Tag: Transport

Georgetown PD: Local teen stole 2 cars

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GEORGETOWN — A local teen accused of stealing two cars was arraigned Monday in Haverhill District Court, according to police.

Joseph Winthrop Lee, 18, of Georgetown was charged with receiving a stolen motor vehicle (two counts); larceny of a motor vehicle, failure to stop for police, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, leaving the scene after property damage, resisting arrest, speeding in excess of posted limit and a marked lanes violation.

Lee was arrested shortly after police say he stole a 2010 Toyota Camry early Sunday and led officers on a pursuit that ended with the car veering into woods off Church Street in West Newbury.

He was later captured by officers with the help of Amesbury police K-9 Meatball and his partner, Thomas Nichols.

The arrest came shortly after local police responded to a suspicious gathering at the Georgetown Park and Ride involving two men and a 2022 Toyota Prius. The officers identified the vehicle as being stolen from a Newton address.

When approached by officers, the men fled. Lee then stole the Camry, police said.

The second car theft took place in the early morning of May 31 when a 2008 Toyota Prius was stolen from a Georgetown home. Several hours later, the Prius was found abandoned with a flat tire outside the Museum of Science in Boston, according to police.

Local police charged Lee with both thefts.

Lee is due back in court July 10.

In light of the two incidents, police are reminding residents to lock their vehicles.

“Practicing responsible vehicle ownership isn’t just about protecting your property, it’s also about protecting the lives and property of other people,” Georgetown police Chief David Sedgwick said. “Motor vehicle theft is often a gateway crime to other crime, such as speeding and reckless driving, both of which pose a threat to the entire community. On this occasion, the motor vehicles were stolen as a matter of convenience, and their theft could have been prevented.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers the following commonsense tips for helping to prevent vehicle theft:

Take your vehicle’s key and do not leave it in or on your vehicle; close and lock all windows and doors when parking; park in well-lit areas if possible; and never leave valuables in the vehicle, especially if they can be seen from outside.

Dave Rogers is the editor of the Daily News of Newburyport. Email him at: drogers@newburyportnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @drogers41008.

Dave Rogers is the editor of the Daily News of Newburyport. Email him at: drogers@newburyportnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @drogers41008.

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By Dave Rogers | drogers@newburyportnews.com

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June 12, 2024
DPW crews make quick work shutting off major water break

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Gloucester public works crews made quick work stemming the flow and repairing a major water main break on Maplewood Avenue, not far from the intersection with Poplar Street near the Babson Reservoir and the Babson Water Treatment Facility Monday night.

DPW Director Mike Hale said a video he was sent around the time of the break showed water gushing out of the street with police blocking off the area to traffic just before the underpass of Route 128. Traffic had been detoured away from the area during the water work.

By 7:56 p.m., he said, crews had pretty much stopped the water from flowing. Within six hours overnight, he said, crews were able to repair the break. Some further cleanup of the street was required on Tuesday. He said despite the large hole that was opened in the roadway by the force of the water, the roadway was reopened overnight.

The DPW put out a statement that said if residents were experiencing brown water, they should run the cold water tap for 10 minutes to flush out the lines.

If problems persist, the DPW says to call 978-325-5600 so the department can send a crew out to do some spot flushing.

Hale said the 16-inch water main did not fail, but hardware holding a fitting in place “at the old line stop” from maintenance done several decades ago did. However, the prior work to install a valve allowed crews to isolate where the water was shut off to the immediate area. Hale said the entire city felt the drop in pressure, but crews were able to shut valves and isolate the interruption in water service.

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By Ethan Forman | Staff Writer

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June 5, 2024
Newburyport wins big in e-bus bonanza

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Schools in North of Boston and southern New Hampshire communities, including Newburyport, are among the largest recipients of grants in the latest round of Clean School Bus Program awards.

As part of its ongoing effort to replace diesel-fueled school buses, the Biden administration said this week it will provide about 530 school districts across nearly all states with an additional $1 billion to help them purchase clean school buses.

Massachusetts school districts are in line for more than $42 million to purchase electric buses as part of an effort to upgrade the state’s aging fleet and reduce emissions from diesel-powered vehicles.

Newburyport is receiving $3 million for 15 buses, according to the Biden administration.

The Derry Cooperative School District in New Hampshire is receiving one of the largest grants in the region – $8.6 million for 25 electric school buses, thanks to an application submitted by First Student Inc., the transportation contractor for the district.

Several North of Boston school districts are also sharing in the e-bus funding, according to a list provided by the White House. Andover is receiving $5 million for 25 e-buses, while Ipswich is getting $5 million for 15.

Salem is receiving $2.6 million for 13 e-buses, the Biden administration said. Other school districts, including Gloucester, Marblehead, Beverly and the Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School, are also getting funding to buy new e-buses.

In addition to Derry, eight other New Hampshire districts such as Concord and Nashua will receive some of the funding, according to the White House. The money comes from the latest disbursements of grants through the Clean School Bus Program administered by the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection.

The rebates will help school districts purchase more than 3,400 clean school buses – 92% of them electric – to accelerate the nation’s transition to zero-emission vehicles and produce cleaner air in schools and communities, according to the Biden administration.

EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said in a conference call with reporters Tuesday that the funding will help “transform the nation’s school bus fleet to better protect our most precious cargo – our kids – saving school districts money, improving air quality, and bolstering American manufacturing all at the same time.”

The federal program has awarded nearly $3 billion for 8,500 electric and alternative fuel buses in more than 1,000 school districts, according to the Biden administration.

Low-income, rural and tribal communities – accounting for about 45% percent of the selected projects – are slated to receive roughly 67% of the total funding, per the administration.

