolis knows,” White said. “Our commutes have gotten worse.

Most straphangers interviewed by NewYork said they have notice service getting worse in recent years.

Find a Charter Bus in Maryland

2012-01-26T02:12:00.000-08:00

Maryland is verily a holidaymaker’s paradise and it is therefore no surprise that tourists flock to Maryland to see the bays, visit the zoos, watch the historic lighthouses and become part of the their unique art and culture. The best and most comfortable way to go around Maryland to see the various tourist spots is traveling by charter bus.

Interestingly, a reporter for National Geographic channel who visited Maryland aptly called the state “Miniature America”. Maryland has it all from majestic mountains to salubrious seashores within about a 3-hour drive from their biggest city, Baltimore. When you are on a holiday, avoid driving yourself and make yourself free to enjoy the splendor and beauty of Maryland by hiring a charter bus.

Choose a reliable charter bus

Like the charter buses in all other cities of United States, you do not have to worry about driving, traffic, or fueling up when availing Maryland charter bus. All you have to do is to sit and enjoy the ride and witness the picturesque sceneries Maryland has to offer.

In Maryland there are many places to go fishing, boating, kayaking or canoeing or whatever water sports you prefer. If you are fond of the outdoors, there are more than 25 beautiful state parks that you can choose from.

Ask your Maryland charter bus to drop you off at one of the plethora of theaters Maryland has and tell them to pick you up at the front door after the program is over. This way, you do not even have to worry about parking space.

All Things Travel: Massport Meetings To Encourage Public Feedback

2012-01-23T01:39:00.000-08:00

Massachusetts desk of Transportation Richard Davey is putting his trample on the Massport Board where he also serves as its Chairman.

Changes are going to take place, both inside and outside the Authority that runs Logan Airport and the cruise terminal in Boston. Some of these changes will bring Massport board meetings more in line with the agenda of the monthly meetings of the MBTA and MassDOT at the Transportation Building downtown.

Starting with the monthly meeting scheduled for February 16 at the Massport Headquarters on the airport’s Harborside Drive, there will be 30 minutes at the opening of each meeting for input from people in the community. They will be encouraged to speak for about three minutes.

Another item to be reviewed is the dollars allocated for gifts to community groups. Finally, discussions will begin on whether parking fees should be increased at Logan Airport and where this extra income might be spent.

Outside the headquarters at this month’s January 19 meeting, the first of 32 large diesel/electric hybrid buses were on display for the first time. Built in Anniston, Alabama by North American Bus Industries, the price tag for each bus is $830,000. They have 39 seats and extra luggage racks.

Thanks : http://boston.cbslocal.com

Dallas Charter Bus

2012-01-17T20:41:00.000-08:00

Worth and the Mid-Cities form the largest metropolitan area in the south-central United States. The Dallas metro area has the largest concentration of corporate headquarters in the U.S.

Dallas attracts business visitors, tourists, and recreational travelers in masses. Metropolitan Shuttle’s network of professional charter buses, bus rentals, bus charters, bus rental rental operators in the Dallas area specialize in group travel and transportation.

Dallas transportation options include charter buses, minibuses, shuttles and vans to and from airports, reunions, business conventions, family reunions, festivals, academic events, sports events, religious events, weddings, and more.

Halloween the Sensational Gut Feeling

2012-01-08T20:41:00.000-08:00

Guys get ready it’s time to celebrate the Halloween party.
Have you chosen your invites???? Has the planning for Halloween started???
Get access to stuff that you had never thought about in your lifetime…..
Choose a costume that is more edgy and just rock on………..

Halloween is a chance for restrained people to let loose and turn spooky, wild, wicked, and naughty almost to do things that are stupid. So this time make sure that Your Halloween is more enjoyable and it will be, but only if you plan for something unusual rather the same dress up. Halloween is known for the dreadful dress up rather anything else. Here you can find few tips concerned with the Halloween costumes for all age groups and some ideas to give an awe factor. Make sure that the makeup and costumes which you wear has a mixed effect of art and science such that it is dreadful.

Dressing up completely different attires is basically fun however finding the simplest and right kind of outfit for Halloween is sort of powerful task. Ton of your time is needed to hold out through analysis then solely you'll return up with the simplest attires. You can go with the cloth primarily based on your style and preference. When it involves wear enticing costume, you've got to be little artistic to consider some special outfits to wear in party.

Interesting information to you “One quarter of all the candy sold annually in the U.S. is purchased for Halloween” isn’t it exciting to know???

Though infants know nothing about the Halloween party it is fun dressing up for them and presenting them in the cutest way. While selecting infant Halloween costumes make sure that you opt for the one which your baby feels comfy. You can check out the various sites which offer the infant costumes and opt for the best one.

When it comes to women there are quite a lot of costumes like princess, bat girl, horror witch, and skeleton with bleeding-heart. While selecting for Halloween women costumes make sure that you opt the best costume suitable for you in varying styles and persona that will help you to look your "best" while you enjoy the partying.

Movie characters are great ideas for boys who wish to dress up for Halloween parties. When it comes to Boy’s costumes in Halloween, harry potter is in the trend. One of the main advantages in dressing up like a movie character for your Halloween party is it will help the onlookers to make out the character.

Adults are the one who make the most of from the Halloween party and they tend to blast off and enjoy off the charts to have a splendid time. When it comes to adult, costumes are available in a wide range like vampire look, deviled egg and many more.

On the whole, the best part of Halloween is that you could become anyone you wanted to be, even if was for one night.
Jackson is a Expert author for Halloween costumes and Women Costumes.He has written many articles like Boy’s costumes. For more information visit our site http://www.costumecenterusa.com.
Contact him at ccusamaster@gmail.com

Treated Timber industry

2011-12-30T01:37:00.000-08:00

I believe most of the experts in treated timber industry have well experienced what happens when wooden furniture and materials have been exposed to water as well as moisture. Non treated timber wooden products swell, crumple and by that usually lose their structure and finally fall apart.

The advisable one before you built your deck is to make sure that the timbers you are going to buy from a big Do-It-Yourself (DIY) store are should be pre-treated timbers. You can easily pick out such treated timbers by its fully greenish color or at least from the outside of the timber. All the timber has undergone major high tech treatments using extremely dangerous toxins and also some amount of arsenic poison also for long lasting.

Even though these timbers have undergone variation of methods due to water and moisture most of the timber products like utility poles, post & columns, wooden fencing posts, pipe bents, timber mats, crane mats gets rots and deterioration.

It is acceptable one that the pre-treated lumbers always do some long last than the common non treated lumbers. Because the untreated timbers never gives necessary stability, durability and strength when we construct or manufacture building or shed and wooden furniture.

No need to seek a professional help while you looking for light treated timber, you yourself can find out such timbers but when you go for well treated timbers, it is sensible to look up some professional help.

Costs spike to transport homeless students to school

2011-12-18T22:18:00.000-08:00

As the number of homeless students continues to rise in Michigan, school districts across the state are struggling to transport and educate them.

Sometimes, schools pay a taxi service to transport homeless students back to the school they attended before they became homeless. Assisting with transportation is required under federal law.

Schools in Washtenaw County spent $5,234 transporting homeless children by taxi in October 2010. This year, the October cab bill spiked to $9,223 for a county that has seen a 40% increase in the number of homeless students in the last two years at 10 school districts and 11 charter schools. Most of the bill ($8,139) was paid by the districts, not the federal government.

"We have families who are moving every three or four days," said Peri Stone-Palmquist, who is in charge of the homeless program for the Washtenaw Intermediate School District. "We feel like we are drowning with the number of families that are calling for help."

Other districts don't have taxi service and rely on busing or give parents gas cards to defray costs.

source : www.freep.com

Bendy bus makes final journey for Transport for London

2011-12-11T22:15:00.000-08:00

The last of London's bendy buses was taken off the roads on Friday night.

The vehicles were used on 12 routes over the past decade but Mayor Boris Johnson called them "cumbersome machines" which were too big for narrow streets and encouraged fare-dodgers.

He has ordered nearly 500 new buses to replace them and promised more vehicles on the routes during the rush hour.

But campaigners said they were "the most accessible bus in London" and would be missed by wheelchair users.

The final route to be operated with bendy buses has been the 207 between Hayes and White City, and the last of the long vehicles was to run late on Friday.

Transport for London (TfL) predicted it would increase its takings by £7.4m because fare-evasion would now become harder.

The "hop-on, hop-off" style of the bendy buses, with few checks on tickets, had encouraged thousands of people to avoid paying.
'Frequently stranded'

But Transport for All, which speaks for older and disabled transport users, said TfL was "nuts" to scrap the vehicles, especially as their new Routemaster-style replacements had only "a tiny wheelchair space".

Source:http://www.bbc.co.uk

Guernsey school bus travel rules delayed

2011-12-05T01:59:00.000-08:00

The introduction of a minimum travel distance for children to qualify to use Guernsey school buses has been delayed The environment department planned to start the restrictions from Monday, but has delayed it until the New Year.

The new measures means pupils who travel less than a mile to school will be barred from using the service The delay is to allow the department to consult further having only received responses from five schools to the proposed changes.

The move follows complaints from parents and schools that some children had been unable to catch the bus as seats were taken by those who lived much closer.

source:www.bbc.co.uk

Free bus travel for visitors to Devon costs county £1m

2011-11-29T21:10:00.000-08:00

Devon has been hit by £1 million of costs after it emerged one-in-five people using free bus passes in the tourism season come from outside the county A Devon County Council survey found it was under-writing the free off-peak travel scheme, enjoyed by Britons over 60, for hundreds of visitors.

The survey revealed that during September 21 per cent of people using a concessionary bus pass were not from the Devon local authority area The figure included 2 per cent from Torbay and 1 per cent from Plymouth, but 18 per cent were residents from beyond the two neighbouring authorities Devon County Council is calling for more funding from Government to pay for the £1 million it cost to pay for outsiders to travel free. Currently, the authority is handed £7 million a year by Government to run the scheme, which also applies to disabled people. But it faces a £5 million shortfall because it costs £12 million in total.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council cabinet member for transport, said: "The concessionary bus pass funding certainly doesn't take into account visitor numbers from other areas.

Source: http://www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk

Free Christmas bus travel for children welcomed by Swansea traders

2011-11-27T20:42:00.000-08:00

TRADERS in Swansea have welcomed plans to allow children free bus travel during the Christmas period Swansea Council has agreed to provide free bus travel for children aged five to 16 in an effort to reduce the costs to families during the festive period while schools are closed And council chiefs hope it will also encourage families to visit the city centre to do their shopping.

The authority believes it could be among the first in the UK to introduce such a scheme, which will cost an estimated £35,000 The free travel offer is between December 22 and January 8 to take in the January sales, and it’s hoped it will provide a significant boost for city centre businesses throughout the Christmas period John Hague, cabinet member for the environment on Swansea Council, said: “We have excellent public transport services in Swansea, boosted by the new city centre bus station.

“The latest offer should help tempt more families to use public transport.”Council leader Chris Holley said: “Christmas can be an expensive time of year for families. We want to try and ease some of the costs by offering free travel for children under 16 “Hopefully this will encourage more families to use public transport and come into the city centre. We expect lots of families to come and visit the Waterfront Winterland attraction “The free travel will certainly help that.”

Read More www.walesonline.co.uk

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Traveling by bus? Choose a safe ride

2011-11-24T01:18:00.000-08:00

With Thanksgiving almost here, many people will be jumping on buses to head home or to grandma’s house.They won’t be alone. Each year about 750 million passenger trips are taken by bus, a mode of travel that has experienced very large growth in the last six to seven years, according to the American Bus Association Foundation.

There is no official data for nationwide bus travel for Thanksgiving week, but Coach USA/megabus.com expects about 60 percent to 70 percent more travelers than during a typical week. “Thanksgiving is one of the biggest travel weeks,” said Dale Moser, the company’s president and chief operating officer.For the week of Nov. 21-27, the company will carry between 160,000 and 210,000 passengers, a 28 percent to 35 percent increase from last year, Moser said.

