Friday morning rail news:
— Utah’s legislature has again passed a law which would remove the exemption for locomotive fuel from the state’s fuel tax — a bill similar to one vetoed by Gov. Gary Hebert earlier this year. The Provo Daily Herald reports the funds from 4.85% tax is expected to generate about $2.6 million annual, according to the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Joel Ferry (R-Brigham City). The money generated would see 80% go into an account overseen by the legislature for grade-crossing improvements, with 10% for grants from the Utah Department of Transportation for grade-crossing work and the remaining 10% to fund related environmental impact studies. Hebert vetoed the earlier version of the bill saying it was “contrary to sound tax policy.”
— The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency has voted to increase Muni rail and bus fares in July, a move that one lawmaker claims is illegal and has asked the city attorney to investigate. Curbed San Francisco reports the Muni board approved fare increases as high as 12% on Tuesday, effective in July. That prompted Supervisor Dean Preston call for an investigation is guilty of price gouging during a state of emergency. State law limits price increases to 10% during an emergency, although government agencies are protected.
— Beginning today, LA Metro is closing the entrances to some subway stations to decrease the number of areas of public contact and help Metro maintain the cleaning process by focusing custodial resources where they are most needed. All seven B (Red) Line stations will remain open and will maintain ADA access. A list of entrances that will be closed and those still available is here.