Regan noted how “low-income communities and communities of color have long felt the disproportionate impacts of air pollution leading to severe health outcomes that continue to impact these populations.”

As for business and economic opportunities, Regan pointed to the development of well-paying manufacturing jobs and investment in local businesses stemming from the increasing demand for these clean school buses.

“As more and more schools make the switch to electric buses, there will be a need for American-made batteries, charging stations and service providers to maintain the buses supercharging and reinvigorating local economies,” he added.

The program was initially funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by Biden in November 2021, which includes $5 billion over five years to replace the country’s current school buses with “zero-emission and low-emission models.”

In January, the EPA announced more than $1 billion in funding for 2,700 clean school buses in 280 school districts in 37 states, including Massachusetts.

Federal health officials say exposure to diesel exhaust can lead to major health conditions such as asthma and respiratory illnesses, especially among children.

Despite the Biden administration’s efforts, e-buses still make up a tiny percentage of the buses on the roads nationwide, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The number of e-buses grew by 112% between 2018 and 2021. But with just 1,300 on the roadways in 2021, that represented just 2% of the transit buses in operation, according to DOT data. Of about 500,000 school buses nationwide, only 1,800 were electric in 2021, the federal agency said.

Material from States Newsroom reporter Shauneen Miranda was used in this report.

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By Christian M. Wade | Statehouse Reporter

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June 1, 2024
State police plan weekend sobriety checkpoint

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Col. John E. Mawn Jr., superintendent of Massachusetts State Police, said a “sobriety checkpoint” will be implemented on a public way in Essex County this weekend.

The purpose is to further educate drivers and strengthen the public’s awareness of the need for detecting and removing those motorists who operate under the influence of alcohol and, or, drugs from the roadways.

It will be operated during varied hours Saturday into Sunday. The selection of vehicles will not be arbitrary, safety will be assured, and any inconveniences to motorists will be minimized with advance notice to reduce fear and anxiety, Mawn said in a release.

The checkpoint is made possible through a grant provided by the Office of Grants and Research of the state Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.

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May 29, 2024
Westchester County, NY selects GMV to provide Transit Technology Upgrade on 325 buses
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The $16M contract and a new GMV office will establish a permanent footprint for the company in the New York Metro area
LOS ANGELES, May 29, 2024 (Newswire.com)
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Westchester County is home to a diverse population of more than 1 million people, with rail and bus connections into New York City. Following a competitive procurement, the County selected GMV to upgrade its transit technology platform to deliver more efficient service, better oversight of operations and improve the customer experience on Bee Line buses. GMV has more than 25 years of experience delivering technology solutions for buses and trains in places like Los Angeles, Barcelona, Warsaw and Sydney, and the company is excited to bring this technology to New York.

On each Bee Line bus, the company will install the GMV Hub, a rugged vehicle computer that is specifically designed and built by GMV for transit systems to ensure robust performance and long service life. The GMV Hub uses an open architecture to control a range of onboard systems including GPS, bus operator touchscreen, automatic passenger counters, next stop announcements and a dedicated sensor for precision tracking in indoor bus depots. The GMV Hub also functions as a digital video recorded (DVR) to store footage from security cameras on each bus. This multifunction device significantly reduces the project’s equipment cost and delivers great value to the County.

ITS Suite is GMV’s cloud native software that delivers a suite of applications from GMV and its partners to enhance the County’s visibility and control of their bus operations. Each app is focused on a key transit function, and all apps are integrated for real-time data exchange:
- Planning and scheduling software will generate an optimized set of routes and schedules to serve customers as efficiently as possible and reduce operating costs.
- Dispatch software enables control center staff to monitor the entire fleet and take quick action to keep buses moving.
- Garage management software will choreograph bus movements inside the depots to ensure vehicles are ready for service.
- Video management software enables live remote viewing of bus cameras and secure storage and playback of video evidence.
GMV “plays well with others,” and this philosophy enables the company to deliver best in class products from third-party partners in a single, coordinated solution. A modern technical architecture built on cloud computing, microservices, and application program interfaces (APIs) makes this collaboration possible, and GMV’s project management skills ensure successful delivery.

GMV’s continued expansion in the United States includes opening a New York office to support Westchester County and other clients on the east coast. “Even with the best technology in the world, excellent Customer Service is what makes projects successful and builds long term relationships with our clients. Face to face, in-person collaboration with clients is critical, and we’re excited to grow our presence in New York,” said Ian Sephton, CEO of GMV’s North American transportation business.

“We are thrilled to announce Westchester’s Bee-Line Bus System will be getting this cutting-edge technology upgrade, which will improve customer safety, real-time operations management and efficiency. The comprehensive upgrade also supports our commitment to sustainability with zero-emission fleet integrations and will enhance the experience for the everyday rider by incorporating modern mobility solutions”, said County Executive George Latimer.

Source: GMV
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May 29, 2024
2 killed in Methuen wrong-way crash

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METHUEN — Two people are dead after a head-on collision early Monday closed Interstate 93 for about three hours.

The three-vehicle crash occurred shortly after 2 a.m. when a Toyota RAV4 SUV was traveling north in the southbound lanes of I-93, according to a preliminary police investigation.

The RAV4, driven by a 53-year-old Quincy resident, collided head on with a Toyota Camry driven by a 21-year-old Quincy resident, police said.

The 21-year-old died at the crash scene while the RAV4’s driver was transported to a local hospital and later pronounced dead. Their names were not released.

After the initial crash, the Camry collided with a third vehicle whose driver was not injured, police said.

The crash remains under investigation. State police from the Andover barracks were assisted by first responders from Methuen.