“With convenient departure options and comfortable motorcoaches with power outlets and Wi-Fi, it's no wonder people are choosing buses over rising gas prices and crowded airports,” U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood wrote in his blog last week. “America's commercial buses are a safe, affordable choice for your holiday travel.”But recent news reports detail companies being put out of business and high-profile crashes.

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Here Comes the Ambulance Bus

2011-11-21T00:26:00.000-08:00

Frisco is the first North Texas City to receive a giant, new tool to respond to large-scale emergencies and major events. And the city plans to share it with the rest of North Texas. It's called an ambulance bus and it's as big as it sounds a fire department can send several ambulances in an emergency, but now Frisco can deploy a 41-foot-long ambulance that has the body of a bus.

"When we're going to help do evacuations or maybe move a nursing home during a power outage or something like that, it allows us to do that with a similar number of people but certainly a lot less space taken up with the vehicles," said Cameron Kraemer, Frisco Fire Department's training division chief. "It certainly offers one more vehicle, one more tool in our toolbox to be able to take care of the citizens of Frisco."

The ambulance bus is like a hospital on wheels. The city said it does the job of 10 regular ambulances the bus can carry six paramedics and up to 20 patients on portable stretchers and gurneys with wheels. Seats fold out for patients that need to sit up rather than lie down. Wheelchairs can be secured to the floor."It's completely reconfigurable to meet the needs of the mission," said firefighter-paramedic Scott Vetterick. "It's nice to know that it's there and it's available. We hope we don't have to use it."a cardiac monitor/defibrillator and five wireless vital sign monitors allow paramedics to send critical information to their commander.

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New Lymmo lines will link Creative Village to SunRail, downtown

2011-11-16T20:58:00.000-08:00

The first concrete step in the future of the Creative Village is coming, in the form of two projects worth $22 million that will more than triple the length of the free bus route through downtown Orlando the work includes dedicated bus lanes, bus stops and other infrastructure that will encircle the Creative Village site, linking its future high-tech workers and students to the upcoming SunRail train system and the rest of downtown.

It will also give Creative Village developers something beyond architectural renderings to point to as they begin to market their 68-acre neighborhood to potential commercial and institutional tenants.

"This is the first stage of going in and getting ready for development," said developer Craig Ustler of Creative Village Development LLC. "This moves us significantly farther down the road. I think it gives us a solid start."

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Fight for a school bus continues

2011-11-13T22:06:00.000-08:00

Parents are determined to ensure that their children’s free school transport will be reinstated in October Bedford Borough Council decided to end the free school transport from Roxton to Alban Academy in Great Barford. Parents fought the proposal because they believe the route is dangerous but the council deemed it to be safe to walk with an adult the move will not save any money as the bus will continue to run and children can use it on a first come first saved basis if they pay.

Following the decision the Save Roxton School Bus parents group decided to write to the Queen and their concerns were passed to the Department for Education but the department’s reply said: “Funding for transport provision is delegated to local authorities and in these difficult economic times the Government expects them to take account of all local circumstances and issues and ensure that value for money can be achieved.

“Local authorities are best placed to determine how their resources are to be utilised and, whilst the Government expects them to take account of their responsibilities, it is not an area in which the Government can intervene.” parent Angie Foster said: “It’s really urgent that we can get our bus reinstated. We are worried that they will look at the bus not stopping in the village at all next year.”

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Charter bus to discontinue service

2011-11-10T22:11:00.000-08:00

Lenzner Coach Lines is discontinuing transit service between Franklin Park and Downtown at the end of the month because of low ridership, the company's president said Tuesday the Ohio Township-based company started running North Hills commuter routes after Port Authority of Allegheny County cut service by 15 percent in late March. Lenzner offered five daily round trips between Marshall and Downtown, and four daily round trips between Franklin Park and Downtown.

The Franklin Park route struggled from the start. Company President Charles Lenzner said the 57-seat Franklin Park buses, on average, carry 10 to 20 passengers lenzner attributed the low ridership to the private service's higher costs and riders migrating instead to Port Authority stops at Rave Cinemas in McCandless and the Perrysville Avenue lot in Ross. Lenzner's fares on the route are $5 each way, compared with $3.25 per trip on the nearby Port Authority routes.

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Safer school buses in Abu Dhabi

2011-11-07T21:07:00.000-08:00

The GPS project, which will be fully operational next year, is part of the Abu Dhabi Education Council’s (ADEC) comprehensive plan to upgrade the transportation requirements in order to ensure the safety and security of children on their way to school and back home “This project has started already and it will be fully active next year. This year, we will complete the installation and testing of the system,” Khaled Al Ansari, Infrastructure and Facilities Division Manager at the ADEC, told Khaleej Times.

The upgrade also included a plan to install surveillance cameras in school buses. But for the pilot phase, eight government schools are being selected to fit three or four of their buses with cameras Al Ansari said the camera installations will be carried out during the first semester break starting on December 18, during which, the project will be closely monitored.

“The ADEC will observe how parents and students are reacting to the new initiative, and will point out the limitations encountered during that period, if any. If the project proves successful, surveillance cameras will be diversified to all public school buses across the emirate,” he stated the ADEC has started the overhaul of the transport system after several cases of neglect and incidents of young girls being subjected to abuse and molestation by unscrupulous school bus drivers and attendants were recorded across the country in separate accidents in 2008 and 2009, two girls, aged three and four, died in the Capital after they were locked inside the school bus for several hours under extreme heat.

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Historic train makes way to Arizona for Centennial tour

2011-11-06T21:04:00.000-08:00

Arizonans can take a trip back in time starting next Thursday when historic Union Pacific Steam Locomotive Engine No. 844 relives the Southern Arizona "Sunset Limited" route in recognition of Arizona's 100 years of statehood.

The engine is scheduled to approach Willcox November 10 and head westward to Tucson for close-up viewing, according to a news release from the Arizona Centennial Commission.

After its stop in Willcox, No. 844 will travel through Benson and Vail for "whistle stops" and arrives in Tucson for its first "display day" on Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The route takes the engine through Coolidge, Gilbert and Tempe before arriving for another "display day" in Phoenix on Sunday, November 13 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. as well as Monday, November 14.

From Phoenix, the engine makes its way back to its original route near Casa Grande, and continues west through Gila Bend, Wellton, and finally arrives in Yuma late in the afternoon on Tuesday, November 15, officials say.

“The adventures of steam locomotives captivate us even today. They literally blazed the trail westward. And, it’s exciting – for train enthusiasts and all of us -- to catch a glimpse of the West as it was more than 100 years ago,” said Karen Churchard, executive director, Arizona Centennial Commission & 2012 Foundation.

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Carriers Enhance Motor Coach Service

2011-11-03T22:25:00.000-07:00

As Greyhound prepares to move from its longtime Downtown bus station to the airport area this month, another change under way in the Memphis motor coach market reflects broader changes in the business nationally.

Carriers are moving toward low-cost, regional, express bus service with amenities like Wi-Fi – and the competition in the Memphis market is heating up.

Greyhound Lines Inc. and Megabus.com are each launching express bus service to and from Atlanta hubs this month.

The new Greyhound Express routes from the Atlanta hub to Memphis and Birmingham, Ala., start Nov. 15.

The next day, Megabus.com begins daily service from Atlanta to Memphis, Birmingham and nine other southeastern cities including Nashville, Chattanooga and Knoxville.

Each company uses a different approach to its transportation network. While Dallas-based Greyhound has hubs in its cities, Megabus.com operates a system without terminals, using curbside stops that border bus terminals instead.

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Red zone bus tour bookings overload phones

2011-11-01T22:29:00.000-07:00

Massive public demand for Christchurch red zone bus tours overloaded phone lines this morning as seats were booked out at a rate of one every 25 seconds.

The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority's (CERA) phone lines were overloaded just half an hour after it started taking bookings for the weekend tours, the first of which starts this Saturday.

CERA general manager of demolitions Warwick Isaacs said its call centre completed 361 bookings in the first two and a half hours, which averaged one booking every 25 seconds.

The calls were taking an average of seven minutes to complete as callers were given safety briefings over the phone.

Mr Isaacs said demand remained very high but overloading had eased back from initial levels.

CERA chief executive Roger Sutton earlier apologised for the frustration.

He reminded callers there would be six buses running every hour for the next six weekends, so there would be opportunities for everyone to experience the trips.

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Making school bus travel even safer

2011-11-01T06:09:00.000-07:00

What's the safest mode of transportation in California?

Here's a hint: They're big, bright yellow and black, and seen most often in early morning and late afternoon hours.

The obvious answer, of course, is the school bus. Oct. 17-21 is state School Bus Safety Week, and the California Highway Patrol and local school districts are observing that milestone with ongoing efforts to educate the public on ways to make things even safer.

CHP Officer Jeffrey S. Butticci is the school bus coordinator and training officer for the Merced area patrol office. He watches over more than 400 drivers who work for 14 northern Merced County school districts.

"School buses are by far the safest mode of transportation," Butticci said. "They (school bus drivers) are top-notch, second to none, when it comes to safety. They are the most highly trained drivers in California."

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Hyundai, Kia No. 2 in Chinese small car market

2011-10-31T02:53:00.000-07:00

Hyundai Motor and its affiliate Kia Motors ranked No. 2 in sales of small vehicles in China during the first nine months of 2011, automotive data showed.

It said the two carmakers saw their ranking climb by four notches on a year-on-year basis by grabbing 10.9 percent of the Chinese market. They were placed at sixth over the same period last year.

The data showed that Hyundai-Kia sold a combined 162,472 units in the compact car segment between January and September.

The companies saw their sales jump 52.2 percent on a yearly basis and overtake Volkswagen, which ranked third with sales of 154,582 units. General Motors topped the list by selling 191,626 units.

GM recorded 12.9 percent in market share and Volkswagen 10.4 percent.

Hyundai Motor’s Verna (dubbed Accent in China) and Kia Motors’ K2 (Pride Hatchback in China) contributed heavily to their rapid sales growth, according to the data.

Sales of the Verna subcompact came to 96,883 units, making it the third bestselling car in China. The K2, made available to consumers in June, reached 22,376 units as of September.

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Connecting Europe: The new EU core transport network

2011-10-23T21:39:00.000-07:00

The Commission has today adopted a proposal to transform the existing patchwork of European roads, railways, airports and canals into a unified transport network (TEN-T). The new core network will remove bottlenecks, upgrade infrastructure and streamline cross border transport operations for passengers and businesses throughout the EU. It will improve connections between different modes of transport and contribute to the EU’s climate change objectives.

European Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas, responsible for transport, said: “Transport is fundamental to an efficient EU economy, but vital connections are currently missing. Europe’s railways have to use 7 different gauge sizes and only 20 of our major airports and 35 of our major ports are directly connected to the rail network. Without good connections Europe will not grow or prosper.”

The new policy follows a two-year consultation process and establishes a core transport network to be established by 2030 to act as the backbone for transportation within the Single Market. The financing proposals published today (for the period 2014–2020) also tightly focus EU transport funding on this core transport network, filling in cross-border missing links, removing bottlenecks and making the network smarter.

The new core TEN-T network will be supported by a comprehensive network of routes, feeding into the core network at regional and national level. This will largely be financed by Member States, with some EU transport and regional funding possibilities, including with new innovative financing instruments. The aim is to ensure that progressively, and by 2050, the great majority of Europe’s citizens and businesses will be no more than 30 minutes’ travel time from this comprehensive network.

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Funds will fuel rapid-bus service

2011-10-21T21:47:00.000-07:00

A day after the City Council approved San Antonio's first modern streetcar line, VIA received $6 million in federal grants, half of which will pay for an extension of its bus rapid transit system into Leon Valley.

VIA officials announced the grants Friday afternoon at a ceremony that included rail supporter Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, U.S. Rep Charlie Gonzalez and Leon Valley Mayor Chris Riley.

