Shortly after learning that half of all Americans will be obese by 2030, the Times has decided to investigate the pressing issue of fat Americans on public transportation. It's a real problem, you guys! Just ask Kevin Smith. more ›

For a technocrat with an inarguably successful business track record, Mike Bloomberg's administration sure keeps having problems with scheming computer contractors. On top of the epic $80 million CityTime scandal and the $3.6 million the DOE last week revealed it lost to a "housewife-next-door" loving computer contractor, a high-level DOE executive is now under investigation for "potential corruption and conflict of interest" regarding his relationship with a consulting firm that has a $43 million contract with the Department. more ›

America, we understand that Michelle Obama might be a socialist trying to take away your God-given right to eat cake and Fritos for breakfast, but could you maybe hit the gym? Because when the country's weight starts affecting federal regulations, it really is a problem. The Federal Transit Authority has recently proposed changing bus testing regulation to "more accurately reflect average passenger weights." According to the proposal, "FTA is proposing to change the average passenger weight from 150 lbs to 175 lbs. In addition, FTA is proposing to change the floor space occupied per standing passenger from 1.5 to 1.75 square feet, and updating the Structural Strength and Distortion test procedures." more ›

Now that the Trans-Hudson Express tunnel is never going to happen and the Federal Transit Administration is insisting that it be paid back the $271 million it gave for the project by Christmas, what to do? Sue, obviously. New Jersey Transit's executive board yesterday approved the hiring of DC lawfirm Patton Boggs to challenge the tab. Which means, as the Post points out, to not pay millions of dollars NJ Transit, which still has lots of financial problems, is hiring a firm that charges $485 bucks an hour. more ›

A few weeks back we learned that the Federal Transit Administration was demanding that New Jersey refund the over $2.7 billion the FTA invested in the ARC Tunnel Project, which Governor Chris Christie cancelled because it got too expensive. According to the debt notice obtained by AP, "FTA demands payment in full within 30 days from the date of this letter, hereinafter referred to as the 'delinquency date,'" which was November 24th. So much for holiday bonuses. more ›

The Federal Trade Administration's head emphasized the alarm over the cost of building the World Trade Center transit hub. James Simpson said, "if the project is as advertised today, it's in the $3 billion." He added that the FTA is "holding the Port Authority's feet to the fire" to make sure the FTA's $1.9 billion grant for the project is spent wisely. more ›