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By Teddy Tauscher | ttauscher@eagletribune.com

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May 27, 2024
Area police logs

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Beverly

Tuesday

A witness reported seeing a bicyclist fall off his bike at 6:55 p.m. at the intersection of Lovett and Ives streets. Police said the cyclist appears to have gotten his jacket tangled in the spokes. He was not wearing a helmet or carrying identification but was later identified as a 36-year-old area resident. He was transported to Beverly hospital with minor injuries and his bike was left in the station sallyport for safe keeping.

Wednesday

A man flagged down a cruiser at 2:07 a.m. at the intersection of Park and Pleasant streets and asked to be taken to the hospital. He was transported to Salem Hospital via ambulance.

Officers were sent to the intersection of Cabot and Myrtle streets at 10:55 a.m. to check on a disabled green pickup truck. Detail officer arrived first on scene and found the vehicle with a disabled front -right wheel and axle. The driver was out of the truck and not suffering from any health episode or signs of impairment from drugs or alcohol. A check of his records found only civil moving violations, and a search of the vehicle yielded nothing of value. It was towed by New Beverly.

The general manager of a building on Park Street reported chalk graffiti on the brick wall of the depot. The names Brenda, “Donalad” and Kristen were chalked on the building along with other barely legible writing. The officer spoke with the homeless group across the street and asked who was responsible for it. One of the males, whose name was not on the wall, took responsibility, but it may have been one of the females. The officer told to wash it off immediately, and if it is done again, they will be charged with vandalism/tagging. The officer watched the male to remove the chalk.

An officer went to 490 Rantoul St. at 2:02 p.m. to take a report on harassment by a tenant. The tenant said he gave the landlord two weeks’ notice that he was moving, and the landlord reciprocated by telling him to leave immediately. The tenant said he had a long history of issues with the landlord that’s why he was moving out. He was advised how to proceed in Salem District Court for the civil components and also in regard to obtaining a harassment prevention order.

At 5:34 p.m. an officer came across a minor motor vehicle accident. The officer said he inspected the rear bumper of the vehicle in close detail and observed there was no damage at all, and it was very clear the operator was lying. He advised her that if she tried to file a claim, the other driver could use this narrative as proof there was no damage.

Fire and EMS were sent to Cabot Street at 7:27 p.m. for a person with an injured leg. The woman said she fell and scraped her shin on some rocks on the beach, and when she saw the blood, she fainted. Friends helped her to her feet, and she was able to walk off the beach to EMS and fire who evaluated her. She refused medical treatment.

Thursday

Police responded to the intersection of Cabot and Federal streets at 1:05 a.m. for a disturbance. A 49-year-old Beverly woman was arrested and charged with assault and battery on a family or household member.

An officer was sent to the intersection of Church and Cabot streets at 6:06 p.m. to make a wellbeing check after a possible assault. The female was transported to Beverly hospital with the officer riding in the ambulance with her.

Peabody

Thursday

A caller reported at 12:42 p.m. she went to check on her mother’s residence and found the door unlocked, and lights and TV on inside. No one should have been there at the time. Officers checked the residence, and all was in order with no signs of forced entry, it appeared the TV was just left on.

IStorage, 137 Summit St., reported at 2:15 p.m., that a trailer had been stolen.

A Hamerick Road woman called police at 6:40 p.m., to report that her father, who had possible memory issues, left home at 9:30 a.m., in a Green Cab and had not returned. The taxi took him to Apollo Travel in Cambridge, the daughter said, but they told her he did not book any plane tickets and left around 12:30-1 p.m., direction of travel unknown. The daughter left a voicemail on his cellphone after getting no answer. T-Mobile was attempting to ping the phone. Her father was last seen wearing a green hat, brown plaid shirt and green or brown pants. He was carrying a brown suitcase, a pink suitcase and a duffle bag. T-Mobile advised it had pinged the phone at Logan Airport within and gave the coordinates within a radius of 299 meters. Mass. State Police Troop F at Logan was notified to attempt to make contact with the father and to call his daughter. His picture was sent to Sgt. Maguire at the Troop F Barracks.

Friday

A woman called police at 2:32 a.m. from Independent Electric Supply, 34 Railroad Ave., to report she had put her purse down to get something and the suspect picked it up and fled toward Dunkin’ Donuts. The suspect was described as a white female with dark hair and blond highlights, possible facial piercings, blue eyes and a dark sweatshirt.

Police stopped a vehicle at the Knights of Columbus, 96 Main St. and, after a brief investigation, they arrested the driver, a 44-year-old Peabody man. He was charged with drunken driving or with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs and with possessing Class B drugs.

A caller left a voicemail with Animal Control complaining his neighbor allows his dogs to run loose in the neighborhood. The 9 Oran Circle neighbor was mailed a copy of the leash law, license application and citation warnings for the unrestrained and potentially unvaccinated/unlicensed dogs. There is no history of dogs at that address.

An ambulance was dispatched at 10:11 a.m., to New England Orthopedics, 4 Centennial Drive, for a patient who was unable to move his legs.

Marblehead

Thursday

Two officers were sent to a Pond Street location at 8:20 p.m., to investigate a complaint.

An officer was called to a Russell Street address at 8:32 a.m. to report on a larceny, forgery or a fraud.

Police, fire and ambulance were sent to the intersection of Ocean and Atlantic avenues at 1:29 p.m. for a motor vehicle crash.

Officers were sent to Garden Road at 2:30 p.m., and to Atlantic Avenue at 3:04 p.m., to report on separate cases of larceny, forgery or fraud.