VIA received two $3 million grants, the first from the Federal Transportation Administration's State of Good Rapid Program, which will fund improvements at its bus yard, maintenance facility and headquarters, and a second from FTA's Bus Livability Program to fund bus rapid transit in Leon Valley.

Calling the grants competitive, Gonzalez praised the work of VIA staffers.

“They have earned it,” Gonzalez said. “This is something you have earned because of how you have performed.”

VIA is set to launch its bus rapid transit line, called VIA Primo, in late 2012.

The route will include fewer stops and more frequent service, and the buses — longer than a normal VIA bus — will feature a more modern, rail-like feel.

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Colonel Gaddafi’s plea to raging mob: What did I ever do to you?

2011-10-20T21:37:00.000-07:00

BLOODIED Colonel Gaddafi was executed with a single shot to the head — after begging one of his captors: "What did I ever do to you?"

Libya's hated tyrant — found skulking in a drainage pipe in a suburb of his home city — was shown no mercy as he was thrown wounded on to a truck.

It set off for the centre of Sirte two miles away but was surrounded by a baying mob.

The monster was then hauled out — and filmed on mobile phones as he was unceremoniously dragged in agony through the dusty streets.

Blood pouring from his face, the brute behind the slaughter of thousands of his countrymen desperately begged for his life.

But his pleas fell on deaf ears. The Mad Dog — who had been stripped of his shirt — was killed by a bullet to the left temple.

Gaddafi's humiliation did not end there. Angry crowds took off their shoes to batter his dead face with the soles — a dire Arab insult.

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Officials Surprise Charter Buses With Safety Inspections

2011-10-19T21:34:00.000-07:00

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) conducted a surprise safety inspection today of charter buses traveling in the area of Liberty State Park as part its program to try to reduce the number of crashes and fatalities on the Garden State’s busy highways.

This safety inspection comes as states across the country are conducting thousands of surprise inspections of motor coaches and tour buses during the national Passenger Carrier Strike Force, Sept. 23 – Oct. 7.

“We greatly value the important safety efforts led by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to ensure bus passengers are safe,” said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. “The nationwide strike force is an important enforcement tool to hold bus companies accountable so that safety is the number one priority every trip, every time.”

Last week, the US Department of Transportation hosted a day-long Motorcoach Safety Summit in Washington to raise the bar for the motorcoach industry.

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Christmas travel spending to increase, survey says

2011-10-18T03:39:00.000-07:00

Despite continued high unemployment rates and a volatile stock market, American who plan to travel for the holidays expect to spend up to 43% more this year, according to a new survey.

The online survey released Monday by the American Express credit card company found that the percentage of Americans planning to travel for the holidays will stay about the same as last year.

But the survey also found that those Americans who plan to travel expect to spend about $659 on holiday travel this year, an increase of $200, or 43%, over last year.

Most of the additional spending, according to the survey, will go toward dining out and entertainment.

Although most Americans plan to drive to their holiday destinations, the percentage of travelers who will fly is expected to increase 10% to 36%.

"No matter where consumers choose to go, there is a clear interest in getting more out of travel," said Claire Bennett, senior vice president and general manager of American Express Travel.

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Luxury Travel Ltd’s Special Multi-Country Private Tours in Southeast Asia

2011-10-14T22:19:00.000-07:00

Luxury Travel Vietnam designs multi-country touring options, invites elite travelers to experience the luxury, food, culture, lifestyle, travel and charm at its finest of five destinations in Southeast Asia with their great selection of multi-country tours, specially designed to show you the unique way of life and the wonderful sights of each country in one journey.

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Acropolis closed as Greek strikes spread

2011-10-13T21:26:00.000-07:00

Unions and protesters shut down the Acropolis, halted public transport and occupied government buildings on Thursday, intensifying their confrontation with the Greek government as it scrambles to push more painful cuts through parliament.

Greece's largest labor union, the GSEE, sided with protesting public servants and announced plans to strike on Oct. 19 and 20, in opposition to the Socialist government's "ineffective and catastrophic policies," it said.

Stores and even farmers' markets in Athens are also due to close on the first day of the strike.

Public servants are the main targets of new austerity measures, slated for parliamentary approval Oct. 20, that include across-the-board salary cuts, and the suspension of 30,000 workers on the state payroll with reduced salaries.

Pensioners will also see more cuts, and salary earners will pay higher taxes, while parliament has already approved an emergency property tax due to be levies starting this month through electricity bills.

"The recession is deepening, unemployment has rocketed to appalling heights, the economy is collapsing, the living standards of our people has been pushed back decades back," the civil servants' union ADEDY said. "Employees and society are being driven to despair as the (government) pursues its policies that are creating the economic deadlock."

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Bus riders air concerns

2011-10-12T21:24:00.000-07:00

Metro Bus riders tonight complained about decreasing services and vented their frustration over talk of a possible fare increase to cover rising costs and cuts in government subsidies to the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority.

NFTA Commissioner James J. Eagan assured about 45 residents who attended a question-and-answer forum in the Delavan-Grider Community Center that there are no formal plans to increase fares, but stressed the authority faces enormous fiscal challenges.

"We're facing a $15 million deficit. The NFTA is not a for-profit organization. The [Erie] County Legislature [was] kind enough ... to subsidize us with part of the mortgage tax and part of the sales tax. That helps us tremendously," Eagan said.

All 12 members of the NFTA board were invited to the meeting, organized by County Legislator Betty Jean Grant, D-Buffalo. Eagan was the only one who attended.

" We don't know if there is going to be a fare hike. We don't know if it's going to be a quarter or 50 cents. It's certainly not going to be $1," Eagan said.

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Transport for London boss calls for "a century of cycling"

2011-10-11T21:33:00.001-07:00

The president of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), who is also commissioner of Transport for London (TfL), has issued an appeal for “a step change in cycling” in the UK over the next 25 years, which he hopes will deliver a “century of cycling.”

Speaking last week at TfL’s headquarters at 55 Broadway in the inaugural CILT Cycling Lecture, Peter Hendy said that although there was little that could be done about issues such as Britain’s weather, the introduction of “a systematic programme of relatively small and cost-effective measures that will deliver a step-change in cycling in this country over the next 25 years.”

Mr Hendy, himself a keen cyclist, opened his speech by explaining that the fact cycling now had its own CILT Lecture, similar to rail, shipping and aviation, reflected the way in which “cycling is coming to the fore as a transport mode in its own right.”

He went on: “Cycling is a subject that is close to my heart in my dual roles not only as
President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, which enhances the careers of thousands of professionals in the transport sector, but also as this city‟s Transport Commissioner with Transport for London and with a boss who is famously a cycling enthusiast.

“Wearing these two hats – two complementary roles – gives me, I believe, a fascinating and privileged perspective on the growing role of cycling as a 21st century solution within a broad range of public and private transport choices.”

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Transport Bosses Face Quiz On Olympics Traffic

2011-10-10T22:00:00.000-07:00

Transport bosses are preparing to be quizzed on how they plan to prevent London from grinding to a halt during next year's Olympic and Paralympic Games.

London's transport infrastructure is one of the biggest concerns for the International Olympic Committee, who last week said it was an issue they would "have to follow very cautiously until the end."

The Transport for London commissioner, Peter Hendy, will face questions from the London Assembly about how to ensure the millions of extra visitors expected in the capital can move freely during the Games.

The Olympic Delivery Authority is already predicting delays of over an hour on some of the busiest Tube lines, and has identified 22 travel hotspot areas which will struggle to cope with the increased demand.

Caroline Pidgeon, chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, told Sky News they would be asking: "Can each area cope with the number of spectators that are going to be visiting?

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Holiday travel popular as ever

2011-10-09T21:21:00.000-07:00

A CHRISTMAS venture overseas is still a reality for travellers despite many Australian tourists already finalising their holiday preperations.

A boom period for the travel industry, the Christmas holidays are not out of reach for the last-minute traveller, with bargain hunters still able to secure a value for money deal.

Flight Centre Limited global marketing manager Colin Bowman said there were still plenty of great packages available for people to enjoy outside the peak Boxing Day to New Years Day period.

"With just two months to go to until the peak season, interest has been keen in the traditional international and domestic holiday hotspots," Mr Bowman said.

"While you can still book an airfare or room across the Boxing Day to New Year period, there are much cheaper options available in mid December or early in January.

"The best advice we have for travellers is to lock in a deal now, given that this is traditionally the busiest time of the year.

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Bargain train travel to London and more!

2011-10-06T21:58:00.000-07:00

THE Northumberland Gazette has teamed up with East Coast trains to offer readers discounted travel to destinations across the country.

Tokens are appearing in the Gazette and by collecting them you can snap-up East Coast tickets from only £5.50 to York, £12 to London and £4.50 to Edinburgh (all one-way fares travelling from Alnwick or Morpeth).

Two tokens will be available in the Gazette on October 6 and October 13 and one set of four tokens allows up to four people to travel together.

Bookings are made online via a unique booking site detailed below and journeys can be made between October 31 and December 16, for travel on off-peak services with limited availability on Friday and Sunday afternoons.

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Unsustainable bus fares face review

2011-10-05T21:57:00.000-07:00

BUS travel in the Northern Rivers is more expensive than in inner city Sydney, according to the Northern Rivers Social Development Council.

The not-for-profit organis- ation has made a submission to the 2011 review of Rural and Regional Bus Fares which will determine standard bus fares from January 2012.

Social Development Council development and innovation manager Molly Galea said the Independent Pricing and Regu- latory Tribunal review must address the "substantial discrepancies" between bus fares in metropolitan and regional areas.

"The fact that people live in a more sparsely populated area doesn't mean they can afford to pay more, because they can't," Ms Galea said.

"For example, a bus from Parramatta to Sydney is $4.30 but a similar bus trip from Ballina to Lismore is $11.80.

"For people on lower incomes making this journey a couple of times a day, it quickly becomes unsustainable if you are spending $20 a day or $100 a week."

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Gilbert small-business bus tour points out sign woes

2011-10-03T21:26:00.000-07:00

An overly restrictive sign code is keeping some Gilbert businesses from getting noticed and attracting new customers, owners told town officials during a small-business bus tour Thursday morning.

Town Council members and high-ranking administrators joined the Gilbert Small Business Alliance in visiting several companies to hear their challenges and success stories.

Sign regulations quickly emerged as the dominant issue for the businesses, which included a gas station, property management group, an optometrist and a chiropractor.

Over the past several months, Gilbert officials have worked with businesses in a "stakeholders group" to rewrite much of the town's sign code. The proposed changes go before the council for possible approval next week.

The group included representatives of the Alliance, Gilbert Chamber of Commerce, International Sign Association and others. They met eight times and produced a set of amendments intended to make the code "less onerous" for businesses, according to a town staff report.

But the proposed changes won't resolve some of the concerns officials heard during the Alliance bus tour.

Many of the businesses are tucked away in shopping centers and suffer from visibility problems, owners said. They called on town officials to loosen certain sign regulations to give them greater flexibility in marketing themselves.

Houston-based real-estate company Whitestone REIT in July bought Gilbert Tuscany Village, a shopping center on the northeastern corner of Higley and Guadalupe roads. The retail center is home to Rancho de Tia Rosa restaurant and Salon Di Bella but remains mostly vacant.

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Dial-a-bus scheme pilot

2011-10-03T04:27:00.000-07:00

A new pilot dial-a-bus scheme is beginning this week in the South Aberdeenshire Regeneration Priority Area (RPA) which runs from Catterline to St Cyrus.

The 65 Special dial-a-trip is providing a local service for Gourdon and Inverbervie. The bus has been redeployed by Aberdeenshire Councils Public Transport unit, who operate the 65 Special services, and will provide a service into and within Inverbervie every Wednesday.

The bus will offer a demand responsive service picking up passengers at their homes and taking them anywhere in the local community which might include the health centre, Library, shops, or just visiting friends nearby.

