Federal Transportation Official Calls For More Investment In Bay Area
HAYWARD (KCBS) – The head of the Federal Transit Administration stressed the importance of investment in transit infrastructure during a visit on Wednesday to the Bay Area.
Peter Rogoff took a tour of the Bay Area Rapid Transit's repair yard in Hayward, where he got a first-hand look at one of the oldest fleets of rail cars in the nation, many of which are close to 40 years old.
KCBS' Margie Shafer Reports:
"We need to reinvest in projects like this. Like replacing BART's rail cars, like doing the less sexy, but absolutely critical investments on the traction system and the tracks itself," said Rogoff.
Sean Steele, manager of the Hayward maintenance complex, said there are some overhauls in the works.
"We're installing new floor panels. It's a different material so we won't have to experience the delaminating of the top piece of the floor panel," said Steele.
Seats are also being replaced and overhead handles are being installed to allow for more standing room capacity.
Administrator Rogoff said he wants Congress to pass a good, multi-year transportation bill with reliable funding sources to ensure the U.S. can make present and future transportation investments.
(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