An officer was sent to Heritage Way at 4:06 p.m. for a larceny, forgery or fraud.

A report of a general complaint brought police to Broughton Road at 8:10 p.m.

Salem

Wednesday

An officer was sent to Leach St. at 4:55 p.m., and another to 55 Summit St. at 5:49 p.m. to report on separate frauds or scams.

Police were sent to 39 Upham St. at 6:42 p.m. to end a disturbance. After a brief investigation, they arrested a 67-year-old Salem man. He was charged with assault and assault with a dangerous weapon.

The report of a larceny brought officers to 13 Read St. at 7:30 p.m.

Also at 7:30 p.m., police took a report on a stolen or missing motor vehicle license plate from 63 Jefferson Ave.

Police were sent to 41 Bridge St., at 8:37 p.m. to deal with a juvenile issue.

A missing juvenile was reported at 10:53 p.m., from 85 Valley St.

A larceny was reported from 52 Northey St. at 11:33 p.m.

Thursday

Officers were called to 4 Colonial Terrace at 12:01 a.m., to end a dispute.

Police went to 106 Linden St. at 7:50 a.m. to end another dispute.

Officers were sent to 190 Bridge St. at 8:04 a.m. for a motor vehicle accident with airbag deployment and possible injuries.

The report of a fraud or a scam brought police to Pickman Road at 11:36 a.m.

Police arrested a person on School Street at 12:56 a.m., but no further information was provided.

Officers were called to The Home Depot, 50 Traders Way at 1:20 p.m., for a larceny.

The report of a dispute brought police to the vicinity of the North and Mason streets intersection at 3:31 p.m. for a dispute.

The report of a suspicious item brought police to the vicinity of 170 North St. at 5:08 p.m. No issue was reported.

Police were called to a Cedarcrest Avenue address at 5:11 p.m., for a juvenile issue.

Police arrested a man at 5:12 p.m. in the vicinity of 211 Washington St. After a brief investigation, they arrested the 62-year-old Salem man and charged him with violation of a miscellaneous municipal ordinance or bylaw.

An officer was sent to North Street at 7:28 p.m. to handle a juvenile issue.

Friday

Police were called to 211 Washington St. at 7 a.m. for a larceny.

At 8:54 a.m., reports of a disturbance brought police to 75 Boston St.

Officers were called to 1000 Loring Ave. at 9:11 to end a dispute.

Police were sent to 1000 Loring Ave. at 9:16 a.m. for an assault in the past.

The report of a larceny brought police to Salem Hospital, 81 Highland Ave., at 9:27 a.m.

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May 27, 2024
Police/Fire: Gloucester woman held, accused of driving stolen Audi while drugged

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After a report of an Audi SUV driving erratically in the vicinity of the Bass Avenue traffic lights and East Main Street just after 5 a.m.last Monday, police arrested a 43-year-old Gloucester woman on charges of larceny of a motor vehicle; driving under the influence of drugs, a third offense; driving with a suspended license; negligent driving; a marked lanes violation; and receiving a stolen motor vehicle.

Kimberly A. Ahearn, of 11 Chestnut St., Apt. 4, was ordered held without bail during her arraignment last Monday in Gloucester District Court. She was scheduled for a detention hearing this Monday, May 20, according to the district court’s clerk’s office.

The person reporting the blue Audi SUV being driven erratically said it was “flying,” and believed it to be going in excess of 100 mph. The following driver said the Audi appeared to attempt to evade him, driving so fast and erratically he was no longer able to safely follow it.

Earlier that morning, at 4:15, police had gone to Edgemoor Road for a report of a woman ringing a homeowner’s doorbell, with the resident reporting the woman appeared “hammered.” This caller said the woman came from what appeared to be a dark-colored Audi SUV.

The Audi was reported to have gone down East Main Street toward Zeke’s Restaurant. Officers spotted the vehicle and dispatch informed them the vehicle came back to an address on Eastern Point Boulevard. Police followed the Audi as it weaved down the road and nearly struck the curb. Police stopped the car just before the stop sign heading toward Bass Avenue.

Police approached the driver and noted a strong odor of heavy brake use coming from the SUV. The officer reported recognizing the driver as she had several run-ins with police recently and in the past, the report said. She reportedly laughed hysterically when the officer tried to speak with her and eventually the officer was able to confirm her identity. When asked if the Audi belonged to her, she said she came out of her apartment on Chestnut Street, saw the vehicle with its keys in the cup holder, and took it, the report said. Police informed her this was a crime, which she denied and said she needed the vehicle to get around to do errands. Ahearn said she did not have her license on her and it was confirmed her license was suspended.

When she got out to take field sobriety tests, police noticed she was not wearing shoes. Police said she showed signs of impairment while taking the tests. Police contacted the Audi’s owner who told police she did not give anyone permission to use her car. The owner was given a ride to the scene where she saw damage to the Audi’s front driver’s side bumper that had not been there before. Police subsequently arrested Ahearn.

— Ethan Forman

In other news taken from the logs of Cape Ann’s police and fire departments:

GLOUCESTER

Tuesday, May 14

9:08 p.m.: Debris in the roadway was located on Rockland Street.

6:40 p.m.: Police responded to a report from a Viking Street homeowner who said someone in a maroon sedan pulled in her driveway and started taking pictures of her house. She told police she came out from behind her vehicle and approached the man who told her he was taking pictures for FEMA. The man did not show any ID and left abruptly. She was unable to get the plate number of the sedan. Police were given a description of a man who was large in stature wearing a black shirt with the letters “OSI” on it. Police advised the woman to lock her doors and call if the vehicle returned.