Primarily designed for those who are less mobile the service will be provided for anyone in the community with a genuine transport need where suitable public transport is not available. The Wednesday service will also include a morning pick up on demand in Catterline and Kinneff around 9.45am returning around 2.45pm allowing anyone resident in those isolated communities access to Inverbervie for shopping, health visits and social calls.

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School Buses Now Can Take Photos of Passing Cars

2011-09-29T21:43:00.000-07:00

A new state law may make it easier to catch drivers who neglect school bus stop signs.

The law allows school districts to voluntarily install automated camera systems on school buses. The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction is revising its School Bus Specifications Manual to include the new law.

A public meeting on the revisions will be held at 2 p.m., Oct. 7, 2011, in the OSPI building in Olympia.

Substitute Senate Bill 5540, passed by the 2011 Legislature, allows the use of cameras on school buses to identify vehicles illegally passing school buses when students are entering or leaving those buses. The law restricts the camera system to only take pictures of the vehicle and vehicle license plate and not of the driver or any passengers.

The camera systems must be approved by a majority vote of school board members before they can be installed.

Fines from tickets generated through the cameras are identical to fines given by police officers (currently $394). The revenue generated from the automated tickets may be used to offset the cost of the purchase of the camera system and for administrative costs. Any funds remaining are returned to the school district to be used for school zone safety projects.

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'The Magic School Bus': Still rolling after 25 years

2011-09-28T21:42:00.000-07:00

After 131 titles, including TV tie-in editions, The Magic School Bus, a kids series featuring an unflappable teacher, Ms. Frizzle, who leads field trips to places like the solar system, the past or inside the human body, is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

A look at the numbers behind the series, aimed at readers 7 to 10, written by Joanna Cole, a former school librarian and book editor, and illustrated by Bruce Degen:

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Asia Pacific air travel maintains solid growth pattern

2011-09-27T21:26:00.000-07:00

ASIA PACIFIC. International passenger numbers carried by Asia Pacific-based airlines hit 17 million in August, a +3.9% increase over the same period in 2010, according to the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA).

International passenger traffic, measured in revenue passenger kilometre (RPK) terms, grew by +5.3%, reflecting good demand on long-haul routes. Available seat capacity grew by +6.0%, resulting in a slight 0.6 percentage point fall in the average international passenger load factor to 79.3%.

For the region's carriers, international air cargo demand, expressed in freight tonne kilometres (FTK), was -5.8% lower compared to the same month last year.

AAPA Director General Andrew Herdman said: “For the first eight months of the year, Asia Pacific based airlines carried 126 million passengers, +3.5% up on the same period last year. However, air cargo demand remains relatively weak compared to last year's strong performance, with a -3.8% decline in freight traffic for the first eight months of this year.”

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Local teen travels to China for study

2011-09-26T20:55:00.000-07:00

Max Drach, 17, of Wilmington, is no stranger to traveling for his education. Two years ago he left home to enroll as a freshman at Phillips Exeter Academy, a boarding school in New Hampshire.

This summer he extended his education by traveling more than 8,000 miles from Wilmington to attend a six-week program to learn Mandarin Chinese, the standard language of China.

His destination was Chengdu, a city of more than 7 million people in southwest China.

Drach was awarded one of 650 National Security Language Initiative for Youth Scholarships for 2011-12. He joined 15 other scholarship winners studying Mandarin and Chinese culture in Chengdu.

The merit-based scholarship, funded by the State Department, covered all program costs, including travel, tuition and day-to-day expenses.

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Metro riders return slowly

2011-09-25T23:17:00.000-07:00

When Metro axed the Eureka Express bus in 2009, Mary Bolte and nine other regular riders temporarily paid a limo service to shuttle them back and forth to work until the line was restored several months later.

"It was pretty nice," said Bolte, a longtime bus rider who lives in Fenton. "We had happy hours — especially Friday nights — and watched TV."

When the express bus returned later that year, she and others did, too. Still, she added, there are people who left for good.

Overall, Metro has seen only modest growth in passenger boardings since March 2009 transit service cuts led to massive ridership losses. Passenger boardings on Metro buses, MetroLink and Call-A-Ride collectively grew to nearly 43 million during the 12-month period ending June 30.

While that was a near 6 percent bump compared with the previous one-year period, it is still well below the 53.8 million boardings during the year ending June 30, 2008. Because some passengers board multiple trains or buses during a single trip, the counts are inflated somewhat.

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Burnett Transit Bus service grows with community support

2011-09-22T21:42:00.000-07:00

Since 1954, Spencer children have ridden to and from school on Burnett Transit buses. Over the years, the company has expanded to deliver service to Marshfield's Catholic schools, Abbotsford schools and the Mosinee school district.

Combination of work ethic, community and bank support and business vision have enabled the company to grow in a down economy, said Joe Burnett, second generation owner of Spencer-based Burnett Transit.
Workforce

The Midwest has a reputation for employees with a strong work ethic, which is important to the company's growth, he said.

"But another key thing is that there is no one person here that is any more important than someone else," Burnett said. "There can be no weak link in the chain for success. No one will let anyone fall behind or slack off. This provides a work atmosphere for success."

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Senators focus on GMA travels

2011-09-21T21:27:00.000-07:00

THE Senate finance committee yesterday skipped the proposed 2012 budget allocation for the Office of the President (OP) and instead bared a 2009 Commission on Audit report that the OP in the previous Arroyo administration racked up unliquidated cash advances in the total amount of P594,040,619.70, mostly on foreign travels .

Appearing before the budget hearing, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa volunteered additional information that while the COA report for 2010 has yet to be released, their internal accounting showed that the OP, as of December 31, 2010, also incurred unliquidated cash advances totaling P571,190,306.

"This shows the impunity and disregard of the previous administration to what was appropriated and an abuse of (the Arroyo administration’s) fiscal authorization (given by Congress)" said Sen. Franklin Drilon, finance committee chairman.

Drilon, an administration ally, disclosed that in 2009, the OP was only appropriated P30 million in travel expenses but disbursed a total of P848 million for foreign travel and P92.5 million in local trips. As of August this year, Drilon said, the amount of unliquidated disbursements included P367 million in cash advances.

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Man Travels the World in Recycled Bus

2011-09-20T22:44:00.000-07:00

Andy Pag – a self-proclaimed “eco-adventurer” from Croydon, London – was met with a little skepticism when he dreamt up the idea to take a junked school bus on a trip around the world in 2009.

But two years later, Pag, 36, is about to prove all the nay-sayers wrong by ending his 19,000-mile, 25-country journey back in the U.K. on Friday, according to an article published on Tuesday by BBC News Dorset.

Pag first found the salvaged school bus in a scrap yard near his home and drove it 100 miles to a friend’s house in Dorset, England, where he and his buddies fixed it up for its journey.

With the help of Total Vehicle Technology and Oilybits, the fuel-guzzling engine of this repurposed wonder – which Pag later dubbed the Biotruck – was converted to run on used cooking oil.

Pag begged and borrowed used vegetable oil from restaurants when he could, but he was often forced to purchase biofuel in countries where used oil wasn’t available enough to fuel the truck.

The truck – which has a massive 317-gallon fuel tank – usually travels about 3,100 miles for each full tank of fuel, according to the BBC.

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NZ junior cyclists impress at world champs

2011-09-19T21:44:00.000-07:00

New Zealand riders Jason Christie and Georgia Williams have made strong starts to the world road cycling championships in Copenhagen.

Christie (Ashburton) and Williams (Auckland) placed sixth in the time trials of the men's under-23 and junior women's events, respectively, through the streets of downtown Copenhagen, the opening races of this year's world championships.

Christie, 20, was 12th through the first time check and worked his way to ninth fastest after the first lap at the 17.6km mark. He continued to lift his pace to improve to sixth in 44 minutes 47.61 seconds for the 35.2km test won by Luke Durbridge, a member of Australia's world champion team pursuit combination on the track earlier this year, in a stunning 42:47.13.

The Ashburton rider was pleased with his performance in tricky conditions.

''It was pretty good. I think it could have been a little bit better but I am happy with sixth in the world for under-23s. I can't complain with that,'' Christie said.

There was plenty of support for the riders in the opening races of the world championships in the cycle-centric city where 60 per cent of the population ride bikes, most of them as their primary means of daily transport.

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Travel Vietnam and Cambodia in luxury with APT

2011-09-19T02:04:00.000-07:00

APT’s 18-day tour of Indochina is a remarkable adventure on which you will enjoy unparalleled standards of luxury. Combining 11 nights of guided touring and a seven-night river cruise, you will discover a vibrant, exotic culture, beautiful scenery and remarkable historical relics – including many places that are accessible only by water.

In Vietnam and Cambodia, APT offers two intimate vessels. MS La Marguerite is one of the ﬁnest ships on the Mekong, with just 46 suites and an elegant art nouveau-inspired design. This year, she is joined by the newly launched MS AmaLotus, an equally luxurious vessel with 62 suites.

On board, you’ll enjoy excellent cuisine and the attention of a knowledgeable APT tour director – local to the area and who speaks ﬂuent English. They remainon hand to ensure that your holiday goes smoothly.

Shore excursions are led by expert local guides and conducted in groups of no more than 25, so you can be sure of individual attention and can immerse yourself fully in the culture of the places visited. What’s more, the price of the cruise includes all soft drinks, beer and spirits on board, plus wine at lunch and dinner and all tips.

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Parents Bus Tour

2011-09-14T21:35:00.001-07:00

On yesterday a group of parents, educators, community leaders, and more participated in the Parent Power Express Bus Trip, a two-day, 9 stop bus tour which involved cities/towns from San Diego to Sacramento, CA.

The event was co-sponsored by The Parent Revolution and the Los Angeles View Park Section of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW). The bus tour’s mission was to highlight the organization efforts of parents throughout the state, on how they are utilizing the new “Parent Trigger Law” to help improve their children’s low-performing schools. The tour started with a breakfast workshop in San Diego.

This writer picked up the tour in South Central Los Angeles when they arrived at the home of a Woodcrest Elementary Parent. At that location a group of the school’s parents (from Woodcrest) hosted a presentation on the local school district’s Public School Choice program. Some of the parents also shared information on what they perceived to be obstacles to their students receiving a quality education – and some solutions. In addition this group of parents has formed their own independent parent organization.

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Duncan Talks Back-To-School Bus Tour

2011-09-13T21:41:00.000-07:00

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan just returned from a three-day bus tour of schools in Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland and other cities that are struggling economically. He speaks with host Michel Martin about his tour and how investing in schools relates to President Obama's jobs plan.

MICHEL MARTIN, host: I'm Michel Martin and this is TELL ME MORE from NPR News. The school year is just beginning and already some students are learning hard lessons. At the University of Akron, an email meant to advise black male students on how to deal with the police has sparked an uproar. We'll hear from a critic of the email plus a university official who is himself a black man about why he thought the email was tough to swallow but necessary. But first, a newsmaker interviewer with the secretary of Education, Arne Duncan.

He started this school year by heading back to class himself. As part of his back to school bus tour, the secretary has met with students, teachers, and administrators in Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago and other schools in the Great Lakes region to drive home the message that, quote, "education is the economic strategy for the 21st century." The bus tour wrapped up this past weekend. We caught up with Secretary Duncan earlier and he joined us from his Washington, D.C. office.

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China's Largest Bus Manufacturer Selects Maxwell Technologies'

2011-09-12T21:39:00.000-07:00

Maxwell Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: MXWL) announced today that Zhengzhou Yutong Bus Co., Ltd. (Yutong), China's largest bus manufacturer, has selected Maxwell ultracapacitors for energy storage and power delivery in fuel-efficient, low-emission, diesel-electric hybrid buses that Yutong is producing for public transit agencies worldwide.