3:23 p.m.: Police responded to a disturbance at Good Harbor Beach on Thatcher Road.

Crashes with property damage only were reported at East Main and Wall streets at 11:17 a.m., and on Grant Circle on Route 128 north at 2:40 p.m.

12:14 p.m.: Peace was restored after a caller reported juveniles drinking on Good Harbor Beach on Thatcher Road.

11:06 a.m.: Fraud was reported on Elizabeth Road.

Monday, May 13

10:42 p.m.: Police responded to a report of a disabled vehicle in the roadway on Concord Street.

6:20 p.m.: A 27-year-old Gloucester resident was arrested on charges of possession of a Class B drug, larceny under $1,200, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest after police responded to Oak and Warner streets for report of a person hitting another person with a bat. Police also filed a complaint against a 53-year-old on a charge of assault with a dangerous weapon.

5:29 p.m.: Police planned to file a criminal complaint against a Gloucester resident in relation to a report of past harassment/domestic assault and battery.

4:24 p.m.: Police assisted the Fire Department with an active fire on East Main Street. The road was closed at Chapel Street. Officers arrived to find an outside structure fire. Traffic was detoured around the fire site and the Fire Department responded to extinguish it.

3:35 p.m.: A caller from Staten Street reported his neighbor has a camera intentionally facing his backyard.

Crashes with property damage only were reported on Grant Circle at 11:23 a.m., Prospect Street at 12:03 p.m., and Route 128 northbound at 3:19 p.m..

10:57 a.m.: Police took a report of credit card fraud.

10:26 a.m.: Police responded to a disturbance at the 1-4, C-2 lot on Rogers Street.

4:16 a.m.: A disturbance was reported on Edgemoor Road.

ESSEX

Thursday May 16

10:46 p.m.: Suspicious activity was reported at a Centennial Grove Road address.

7:51 p.m.: A police investigation was conducted at an Essex Avenue address.

Individuals were assisted on Western Avenue at 8:44 a.m., John Wise Avenue at 4:31 p.m. and Harry Homans Drive at 5:17 p.m.

11:51 a.m.: A call was made for a community policing event at a Martin Street address.

MANCHESTER

Thursday, May 16

6:23 p.m.: After a motor vehicle stop on School Street, a written warning was issued.

2:25 p.m.: A report was made about lost and found property at a Beach Street address.

1:49 p.m.: A disturbance was reported at a School Street address.

Individuals were assisted on Highland Avenue at 11:53 a.m., and Central Street at 8:18 a.m. and 1:10 p.m.

Police investigations were conducted on Crooked Lane at 9:41 a.m. and Federal Street at 11:40 a.m.

9:40 a.m.: A fire alarm, reported at a Bridge Street address, was later determined to be a false alarm.

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May 18, 2024
Austin Pets Alive! | Take Off! — APA! Transport Hub’s Inaugural…

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Transporting pets from Texas to shelters across the country, even as far as Canada, isn’t a new process for APA!.. We’ve done it hundreds of times at this point, with our Transport Program beginning out of desperation to save pets across Texas during Winter Storm Uri in January of 2021. Whether by air or by road, our team has worked with many partner shelters both in Texas and throughout the U.S. to save dogs and cats who otherwise wouldn’t have made it out of the shelter system alive.

The latest milestone for APA! is the establishment of the APA! Transport Hub, a dedicated space tailored to our Transport Program’s needs. This hub, inaugurated recently, marks a significant step forward. While not every pet we assist needs to pass through Austin, many do for a brief ‘pit stop’ while awaiting transfer to their receiving shelter. Previously, we faced logistical challenges housing these animals at our main shelter, sometimes impacting the availability of space for local pets in need. Now, with the APA! Transport Hub, we have a dedicated facility ensuring the smoothest possible transit experience.

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May 6, 2024
KFC Unveils Its First Ever Branded Locomotive Service

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AUCKLAND, New Zealand, April 2, 2024 (Newswire.com)
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It’s full steam ahead as an unmissable ‘super delivery’ service prepares to roll out of Britomart Station for Super Rugby game day at Eden Park via Special PR.

The KFC Gravy Train, KFC’s first-ever wrapped train delivery service in celebration of their partnership with the Blues, offering a free-on-board experience open to anyone with a ticket to the Blues vs Force game travelling to Eden Park ahead of the match on Friday, April 5.

While the exact departure time will remain in the Colonel’s vault (along with the 11-secret herbs and spices recipe), one thing is certain: KFC and Blues fans who find themselves aboard The KFC Gravy Train can expect a lively atmosphere and a crave-able pre-game feast.

This unique partnership goes beyond just delivering finger lickin’ good chicken but emerges as a show of support towards public transport in Auckland. Auckland Transport (AT) hopes people attending big events will consider their transport options when travelling to and from major events, where free public transport is often included with the event ticket.

KFC’s Clark Wilson says, “The KFC Gravy Train is designed to encourage more Kiwis to make the most of game day at Eden Park, and we are very excited to be launching it thanks to AT and the Blues.”

“KFC has been bringing Kiwis together through its iconic taste for over 50 years, but this is the next level; together in a world first, we’re combining two of Kiwis’ favourite passions, Rugby and Fried Chicken.”

Passengers aboard the journey from Britomart to Kingsland Station will be greeted by well-loved former All Blacks and Blues player Carlos Spencer as the Train Conclucktor who’s no stranger to driving buzz and excitement amongst fans.

A group of dedicated KFC ‘wingers’ will be on board with Carlos Spencer, roaming the carriages and serving up some finger lickin’ good KFC.

Train Conclucktor Carlos Spencer added, “I’m thrilled to bring this experience to life and give KFC and Blues fans alike the opportunity to ride The KFC Gravy Train, indulging in two of their favourite things. It’s an experience you don’t want to miss.”

Andrew Hore, CEO of Blues, said: “We’re keen to see more Kiwi’s make the most of live Super Rugby games at Eden Park – it’s a great day out, competitively priced and with free public transport thanks to a tie-up with Auckland Transport. Now, with some complimentary KFC thrown into the mix, the offer has got even better.”

The KFC Gravy Train will depart Britomart Train Station ahead of the game on Friday 5 April with only one KFC Gravy Train service choo-chooing direct to Eden Park.

Source: Special PR

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April 2, 2024
The Baltimore Bridge Collapse Is About to Get Even Messier

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In the early hours of Tuesday morning, the global supply chain and US coastal infrastructure collided in the worst possible way. An enormous container ship, the Dali, slammed into a support of the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore, crumpling its central span into the Patapsco River and cutting off the city’s port from the Atlantic Ocean. Eighteen hours later, at approximately 7:30 pm Tuesday evening, rescuers called off the search, with six missing people presumed dead.

With the wreckage yet to be cleared, the Port of Baltimore—a critical shipping hub—has suspended all water traffic, according to the Maryland Port Administration, though trucks are still moving goods in and out of the area. Baltimore is the ninth busiest port in the US for international trade, meaning the effects of the crash will ripple across the regional, US, and even global economy for however long the 47-year-old bridge takes to fix—a timeline, experts say, that’s still unclear.

This will be a special pain for the auto, farm equipment, and construction industries, because Baltimore handles the most “roll on, roll off” ships on the US east coast—an industry term for those designed to handle wheeled cargo. The port has the special equipment to move these products, workers trained in how to use it, and, critically, a location within an overnight driving distance of the densely populated Eastern Seaboard and heavily farmed Midwest.

Almost 850,000 cars and light trucks came through the port last year. So did 1.3 million tons of farm and construction machinery.

Fortunately for the logistics industry, there are some alternative routes both for ships coming into port and trucks crossing the river. Two tunnels traverse the Patapsco, and could take some of the goods and people that once traveled across the Key Bridge, which was also part of Maryland Route 695. Nearby ports, including Norfolk in Virginia, Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, and Savannah in Georgia, should be able to accept many of the goods usually handled by Baltimore’s port.

But the shipping picture will get more complicated the longer the disaster takes to resolve. Ships haul big, heavy goods in large quantities across oceans, albeit relatively slowly—meaning changes to their routes and destinations can add a lot of time to a journey. If a ship is hauling a bunch of different cargos for a bunch of different industries, a holdup along the way causes a lot of people to be screaming for their supplies.

“Everybody right now is saying, ‘We’re just going to reroute, it’s going to be fine,’” says Nada Sanders, an expert in supply chain management at Northeastern University. “If this lasts a while, it’s not going to be fine. It’s going to impact prices.”

Bigger Ships, Same Bridge

The destruction of the bridge also underlines that boats are getting bigger. Trade transport volume across the seas has tripled in the last three decades. At nearly 1,000 feet long, the Dali is emblematic of the ballooning shipping industry.

The growth of boats is down to simple economics: The more goods you can cram on a ship, the more you save on costs. “The amount of cargo has increased tremendously,” says Zal Phiroz, a supply chain analyst at the University of California, San Diego. “This has been impacted to a great degree by Covid, and after Covid as well. The prices of cargo skyrocketed, the prices of containers skyrocketed. Everything just went through the roof.”

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Aarian Marshall, Matt Simon

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March 27, 2024
How once-biggest train station was left abandoned before transformation

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EUROPE’S most luxurious train station left abandoned for decades has been transformed into an amazing hotel.

The Canfranc International railway station was once dubbed the “Titanic of the Mountains” when it first opened in July 1928 but it quickly endured a dramatic decline.

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Canfranc International railway station was abandoned for decadesCredit: Alamy

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After closing in 1970, the station experienced a major decline and neglectCredit: Alamy

13

It has since been transformed into a five-star luxurious hotel, which opened in 2023Credit: Barceló Hotels & Resorts

Nestled high in the mountains against the stunning backdrop of the Spanish Pyrenees, the station’s story hasn’t shared quite the same beauty.

Located on the remote border of Spain and France, Canfranc International was once Europe’s second biggest train station.

Yet it has been inoperative since 1970, when a freight train derailed from its tracks and damaged a key bridge in France.

Following its abandonment, historic guided tours of the site provided the only way to still gain access.

However, the station was eventually sold in 2013 and finally rebuilt in 2021 as a new hotel, which welcomed its first guests in February 2023.

But before then, it had become a rotting wasteland and a vintage train graveyard.

Built in 1928, the station was constructed on a grand scale to serve as a major hub for cross-border railway traffic.

With 365 windows and 200m-long platforms, it became quite the spectacle.

The station had played a key role during the Second World War and witnessed arrests, espionage and gold trafficking.

It became known as the “Titanic of the Mountains”, although experts are yet to agree exactly why that was.

Inside world’s most luxurious TRAIN dubbed ‘luxury hotel on wheels’ complete with hot tubs & onboard restaurant

Some historians, like Alfonso Marco, hypothesise that the station’s “monumental and enormous” structure was easily comparable to that of the ill-fated ship.

Regardless, that “relatively minor accident” less than 50 years after opening saw Canfranc International experience a major decline and neglect, resulting in much of the site becoming derelict.

Marco said: “The bridge could have been replaced without problems, but the temporary suspension of the service gave the opportunity to close a line that France was no longer interested in.”