Yutong's hybrid drive system incorporates 16 of Maxwell's 48-volt ultracapacitor modules to support braking energy recuperation and torque assist functions that enable hybrid transit buses to achieve fuel savings and CO2 emission reduction of approximately 25 percent and reduce particulate emissions by up to 90 percent compared with conventional diesel buses.

"Ultracapacitors' ability to charge and discharge rapidly enables them to efficiently capture regenerative braking energy and provide instant power for acceleration," said Wang Feng, Yutong's overseas marketing director. "In addition, their long operational life and minimal maintenance requirements in demanding public transit operating conditions make ultracapacitors a very cost-effective energy storage solution for hybrid buses."

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CUSTOM MARINE FENDER SYSTEMS

2011-09-11T21:18:00.000-07:00

Our custom marine fender systems protect the waterfronts at marinas, ports, piers, and docks all across the country.

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NSW Govt faces transport pressure

2011-09-08T21:42:00.000-07:00

The New South Wales Government is facing a three-pronged attack over its transport policies.

At the top of the list are reports that Cabinet is considering a proposal to overhaul security arrangements on the state's rail network.

The state's 600 transit officers would be sacked.

Instead the number of police dedicated to transport duties would be doubled from 300 to 600.

Transit officers have more limited powers to arrest and demand identification from passengers, and are armed only with a baton.

The position was created in 2002 because of concerns about private security guards who were then patrolling trains.

Opposition spokeswoman Penny Sharpe says fewer staff would put safety at risk.

"The question is, who is best to do the security? There are currently dedicated staff who have provided that role," Ms Sharpe said.

In early 2009 there were reports the then Labor government considered a very similar proposal.

Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian, then in opposition, condemned the prospect of any cut to security resources.

Back in the present, Ms Sharpe has also taken aim at the Government over legislation giving freight trains priority over passenger services, and the time-line for extending the Sydney Light Rail network.

An extension of the tram system further into the city's inner west, from the current final stop at Lilyfield to Dulwich Hill, was to have been completed by the end of next year.

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Google internet awareness bus arrives on 40-day tour

2011-09-07T21:47:00.000-07:00

An internet bus introduced by the Google arrived here on Tuesday and will travel across the state touching several towns in Gaya, Bhagalpur, Darbhanga, Nalanda, Bhojpur, Katihar, Saran and Purnia districts in the next 40 days.

Commenting on the journey of the internet bus which began from Tamil Nadu in February 2009, Google India managing director (R&D) Peeyush Ranjan said here on Tuesday, "The internet has positively touched the lives of more than 100 million people in India. It has been very exciting to see people from different walks of life visit the bus and learn about what internet could do for them."

He said that the bus has created interest among the people of 10 states covering more than 2,000 locations and touching the lives of more than 56 lakh people across 120 towns. "Surveys have indicated that more than 15 lakh people have gone online for the first time after visiting the bus," Ranjan said and added, "We hope to create awareness about the internet and believe that continuous efforts will enable the common man to utilize the power of knowledge and information for economic prosperity."

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PIPE SUPPORTS & EQUIPMENT SUPPORT SADDLES

2011-09-06T22:23:00.000-07:00

We have decades of experience producing custom support saddles and pipe supports for the transport or storage of horizontal pressure vessels and steel pipes. Our support saddles and pipe supports are made of solid hardwood and steel hardware. We create each order based on the exact components our clients need for a successful project. Learn More

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Jeju City to trial tour bus service next month

2011-09-05T21:46:00.000-07:00

Starting Oct. 1, Jeju City will begin a trial run for a bus that will make stops at tourist attractions within the city.

According to Jeju City Hall, it will run 10 times a day from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. starting from the Jeju City Bus Terminal and stopping at 14 places.

The bus route will include the Jeju Starlight World Park and Planetarium, Saryuni forest road, Jeju Stone Park, Julmul Nature forest lodge, Roe Deer Observation Path, Port, Dong, Seomun market, Yongduam and Jeju International Airport among other destinations.

It will take approximately an hour and a half to travel the entire route.

A bus ticket will cost 5,000 won for adults, 3,000 won for elementary, middle, and high school students, disabled and armed forces veterans. The ticket enables the holder to stop as many times as they wish during the day of purchase.

The trial will run until November, and Jeju City is planning to re-run the service from March to May next year, analyze the outcome, and look to ways to privatize it.

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Go Ahead profits up as bus travel booms

2011-09-04T22:46:00.000-07:00

PUBLIC transport firm Go Ahead Group said profits rose 14% in its last financial year, adding that its performance was “in line with expectation”.

The Newcastle business said a profit rise to £115.1m and a 6% jump in revenue from £2,167m to £2,297m was “further evidence of consumers switching from cars to public transport”.

The company is one of the largest bus operators in the UK, with around 21% of the market share in London, and has a 65% majority holding in Southern, Southeastern and London Midland rail franchise operator Govia.

Pre-tax profit for the year to July 2 was up 11.3% from £87.7m to £97.6m, and the company added the new financial year had “started well”.

Chairman Sir Patrick Brown said: “Despite facing challenging economic conditions in the last 12 months and the adverse weather in the first half of the year, all of our operations have seen growth in like-for-like passenger revenue and passenger journeys.

“Our bus and rail operations remain fundamentally strong and have benefited from passengers leaving their cars at home and choosing better value public transport alternatives.”

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Atlanta Charter Buses, Shuttle Bus, Tour Bus

2011-08-10T21:21:00.000-07:00

Metropolitan Shuttle offers charter bus and shuttle services in Atlanta, Georgia. Many people are drawn to Atlanta every year for conferences, meetings, and celebrations. Atlanta, one of the nation's largest international hubs, plays host to some of the world's most spectacular conventions and events.

Simplify your transportation in Atlanta and the surrounding area using the resources of Metropolitan Shuttle. Through our network of connections we can help you charter a bus or multiple buses that will make your traveling as comfortable and as cost-effective as possible. Transportation options include charter buses, bus rental, bus charters, bus rentals and shuttles to and from airports, reunions, business conventions, family reunions, festivals, academic events, sports events, religious events, weddings, and more.

For a free quote call us now at 1-866-556-3545

These are only a few of the events, attractions and places in and around Atlanta, Georgia that Metropolitan Shuttle offers charter buses and transportation services for:

Airports: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, DeKalb-Peachtree Airport, Atlanta/Fulton County Airport

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Accompanying Hardware and Fasteners

2011-08-09T23:12:00.000-07:00

Gulf Coast Treated has all the hardware components you need to complete your project. We stock an extensive line of basic hardware and fasteners, as well as many types of hard-to-find and custom components hardware for a large variety of projects. We ship your hardware with the rest of your order so you have everything you need when your shipment arrives.
Domestically Produced Hardware

We carry domestic galvanized and stainless steel hardware. When you order, just specify that you need domestically produced hardware for your project. Call us at 877-302-8911 or contact us online for more information.

Our extensive line of Hardware & Fasteners includes:

* Stainless steel and galvanized nuts and washers
* Stainless steel and galvanized hex screws
* Coated deck screws
* Post base anchors
* Simpson connecting plates and joist hangers
* All thread & tie rods
* Nails

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Albuquerque Charter Buses

2011-08-09T03:00:00.000-07:00

Albuquerque is New Mexico's only major metropolis with more than half a million people and has become an attractive business and tourist destination. Metropolitan shuttle offers professional charter buses and transportation services to all major conventions, events and gatherings throughout Albuquerque and the surrounding area. Charter buses and shuttles will provide you with worry-free, comfortable transportation during your stay.

For a free quote call us now at 1-866-556-3545

These are only a few of the events, attractions and places in and around Albuquerque, New Mexico that Metropolitan Shuttle offers charter buses and transportation services for:

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Custom Production

2011-08-05T04:07:00.000-07:00

GULF COAST TREATED has a long history as an expert manufacturer of custom treated timber products and components for commercial and industrial projects. Our modern production facilities and equipment combined with decades of industry experience make us uniquely qualified to manufacture products that not only meet your exact project specifications, but greatly exceed your expectations as well.

Call us at 877-302-8911 or contact us online to discuss how we can help you meet your project goals.
YOUR COMPLETE SATISFACTION IS OUR TOP PRIORITY

Based on our clients' design, blueprints, instructions, or drawings, we manufacture a variety of custom products from beautiful fireplace mantles to complex and immense timber bridges.
Areas of production in which we have extensive experience include:

* Timber trusses
* Custom corbels
* Solid wood columns

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Event Transportation

2011-08-03T05:42:00.000-07:00

Metropolitan Shuttle specializes in transportation to and from business events & conventions, family reunions, weddings, graduations, religious gatherings & events, festivals, sports events, and other special events held throughout the nation. Metropolitan Shuttle has established working relationships with more than 200 of the most professional and reliable charter bus and shuttle operators throughout the United States that specialize in group transportation to and from such events. Groups of all sizes benefit from the luxury of charter buses and shuttles and our clients can be confident that everyone in their group will arrive safely and on time.

Traveling to and from special events in a luxurious coach, charter bus, or shuttle will eliminate the costs of taxis and rental cars allowing groups to travel comfortably together. Metropolitan Shuttle makes traveling to and from special events, conventions, and other gatherings easy and surprisingly affordable, especially when traveling in larger groups. Because of our extensive experience in event transportation and our network of charter bus partners spread throughout the nation your options are unlimited when it comes to group sizes and needs.

Metropolitan Shuttle always offers competitive prices and unequaled service. Browse our list of cities where we offer group transportation options and call one of our professional event transportation planners for more information regarding group travel.

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Treated Timbers

2011-08-02T01:50:00.000-07:00

Gulf Coast Treated Piling and Timbers supplies treated timbers for a variety of uses. Our timbers are commonly used in ranch and farm projects, marine and shoreline construction, and a wide range of commercial and industrial applications.
Timber Grades

Our Southern Yellow Pine is graded #2 and better. In addition, we also stock cedar, redwood, fir, and other hardwood timbers. If you need timbers of a greater strength and higher grade, we can custom select and treat timbers for your specific application or need. Need your timbers milled smooth? No problem! We also offer custom drilling, custom cutting, and custom production to your specific needs.
Oversized Treated Timbers

Our clients count on us to provide large and oversized timbers as their projects demand. These specially made timbers are used in a variety of applications, such as farm and ranch projects, waterfront construction, and commercial and industrial applications.

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School Bus Charters and Rentals by Metropolitan Shuttle

2011-07-28T20:30:00.000-07:00

Metropolitan Shuttle specializes in group transportation services throughout the United States. We have established relationships with group travel agencies in nearly every major metropolitan area. Transportation rentals include charter buses, bus rental, bus charters, bus rentals, minibuses, school buses, luxury coaches, and other group shuttle vehicles. Large school buses are available for group travel to and from reunions, conventions, reunions, and other types of business, cultural, or family gatherings.

Because of our extensive experience in the group transportation industry, our extensive network of tour bus rental partners, and our excellent management practices, you can rest assured that you will receive the best value for your money. Renting a school bus or shuttle bus from Metropolitan Shuttle will be a comfortable, cost-effective, and memorable experience for you and your group.

Contact us today and let our friendly, professional shuttle planners help you work out the logistics of your travel.

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Polymer Coated Wood

2011-07-27T21:13:00.000-07:00

What Are the Advantages of Polymer Coated Wood?

Polymer coated wood is stronger, more durable, easy to use, and cost-effective. It can be applied to standard and custom sized wood products and can be applied selectively to just a section of wood that requires extra protection. Handling and using polymer coated wood requires no special tools or precautions.

Zone coating of treated timbers and pilings will protect the wood in areas where failure is most likely to occur, such as at the water or ground line. Contact us online or call us at 877-302-8911 to discuss zone coating of your lumber products. Poly coated wood also assures environmental protection because it prevents the leaching of chemicals used for treating the wood into the surrounding soil or water.

Our polymer coated materials are manufactured to pass building code tests and standards. Our unique polymer coating was created to increase the service life of building materials and can be added after specifications

Our poly coating field patch kit allows you to cut and saw polymer coated wood to your required lengths and shapes, then re-apply the coating as needed.

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Shuttle Van Charters and Rentals by Metropolitan Shuttle

2011-07-26T20:25:00.000-07:00

With over 250 affiliated partners nationwide, Metropolitan Shuttle offers one of the largest selections of group transportation vehicles in the nation. Shuttle vans and passenger vans are a comfortable, affordable alternative to caravanning. It also allows groups to travel together to and from the destination.

Taking a shuttle van in place of rental cars or taxis will eliminate wasted time spent parking and walking long distances. Likewise, groups traveling in shuttle vans eliminate the frustration of driving and can rest assured that the whole group will arrive safely and on time.

Metropolitan Shuttle is a full service provider of shuttle vans,charter buses, bus rental, bus charters, bus rentals, minibuses, and deluxe luxury coaches which are available for group transportation in every major US metropolitan area. Shuttle van services include transportation to and from airports, reunions, business conventions, family reunions, festivals, academic events, sports events, religious events, weddings, and more.

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Polymer Coating for Maximum Durability

2011-07-25T20:57:00.000-07:00

Polymer coating for our wood products provides extra protection from termites, marine borers, UV rays, freezing, and rot. This tough polymer membrane bonds to wood, preventing destruction from various elements that will reduce the life of the product.

Polymer coated wood is stronger, more durable, easy to use, and cost-effective. It can be applied to standard and custom sized wood products and can be applied selectively to just a section of wood that requires extra protection. Handling and using polymer coated wood requires no special tools or precautions.

Zone coating of treated timbers and pilings will protect the wood in areas where failure is most likely to occur, such as at the water or ground line. Contact us online or call us at 877-302-8911 to discuss zone coating of your lumber products. Poly coated wood also assures environmental protection because it prevents the leaching of chemicals used for treating the wood into the surrounding soil or water.

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Minibus Charters and Rentals by Metropolitan Shuttle

2011-07-25T00:31:00.000-07:00

Traveling in minibuses is ideal for smaller groups of up to 28 people. Traveling to and from airports, events, and other types of gatherings or attractions is much more economical and practical in a minibus as opposed to expensive rental cars or taxis. Plus, minibuses allow the entire group to travel together and arrive at the right place at the right time. Minibus rentals also eliminate the frustration of parking and driving in unfamiliar areas.

Metropolitan Shuttle offers top of the line minibus charter rentals throughout all major U.S. cities for groups of all sizes. At Metropolitan Shuttle we have an excellant track record in the transportation industry and can help clients make the most of their group travel. Our expert planners are available to help design and deliver quality minibuses, larger charter buses, bus rental, vans, and shuttles according to the size and budget of the group. Minibus services include transportation to and from airports, reunions, business conventions, family reunions, festivals, academic events, sports events, religious events, weddings, and more.

Contact us today and let our friendly, professional shuttle planners help you work out the logistics of your travel.

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Solid Wood Columns

2011-07-22T21:29:00.000-07:00

Solid wood columns can be used for both interior and exterior projects, as well as in water. For use inside, solid columns are often kiln dried to arrive ready for installation. Or, before installation, kiln dried wood columns can be stained or painted. When solid wood columns are manufactured for exterior projects, we pressure treat them to the appropriate level for the specific project need, ranging from ground contact treatments for regular exterior applications to saltwater treatments used in marine bulkheading projects.

Need super-longevity? We also offer solid wood columns coated with ourspecial polymer coating.This durability enhancing coating is especially useful for projects in or around water.
Choose Your Wood Type

Solid wood columns are available in oak, cedar, pine, Douglas fir, and other types of wood as requested. Our consultants will help you select the most appropirate wood type based on the dimensions you need and other specifications of your project.

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Deluxe Coach Charters and Rentals by Metropolitan Shuttle

2011-07-21T21:18:00.000-07:00

Metropolitan Shuttle is a full service provider of deluxe coaches, charter buses, tour buses, bus charters, charter rental buses, bus rentals, minibuses, and shuttle vans suited for the transportation of groups of all sizes. Large deluxe coaches can usually seat up to 55-57 people and offer many luxurious amenities to make travel as comfortable as possible. It is our goal to make group travel as seamless and worry-free as possible.

We offer our clients door-to-door convenience, customized, reliable service, and centralized billing. Many of our bus rental partners have top of the line, deluxe motor coaches, most of which include PA systems, reclining seats with plenty of leg room, adjustable foot rests, individual reading lights, restrooms, overhead racks for carry-on bags, climate-controlled air conditioning & heating, tinted picture windows for clear glare-free vision, weather-proof luggage compartments, heavy duty shocks for a smooth ride, and audio/video equipment.

Because of our extensive experience in the group transportation industry, our extensive network of rental partners, and our excellent management practices including constant monitoring of our network providers, you can rest assured that you will receive the best value for your money anywhere in the country. At Metropolitan Shuttle prices are always competitive and service is unequaled.

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Vinyl Sheet Pilings

2011-07-21T02:19:00.000-07:00

What can you get with vinyl sheet piling from Gulf Coast Treated? When using our vinyl sheet piling, your bulkhead or retaining wall will have superior longevity, strength, and erosion protection.

In our extensive line of strong and long-lasting vinyl sheet piling, we offer multiple brands and profiles to meet the needs of most any project. Our consultants are standing by to help you select the best vinyl sheet piling as well as other materials you may need, such as treated wood, fastener kits, and hardware. We'll help you place a complete order that will be shipped as a ready-to-build package.

Contact us online or call us at 877-302-8911.

Longevity and Cost-Effective Construction

Using vinyl sheet pilings from Gulf Coast Treated allows you to enjoy cost-effective construction of your project. Our materials can be installed and handled with light equipment, reducing your labor and equipment costs. Also, with 12 to 24 inches of coverage per panel, installation is fast, saving you time and money.

What Types of Vinyl Sheet Piling are Available?

We carry Tidewall and Everlast vinyl sheet pilings in stock, and we can order Shoreline pilings as needed. All profiles meet standard construction and design specifications for their intended applications.

Contact us online or call us at 877-302-8911 to discuss your project and determine which option is best for you.

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Birmingham Charter Buses

2011-07-19T21:17:00.000-07:00

Metropolitan Shuttle offers charter buses and shuttle services in Birmingham, Alabama. Located in the foothills of the Appalachians, Birmingham is the states largest city, with a population of nearly one million people.

With the city's increasing popularity, conventions and events have become a huge part of the city's thriving economy. Birmingham has developed into a business gathering and tourist hotspot with nationally recognized dining, shopping, entertainment and events. Thus, thoroughly planning your transportation and traveling has become extremely important.

Charter buses offer cost-effective convenience to and from any type of group event. Metropolitan shuttle offers professional charter buses, bus rental, bus charters, bus rentals and transportation services to all major conventions, events and gatherings throughout Birmingham and the surrounding area.

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Charter Bus Dallas Company Launches New Service For The Annual Texas State Fair For 2011

2011-07-18T21:33:00.000-07:00

Eagle Tours Inc. is excited to offer to customers discounted group ticket sales for Dallas’ Texas State Fair which takes place between September 30 and October 23 of this year. For groups of 20 or more traveling to the fair, the company will discount regularly priced tickets by a full 20 per cent (details can be found on their website). The charter bus Dallas and charter bus San Antonio company, has an extensive fleet of buses which will provide hassle-free travel for attendees so they will be free to enjoy the fair without having to worry about driving in high traffic or parking.

The fair opened in 1886 to a crowd of 14,000 and today is one of the largest in the country with a 2010 attendance of more than 2.6 million. Entertainment choices are extensive, to say the least, with more than 70 amusement rides and exhibits featuring everything from the latest and greatest automobiles to the most delicious jams and jellies found anywhere.

In addition to hosting the biggest new car and truck show in the Southwest, judges evaluate 7,000-plus creative arts entries and 8,000 livestock entries annually, many of which are auctioned.

But there’s even more with pig races and dog shows, music concerts, a BMX bicycle show, the U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps, and a lot more including being “the fried food event of the year.”

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Forests can store more carbon emissions

2011-07-17T21:22:00.000-07:00

A latest study showed that the role of forests as carbon dioxide (CO2) stores was much bigger than previously thought.

The findings were published in the latest issue of the journal "Science" on Thursday.

From 1990 to 2007, 8.8 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) were released in the world through the use of fossil fuels, but around one third of them were absorbed by forests, according to the study.

The woods are responsible for the entire terrestrial storage of CO2 while agricultural land, grassland and tundra played no role at the global level as CO2 are absorbed as much as they emit, said one of the authors, Anatoly Shvidenko, from the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) in Laxenburg near Vienna.

The conclusion was made after analysing the relationship between the area change of the forests and green fields and the content change of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

The important role of forests as a global "vacuum cleaner" of climate-damaging greenhouse gas CO2 has long been clear but the new data have proved their higher importance as terrestrial CO2-sink, the IIASA said.

Figures showed that the still not destroyed tropical rain forests are responsible for the inclusion of more than 1 billion tons of carbon per year.

The boreal coniferous forest in northern zones, primarily in Canada and Russia, swallows some 500 million tonnes per year, while the forests in the temperate zones stores annually around 780 million tonnes of carbon.

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STM testing air conditioning on city buses

2011-07-14T21:46:00.000-07:00

A Montreal bus ride in the dead of summer can resemble a trip to a sauna at times, but the Société de transport de Montréal is looking into a way of changing that.

The STM has launched a pilot project by installing air conditioning on 15 buses running on seven bus lines in the city, and then asking users what they think of it.

Last year the STM dismissed the idea of air conditioned buses and metros as too expensive, but the transit corporation is now re-thinking the idea.

"We want to do a study on the impact on the carbon, the environmental impact," said STM spokesperson Isabelle Tremblay, "but also the cost."

And therein lies the hook, the STM is not saying for now how much installing such a system on a larger portion of the fleet would cost.

Instead, they are gauging the reaction of riders to the newfound comfort, and thus far, the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive.

But the STM is also asking people whether they'd be willing to pay higher fares for a cooler ride.

"Here the buses are cheap anyway, public transit is cheaper than Toronto and all that," one rider told CTV Montreal's Derek Conlon. "So if we get air conditioning, it costs money, so we'll pay."

But not everyone necessarily agrees.

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Lumber Prices Rising on Exports

2011-07-13T21:19:00.000-07:00

A contract for 110,000 board feet of lumber traded for as much as $320 in mid-March before plummeting below $220 in mid-June. Now lumber is rising again and it could be one of those times when supply can’t keep up with demand. But not for the usual reasons.

Traditionally, homebuilding soaks up a lot of U.S. timber production, but the market for new houses is very soft and has been for two years or more. Timber companies have been supported primarily by exports to Asia and real estate sales. Timber producers like Pope Resources LP (NASDAQ: POPE), Rayonier Inc. (NYSE: RYN) and Plum Creek Timber Co. Inc. (NYSE: PCL) have seen share prices rise from nearly 20% to more than 80% in the past 12 months. The Guggenheim Timber ETF (NYSE: CUT) is also up more than 20% in the past 12 months. Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) and Lumber Liquidators Holdings Inc. (NYSE: LL) have seen stock prices fall — Weyerhaeuser when it converted to a REIT in July 2010, and Lumber Liquidators last week when the company cut its forecast for 2011.

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City to hear request for tour bus from visitor’s bureau

2011-07-12T22:47:00.000-07:00

The City Commission will vote on the purchase of a 2000 Freightliner Goshen Coach Bus under the advisement of Convention and Tourism Director Sally Fuller during this evening’s regularly scheduled meeting.
Fuller will be requesting $15,000 to purchase the item. The vehicle is not currently listed on the Tourism Department’s budget. The bus, Fuller said in a memo to the commission, will be purchased from the Liberal Bee Jays if approved.
“The Convention and Visitors Bureau is requesting to purchase a 2000 Freightliner Goshen Coach from the Liberal Bee Jays Association,” Fuller noted. “This request is in the amount of $15,000 and is a non-budgeted item. Sufficient funds for this purchase are available through the Convention and Visitors Bureau.”
Fuller said the bus will be used for official city use and not available for use by outside organizations.
Fuller listed several possibilities regarding the utilization of the bus, if the purchase does, in fact, pass the vote of the commission.