But after decades of neglect, a new project involving the Government of Aragon, France and the European Commission was launched in the hope of bringing the station back to its former glory.

Hoping to reach completion by 2026, the project is also looking to refurbish Canfranc and reactivate the rail line between Spain and France.

A smaller and more accessible rail station is also being built nearby.

As for the station itself, its wide spaces have already been converted into a five-star hotel with 104 rooms, including four suites.

A wellness area, including a pool and three restaurants, also make up the luxurious area, while the old station concourse is now the hotel reception.

Hotel guest Thomas O’Hare told CNN: “The rooms and bar and restaurant follow this nice feel of modern interior with a heavy gesture towards its history of rail travel.”

However, one quibble he has is the extra €15 (£12) cost per guest for using the hotel pool.

Nonetheless, its remarkable revamp and incredible mountainside setting has put Canfranc back on the map as one of the world’s most picturesque locations.

13

Much of the site became derelict following its closure in 1970Credit: Alamy

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The station was sold in 2013 and renovation began in 2021Credit: Alamy

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The station revamp is part of a wider project hoping to be completed by 2026Credit: Alamy

13

Inside the new lavish accommodationCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk

13

The old station concourse is now the hotel receptionCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk

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Part of the interior of the main building had been transformed into a museum of the old Pau-Zaragoza railway lineCredit: Alamy

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The facilities had been ruined prior to its refurbishmentCredit: Alamy

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Nature had taken over and the site had begun to rot and crumbleCredit: Alamy

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Canfranc International Railway Station after opening in 1928Credit: Getty

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The station played a major role in the Second World WarCredit: Alamy

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Tom Malley

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March 4, 2024
Inside graveyard of Soviet train with jet engine that could hit 220mph

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THE dreams of Soviet engineers for a turbo train had died down but the vision of the future sat rotting in the yard of the factory for years to come.

Engineers once imagined we could be commuting in the morning on jet-powered trains like the SVL, with its elegant, rounded looks and two massive engines fastened to the roof.

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The rusting remains of an abandoned Soviet Union jet train, the SVLCredit: TIHOMIROV.SU

6

The SVL was once capable of travelling at 160mph, and was expected to exceed 220mphCredit: Getty

6

After five years of testing, the project was wrapped up and the train was left to rotCredit: TIHOMIROV.SU

6

Soviet-era poster of jet-powered train with mentions of turbo planes and yachtsCredit: Alamy

Now instead the futuristic looking locomotive sits slowing disintegrating in a factory yard in Kalininsky, St Petersburg.

The 50 ton jet-powered train could reportedly hit speeds of around 180mph as it hurtled along the tracks powered by its jet engines.

But it was believed with the right track the 28 metre train car could have exceeded 220mph.

In the 1960s, Soviet passenger trains travelled at an average speed of around 40mph.

And when the US had launched their ambitious project of a jet-powered train, the USSR couldn’t fall behind the competition.

The American M-497 Black Beetle was built in 1966 – hitting speeds of 184mph.

The Soviet engineers were then tasked to build an experimental train which would rival the US model.

The experimental train was built in the 1970 by researchers at Kalinin Carriage Works.

Designers took a standard train car and attached to the roof a pair of engines from a Yak-40 passenger plane.

The superfast train is reported to have performed well in tests – reaching well towards speeds of 200mph.

And this was much faster than other contemporary high speed trains, such as the original Japanese bullet train, the Shinkansen.

Russia‘s turbo train – officially dubbed the High Speed Laboratory Car – was unveiled in October, 1970.

It would be run on an experimental testing track under the control of engineer Mikhail Nepryaev and aircraft mechanic Alexei Lozov.

Five years of testing followed which saw the super speed train even run on some public stretches of railway as it roared on.

Abandoned top-secret Soviet ‘Sea Monster’ megaplane bigger than a Boeing 747 with 8 massive jet engines dumped on shore

The All-Union Research Institute of Carriage Building boasted the train could have hit speeds of up 223mph.

And they hoped their train could have fronted a new generation of railways criss-crossing the Soviet Union.

But as the Communist block slowly began to eat itself, such ambitious plans were shelved and put on ice.

The SVL stood idle and abandoned at a station near Moscow.

It started to rust away – taking with it Russia‘s dreams of a high speed jet powered rail network.

There were problems with the train’s stability at high speed, but the designers were confident they could overcome this.

The commercial use of the experimental train was also hindered by the state of Soviet railways which were ill-fitted to provide travel speed of over 86mph.

And there were also issues with noise from the roaring jets as it passed through densely populated areas.

The solutions to these problems were impractical or high-cost, which led to the halt of the project.

The dreams of the jet train died, and soon the rusting wreck was moved to the factory yard in St Petersburg.

The train however after sitting falling to pieces for decades was eventually salvaged and given a fitting memorial.

The front was chopped off and repainted – being installed on a plinth outside the Tver Carriage Works.

The American jet-powered train was short-lived as well – with the RDC-3 being scrapped in 1984.

But the US eventually succeeded in revolutionising the rail industry with the even more impressive LIMRV built in the 1970s – eventually hitting speeds of 256mph.

It set the world speed record for vehicles travelling using conventional rails.

The future however seems to have moved past the dreams of jet trains.

And instead, designers are looking at “maglev” technology such as Elon Musk’s plan for the Hyperloop.

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The train had been rusting in the yard for almost 32 yearsCredit: TIHOMIROV.SU

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There were plans to turn the train into a cafe at one point but they fell through

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Aiya Zhussupova

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February 5, 2024
United pulls plans for Boeing’s biggest 737 Max jet after Max 9 groundings

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United Airlines Holdings Inc. on Tuesday said it was rethinking its longer-term plans for Boeing’s biggest 737 Max jet, the Max 10, after the government’s grounding of dozens of Max 9s this month raised questions over whether the aircraft maker could still deliver planes on time.