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Timber Smuggling: Four truckloads seized

2011-07-12T03:36:00.000-07:00

The police claimed to have foiled an attempt to smuggle a huge quantity of timber to Punjab here on Monday.

The cost of the seized timber was estimated at over Rs2 million.

Police and forest sources said that after receiving a tip-off regarding the smuggling of timber to Punjab via GT Road, two police parties were deployed in the limits of Panian Chowki and Jhari Kas. During the search, the police impounded four trucks bearing registration Nos. GLT 625, GLT 2561, GLT 4677 and GLT 6694 and recovered 499 logs typically used in construction.

The police also arrested the four truck drivers but none of the owners was booked as they were not present at the scene.

It may be added that organised gangs of lumberjacks have been involved in tree felling in Haripur and upper Hazara division. They transport the timber through Tarbela Lake on boats, from where they load the logs onto trucks for shipment to Punjab and farther down country.

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Luxury Sightseeing Bus Tours To Leeds Castle With Golden Tours

2011-07-10T23:14:00.000-07:00

Golden Tours’ Leeds Castle bus tour will irrefutably leave you enraptured. Once you visit Leeds Castle, the redoubtable, grandiose landmark, you can then explore the stunning White Cliffs of Dover, alluring Canterbury Cathedral, and architecturally exceptional Greenwich, for an all in all extraordinary coach tour from London.

Take a thrilling coach tour from London to majestic Leeds Castle. There is no end to the activities you can undertake once you have reached the castle: why not witness a captivating falconry show, try the golf course, or even, for a particularly unique, distinctive and altogether spectacular experience, go on a hot air balloon flight? Or just traverse the grounds of imposing, grand Leeds Castle with your Leeds castle tickets.

Why not go on a package tour which includes not simply Leeds Castle, but also delightful Dover, charming Canterbury and, finally, picturesque Greenwich? Golden Tours provides just such an exhilarating day tour from London. The White Cliffs of Dover need no introduction: they possess great fame as archetypes of natural splendour. Canterbury Cathedral is an incredible landmark which will undoubtedly bewitch you with its opulence. Finally, Greenwich has its own entrancing architecture, particularly its Old Naval College.

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Sino-Forest delays tour of its assets; shares dive

2011-07-08T21:32:00.000-07:00

Embattled Chinese forestry company Sino-Forest said on Wednesday it has postponed a tour of its forestry assets because many analysts have halted coverage of the company.

The value of Sino-Forest shares and bonds collapsed last month after short-seller Muddy Waters accused the company of fraudulently exaggerating the size of its forestry assets.

The company has denied the allegations and appointed an internal committee of its independent directors to investigate the matter. However a full review is expected to take up to three months to complete.

Dundee Capital Markets analyst Richard Kelertas and RBC Capital Markets analyst Paul Quinn, who initially panned the Muddy Waters allegations, later opted to suspend coverage of the company. Other analysts have put their ratings and price targets on Sino-Forest under review.

"Following management's recent conversations with the analyst community who cover Sino-Forest, it has become apparent that many of you have been precluded from resuming coverage of the company and otherwise discussing its affairs publicly until after the independent committee reports," the company said in in a letter announcing the postponemen

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Anchor Tours prepare for busy summer season with new Volvo 9700

2011-07-06T22:26:00.000-07:00

With the summer season having now arrived, Anchor Tours, based in Bellurgan, Dundalk, Co. Louth is ideally positioned having recently invested in a new Volvo 9700 coach, with Prestige Plus bodywork, for their busiest time of the year.

The UK tour operator's latest coach has already been placed into active service, joining their fleet of 23 Volvos. "We've been specifying Volvo since 1963," explained Anchor Tour's owner Seamus Keenan. "This latest coach is an absolutely beautiful vehicle, I just love the interior."

Specified with 53 TS2000 comfort plus half leather seats, with 3-point safety belts and a centre demountable toilet, the high quality finish of the coach interior reflects Anchor's commitment to the comfort of their passengers.

Built on the reliable Volvo 3 axle, 13 metre B13R chassis and powered by a rear-mounted Euro 5 incentive, 13-litre diesel engine, rated at 460hp, the 9700 delivers performance, power, consistency and style.

Also featuring Volvo's I-Shift 12 speed gearbox and electronically controlled disc brakes and air suspension, Anchor have specified a coach which they know and trust. "We've had 9700's before," continued Seamus Keenan. "They are excellent quality and they are reliable, plus we know that we have the superb back-up support of the Irish Commercials Volvo dealership at Naas."

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Teak Master Offers Outdoor Furniture Restoration in Malibu

2011-07-05T21:50:00.000-07:00

When Tim Gilliam started Teak Master in 1997, he knew there was a void to be filled in the exterior wood surface restoration industry. Specializing in the professional care, restoration and repair of teak furniture, decks, gazebos, house trim, pergolas, play sets, spas and exotic hardwoods. Teak Master has carved a solid niche for itself in the field of teak repair and exterior wood surface care and restoration.

Teak Master has been in business for 14 years now, and is endorsed by such major teak furniture manufacturers as Brown-Jordan, Gloster, Kingsley Bate, Smith & Hawken, Henry Hall, Teak Warehouse, Jensen Jarrah and Janus et Cie as factory authorized service technicians.

Outdoor Furniture Restoration and Repair

Outdoor furniture, especially high-end teak furniture, has to endure harsh conditions, from the frigid temperatures of winter to the blistering heat of summer. When teak furniture sits outside unprotected the natural oils in the wood oxidize and turn the surface an unsightly grayish-black color, the grain can lift and crack and mildew and fungus can set in and destroy the wood through rot. The Teak Master process can forestall this condition and restore weathered furniture back to showroom quality, and new teak furniture can be enhanced and given long-lasting protection. Teak Master's exclusive custom formulated teak sealer has a special blend of solvents to penetrate deep into the hard teak wood with UV inhibitors and a mildewcide to prevent the furniture from turning gray through oxidation or rotting through mildewing. Damage and breaks to older pieces can also be expertly repaired by Teak Masters' experienced craftsmanship.

The same harsh weather conditions that can be so hard on outdoor wood furniture can also pose a hazard for wood decking, whether exotic hardwoods like mahogany or Brazilian ironwood and teak, or common redwood or IPE. Decks need the same kind of protection as your fine outdoor wood furniture to keep them structurally sound and looking their best. Without it damage can begin almost immediately. Teak Master also specializes in deck refinishing for the Los Angeles area, and can beautify and protect new or weathered decks from rot and decay due to mold, mildew and fungal attack, premature graying from UV exposure and structural damage caused by water absorption. The Teak Master process restores outdoor wood to new condition and provides the protection it needs to keep it beautiful for years to come.

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Lake Wales to Provide All Schools Bus Service

2011-07-05T01:01:00.000-07:00

Beginning next school year, the Lake Wales Charter System will provide its own bus transportation for all of its students.

Previously, the charter system only provided bus transportation for three of its six schools: Bok Academy, Babson Park Elementary and Hillcrest Elementary.

"Transportation for us is very important because it gives us control over the bell schedule," said Robin Gibson, a Lake Wales lawyer who represents the charter schools.

Gibson said the system is considering changing its school hours to possibly a longer day.

"We haven't decided anything but we need the options for the length of the scheduling," Gibson said.

During the 2009-10 school year, it cost the Polk County School District $532,621 to provide bus service to charter schools. Of that amount, $338,938 was spent on the Lake Wales Charter System for Janie Howard Wilson Elementary, Polk Avenue Elementary and Lake Wales High School, said Rob Davis, the district's director of transportation operations.

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Wood exporters to cope with tougher rules

2011-07-04T02:45:00.000-07:00

Vietnamese timber and wood product exporters will have to develop an elaborate system to ensure the legality of materials used to avoid the risk of losing their footholds in key markets like the US and the EU

For instance, they would need to show they have procured wood from areas with approved forest management plans and appropriate cutting permits.

They would also need to ensure they are excluding illegal and other unwanted wood both at the forest where materials are acquired as well as at processing and manufacturing facilities.

These steps become necessary as the EU and US markets are set to toughen up import restrictions through the European Union Timber Regulation and the United States Lacey Act, a workshop held in HCM City heard yesterday.

The workshop presented participants with the salient features of the two pieces of legislation as well as with practical steps that would help reduce the business risk of illegal materials entering the supply chains.

The Forest Trust (TFT) and the Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of HCM City (Hawa) organised the workshop with support from the United States Responsible Asia Forestry and Trade (RAFT) programme under USAID.

The organisers said the steps outlined at the workshop would help local exporters gain market credibility.

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DCSS may acquire eight new buses

2011-07-01T21:50:00.000-07:00

The Dougherty County School Board’s Transportation Committee on Friday heard a pitch from school system Transportation Director Kenneth Williams for eight new school buses and other assorted needs and wants of the department.

Williams informed the committee that the state of Georgia had issued $50 million in bonds to purchase more than 600 new buses statewide.

Dougherty County, he said, has been allotted eight buses in the bond issue, for which the state would chip in $76,292 per bus. The county would be on the hook for the remaining total balance of $189,826.
The buses are all Internationals. Here is a list of the vehicles with the cost of each to the county:

One 48 passenger ($5,385)

One 48 passenger with lift ($13,773)

One 72 passenger ($10,683)

Five 84 passenger, rear engine ($31,997)

“I selected the Internationals because of maintenance,” Williams told the committee. “They (International) have a service center off Blaylock, and that would keep us from having to drive them to Macon for major service.”

The transportation committee (David Maschke, Carol Tharin and Milton Griffin) voted unanimously to send the proposal to the full board for further consideration.

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Millions worth of timber goes up in smoke

2011-07-01T04:36:00.000-07:00

In a suspected case of arson, Zimbabwe’s largest timber producer, Border Timbers, was gutted by fire on Wednesday, reducing the multi-million-dollar factory full of treated poles ready for export to ashes.

Although there has not been an official statement on how the fire started and the extent of the damage, NewsDay understands the factory was reportedly housing treated poles ready for transporting to Kenya, Mozambique and Zambia.

An official at the company who refused to be named told NewsDay the raging fire was started by a nearby farmer who was burning dry maize stalks in the afternoon but had failed to contain it.

“Someone was preparing her field just outside our premises and she failed to control the fire, which ended up on our site. There was no proper fireguard and we failed to put out the fire.

“The story could have been different if we had had a proper fireguard, it was just an oversight on our part,” said the official.

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Running buses in the shadows

2011-06-28T20:58:00.000-07:00

Discount bus lines provide discount fares and - passengers would be wise to assume - discount safety.

Last month, a deadly accident on Interstate 95 south of Fredericksburg renewed scrutiny of an industry that has repeatedly and brazenly taken advantage of pitifully lax oversight by state and federal regulators.

Despite vows by federal officials to improve safety, passengers have little hope of determining in advance whether the buses they board undertake basic safety precautions.

At least eight discount bus lines in Virginia Beach and Norfolk make daily runs to New York and Washington, The Pilot's Mike Hixenbaugh reported Saturday. But only two of those companies show up on a federal database designed to help passengers check out safety records.

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Timber suffers a chop in soft March quarter

2011-06-27T21:00:00.000-07:00

SOFTWOOD product prices fell in the March quarter, along with wood production and construction of new houses, according to consulting firm URS.

There were wide-ranging price declines, particularly in structural grades MGP10 (Machine Graded Pine) and MGP12, plywood and laminated veneer lumber (LVL), said URS in its March quarter timber survey.

Residential housing, a strong driver of demand for timber products, continued to struggle.

The value of dwelling approvals fell by 7.1 per cent in the quarter, while residential alterations and additions approvals decreased by 6.4 per cent.

The high value of the Australian dollar - which has ranged between US99¢ and $US1.09 since the start of the year - boosted the competitiveness of wood-product imports.

The share of softwood timber imports from New Zealand and Europe fell by 16 and 7 per cent respectively in the March quarter. At the same time, softwood imports from Canada and the US rose respectively by 58 and 55 per cent.

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Clamping down on bus safety

2011-06-26T22:27:00.000-07:00

In recent weeks, federal authorities have shut down four motor coach operators for presenting an "imminent danger" to the public. Unqualified bus drivers, poorly kept records, and even instances of allowing passengers to ride in bus luggage compartments were among the myriad safety violations that caused the offending companies to be shut down.

Whether the actions will actually keep the companies out of business is another question. Such charter operators have a penchant for resurfacing under a new name — but with the same dangerous ways of doing business.

Since January, there have been six bus crashes resulting in 25 deaths, a string of accidents that has rightfully raised alarms in Washington. While bus travel has long been regarded as one of the safest modes of transportation in this country, the rise of discount charter operators and wholly unregulated web sites that broker tickets for these companies is a relatively new threat.

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Universal Forest looks at asset sale, job cuts

2011-06-24T21:12:00.000-07:00

Wood products maker Universal Forest Products Inc said it may consolidate or divest underperforming assets and cut jobs, due to weaker-than-expected sales this year.

The Grand Rapids, Michigan-based company said it will save $10 million annually, before one-time charges for severances related to the reductions.

Year-to-date net sales through May were down 9.5 percent to $765 million compared to the year-ago period, including a 15 percent drop in net sales to retail customers.

"Retail sales during what is historically our busiest selling season didn't materialize as expected this year," Chief Executive Michael Glenn said in a statement.

The company supplies lumber, plastic, and other building materials for the so-called do-it-yourself market, providing consumers with the tools needed for personal projects.

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Infobus gives pupils a taste of travel on the buses

2011-06-23T21:59:00.000-07:00

A specially-designed info bus will be stopping at all city primary schools giving Year 6 pupils a taste of bus travel.

The bus tour comes before most of the pupils move on to secondary schools where many of them will be catching buses for the first time. The info bus gives information about safe travel by bus and details of Citycard 360, Nottingham's public transport travel card that also offers extra value and discounts at shops, cafes, leisure centres, gyms and attractions.

The specially developed 'infolink' bus has an on-board DVD player, lap top connection and fully stocked leaflet racks and mini timetables.

Councillor Jane Urquhart, Nottingham City Council's Portfolio holder for Planning and Transport, said: "By the end of the summer term around 3,500 Year 6 pupils will have the chance to try out the info bus. The bus and driver provide a fun but informative way for the pupils to find out how to catch the bus safely, what to do and what not to do when travelling by bus, where to get information and help, plus answer any questions about travelling to secondary school by bus. A DVD is played to the groups about travelling by bus, the driver gives the group a talk about bus travel.

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Port of Olympia busy with timber exports to Asia

2011-06-22T22:07:00.000-07:00

Northwest forests are providing a boost to the building boom in China and will likely help with the rebuilding of post-tsunami Japan. The region's loggers and longshoremen can say thanks, in part, to the Russians.

About a mile from the state Capitol as the gull flies or the salmon swims, logs cut in Southwest Washington and the Olympic Peninsula are gathered in stacks two to three stories high. After being bark-stripped and graded, they wait for cargo freighters like the Louise Bulker to navigate Budd Inlet at the southern end of Puget Sound and tie up at the Port of Olympia.

Nearly as long as two football fields, the Louise Bulker arrived empty two weeks ago. When it left four days later for Tianshin, China, longshoremen and stevedores had filled its holds and stacked the deck 15 to 20 logs high with some 5.5 million board feet of timber.

Many Northwest ports are experiencing a boom in log shipments, but nowhere is it more dramatic than in Olympia, where Weyerhaeuser moved one of its exporting operations from Tacoma about two years ago to service its Japan trade. Pacific Lumber and Shipping also has increased its use of the Olympia port for shipments to China.

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Charter schools popular with parents

2011-06-20T22:52:00.000-07:00

Principal Karen Schade looks at the departing third graders, a satisfied smile crossing her face.

"I love being here. It's a wonderful environment," she says.

Schade has been principal of School Lane since 2002. The school has 596 students in kindergarten through eighth grade, and a waiting list of applicants.

"We really get the opportunity to try out new educational theories...We're not here saying we're better than a school district. We're offering a different environment, a different program. Our message is to provide a safe environment for kids to learn - not just physically safe, but emotionally and intellectually as well."

That message becomes apparent in the comments of students and staff alike. This school is working.

"It's not a boring school; it's a fun school," says Sasha Wilkerson of Bensalem, a second-grader.

School Lane is making "adequate yearly progress" for all but one year since the Pennsylvania Systen of School Assessment was initiated about six years ago.

If you had to give a report card to today's charter schools, most would earn good grades. The charter-school movement began in 1997 through a federal initiative to bring more innovation to public education.

Charter schools are schools founded by parents or educators, which receive a charter to operate for a certain number of years. The charters can be renewed. The schools are funded by the school districts in which their students reside, based on a per-student cost formula for educating a child in that district, explains Wendy Ormsby, director of the Souderton Charter School Cooperative.

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Malaysia: Strengthening ringgit hist furniture exports

2011-06-19T22:15:00.000-07:00

With the Malaysian ringgit strengthening against most major currencies, including the US dollar, the Euro and Sterling, a decline in furniture exports in the current year is being forecast.

Exports of Malaysian furniture are expected to decline by up to 15%, from RM7.95 billion in 2010 to RM6.8 billion for 2011. This decline would be the worst in the past 3 years.

The Malaysia Furniture Entrepreneur Association (MFEA) reported that exports by its members had declined from RM1.97 billion in the first quarter 2010 to RM1.66 billion in the first quarter of 2011. Exports for the second quarter are expected to come in below RM1.98 billion.
v For the Japanese furniture market, exports registered a 12% decline to RM166 million for the first quarter 2011 compared to RM186 million for the first quarter 2010. Japan was the second largest market for MFEA members in 2010, with exports valued at RM709 million out of a total of RM7.95 billion for the year.

Global WoodMart - one-stop centre for buyers and suppliers
The Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) expects that its Global WoodMart (MGW) 2012 exhibition will showcase timber and timber products from both tropical and temperate countries. MTC added that MGW 2012 will act as a one-stop centre for both buyers and suppliers of timber and timber products.

Official partner organizations of MGW 2012 are the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) and FrenchTimber. AHEC has been active in the Asian markets for many years but FrenchTimber is a relative newcomer.

FrenchTimber was formed in 2001 at the initiative of the “Fédération Nationale du Bois” and a group of French sawmills and it pursues two main goals :

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PSC to investigate charter bus company

2011-06-16T21:56:00.000-07:00

Staff members of Georgia's Public Service Commission said Thursday they are investigating whether a charter bus company already grounded by the federal government has violated any state regulations.

Last week, CBS Atlanta News informed the PSC that the federal government had ordered East Point-based JCT Motorcoach to stop carrying passengers after finding the company was operating illegally under a different name.

The feds said the company had falsified vehicle maintenance records and used drivers that tested positive for alcohol and drugs.

Despite the federal order, the company is still certified and licensed in the state of Georgia.

CBS Atlanta's consumer investigator Adam Murphy was forcefully pushed out of the bus company's office last Friday when he showed up to question its owners.

Murphy then informed the PSC about the federal order.

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Timber harvests improve from worst year ever

2011-06-15T20:50:00.000-07:00

The state’s timber harvests rebounded in 2010 after a record low the previous year, driven by a buying boom in China, according to an annual report by the Oregon Department of Forestry.

Harvests increased for every forest ownership class except for the Bureau of Land Management, accounting for a total of 3.2 billion board feet and a 17 percent increase over the 2009 numbers, state timber economists say.

In Columbia County, the amount of timber harvested rose at a rate less than the state average, going from 113 million board feet in 2009 to 123 million board feet in 2010.

But loggers say their situation remains far from optimal. After all, 2009 saw the worst logging output since the Great Depression.

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Lake Wales to Provide All Schools Bus Service

2011-06-14T21:38:00.000-07:00

Wood waste fuels debate on measure to exempt biomass from state solid waste regulations

2011-06-13T21:21:00.000-07:00

Most Oregon legislators agreed Monday that one man’s trash is another man’s fuel and the state shouldn’t interfere with his ability to put it to good use while others opposed a measure to exempt woody biomass from regulations applied to solid wastes.

Rep. Andy Olson, R-Albany, introduced House Bill 3687 as a solution to uncertainty about what state rules should apply to woody biomass burners, which generate power by super-heating wood byproducts previously treated as waste. The technology is generally considered a renewable source of energy since it is fueled by what would otherwise go unused and works within the existing carbon cycle of forests rather than burning fossil fuels that were removed from the cycle under the Earth’s surface.

“Treating biomass boilers as solid waste incinerators could result in closures of existing biomass facilities and slow the development of new ones,” Olson said, which he feared would cost Oregonians jobs and weaken the state’s push for renewable energy sources.

Yet some argued the bill would the exact opposite if approved by the Senate and became law.

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Michigan charter bus service shut down by federal government

2011-06-12T20:20:00.000-07:00

Haines Tours of Gladwin, Michigan, has been ordered to immediately cease operations by the United States Department of Transportation. They are the third bus company to be shut down by the federal government this month.

The order came following a citation given on May 27 to Roger Haines, owner of Haines Tours, for carrying passengers in the bus’s cargo compartment. The ticket was given by an Ohio Highway Patrol officer in Lake Township, Ohio. The bus was chartered to take 62 passengers from Roscommon, Michigan, to Clyde, Ohio. However six of the 62 were found to be riding in the cargo compartment with unsecured baggage.

“Great customer service is not always saying, ‘yes’,” says Guillermo Williams of Rochester Hills’ Max Impact, a customer service training company. “Sometimes you have to say ‘no’ for safety or legal reasons.”

He said that when a customer’s demands or desires cannot be legally meet great customer service dictates gently but firmly explaining the reasons.

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Oregon's timber harvest rebounds, sort of

2011-06-11T03:28:00.000-07:00

Coming back from the worst year on record, Oregon's 2010 timber harvest increased 17 percent to to 3.2 billion board feet.

A spike in lumber prices and increased exports to China drove up the demand and price for logs, which in turn caused the increased harvest total, according to an Oregon Department of Forestry news release.

Oregon loggers cut 2.7 billion board feet in 2009, a record low. A board foot is a slab of wood 12 inches square and one inch thick.

The increased cut in 2010 came primarily from private timberland. Large corporate owners provided 2.2 billion board feet, or 68 percent of the harvest. Smaller family forest owners increased their harvest by 145 percent to a total of 228 million board feet.

The timber harvest on land managed by the U.S. Forest Service -- which has the largest timber holdings in Oregon -- increased by 32 percent, to 254 million board feet.

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Charter bus carrying high school students hits overturned rig on Ala. interstate; dozens hurt

2011-06-09T21:20:00.000-07:00

A charter bus full of teenagers from Texas collided with an overturned tractor-trailer rig on a dark stretch of Interstate 10 near the Mississippi line early Monday, injuring about two dozen people.

One passenger was listed in serious condition, authorities said, but the rest of the injuries were believed to be relatively minor cuts and bruises.

Greg Eubanks, an Alabama state trooper spokesman in Mobile, said a bus carrying 48 teenagers and two chaperones from Del Rio, Texas, to Orlando, Fla., slammed into the trailer of an 18-wheeler moments after it overturned just a few miles inside Alabama on I-10 about 12:30 a.m. CDT.

“The bus (driver) just didn’t see it,” Eubanks said. A second bus also full of students from Del Rio wasn’t involved in the crash, he said.

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