United
UAL,
+5.31%
Chief Executive Scott Kirby said during the airline’s earnings call on Tuesday that it wasn’t canceling its orders for the Max 10. But he said the airline was taking the jet “out of our internal plans.”

“We’ll be working on what that means exactly with Boeing,” he said. “But Boeing is not going to be able to meet their contractual deliveries on at least many of those airplanes.”

United, during the call, said that it had 277 Max 10 jets on order for the rest of the decade. Of the 107 jets set for delivery this year, 31 were Max 9s. But Chief Financial Officer Michael Leskinen said was “unrealistic” to expect those jets to arrive as currently planned.

“Look,” he said. “The reality is that with the with the Max grounding, this is the kind of straw that broke the camel’s back with believing that the Max 10 will deliver on the schedule we had hoped for.”

He added: “It’s a great aircraft. But we can’t count on it. So we’re working on alternate plans.”

The decision on the Max 10 marks the latest blow to Boeing’s
BA,
-1.60%
reputation, as safety concerns pile up after a panel tore off a 737 Max 9 jet flown by Alaska Airlines earlier this month.

The Federal Aviation Administration grounded 171 Boeing 737 Max 9s for inspections, leading to scores of flight cancellations for both United and Alaska
ALK,
+2.87%.
United, when it reported fourth-quarter results on Monday, said it expected to lose money in the first quarter, following the impact of those cancellations. Still, shares were up on Tuesday on United’s full-year profit forecast.

The FAA over the weekend also recommended that operators of Boeing’s 737-900ER planes “visually inspect mid-exit door plugs to ensure the door is properly secured.” Regulators around the world grounded the 737 Max in 2019 after two fatal crashes.

Meanwhile, Ben Minicucci, the chief executive of Alaska Airlines, in an interview with NBC News published Tuesday, said inspectors found loose bolts on “many” of its Boeing 737 Max 9s after the mid-flight blowout.

“I’m more than frustrated and disappointed,” he said in that interview. “I am angry. This happened to Alaska Airlines. It happened to our guests and happened to our people. And my demand on Boeing is, what are they going to do to improve their quality programs in-house?”

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January 23, 2024
Boeing’s financials won’t be hurt by latest 737 Max issues, analysts say. The company’s size is one reason.

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Alaska Airlines, United Airlines and Turkish Airlines have all grounded their Boeing 737 Max 9 airplanes after part of one such jet tore away during an Alaska Airlines flight on Friday. But despite the potential safety risks for travelers and further damage to Boeing’s
BA,
-8.03%
reputation, some Wall Street analysts, for now, have downplayed the financial impact for the jet maker.

In part, they pointed to the company’s status as one of two major players in aircraft production — the other being Airbus
EADSY,
+3.52%.
They also cited a tighter supply of available aircraft and limited near-term impact, at least while investigators try to figure out the cause of the incident.

Those airlines and others took the action over the weekend after a panel on a jet blew out about 10 minutes into Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 at an altitude of about 16,000 feet.

No one died in the incident. But the Federal Aviation Administration ordered the temporary grounding of certain Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft. The order covered 171 planes.

Shares of Boeing fell 8.2% as the stock weighed on the Dow Jones Industrial Average
DJIA.

Still, some Wall Street analysts on Monday said to buy the stock anyway. They said the latest difficulties with the aircraft — which follow the 2019 grounding of Max jets by many nations following two fatal crashes — were unlikely to have a big near-term financial impact.

BofA analysts, in a research note dated Sunday, said that “at this point in time, due to the duopoly nature of the industry, we do not see this impacting orders for any of the 737 MAX variants. However, if the hits to the program do keep coming … at some point, the flying public may lose confidence in the 737 MAX which could ultimately impact sales.”

The analysts said it wasn’t clear yet whether the blowout on Friday was due to an assembly mistake at Boeing, an improper installation from fuselage maker Spirit AeroSystems or oversight issues elsewhere. But they noted that the aircraft was relatively new, having been delivered on Oct. 31. And they said that “some scrutiny must be saved for regulators as well, as the FAA is ultimately responsible for certificating these aircraft before delivery.”

Spirit AeroSystems’ stock
SPR,
-11.13%
was down 11%.

Analysts at William Blair also said they didn’t expect a big hit to Boeing’s financials.

“While the Alaska Airlines door plug accident was terrifying, we do not believe that it will have a major financial impact, unless another incident occurs after the aircraft returns to service,” they said in a note on Monday.

Analysts there estimated that over the past two months, the Max 9 made up less than one-fifth of Boeing’s total deliveries. They said those deliveries would only be “modestly impacted over the first quarter as it could take some time to determine the cause.”

Of the 23 analyst ratings on Boeing’s stock tracked by FactSet, 18 are buy ratings or the equivalent.

Read more: How Boeing’s latest 737 Max problem is hurting the Dow

However, Morgan Stanley analyst Ravi Shanker said the 737 Max 9 issues will likely disrupt first-quarter results for United Airlines
UAL,
+2.78%
and Alaska Air
ALK,
-0.21%.

“This will hopefully be a situation resolved in days/weeks rather than months, but it will also serve as a reminder of how fragile airline capacity can be despite the overhang of capacity,” Shanker said in a Monday research note.

United Airlines’ stock rose 2.4% on Monday, while Alaska Air’s dipped by 0.3%.

Along with United Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Turkish Airlines, Copa Airlines and Aeromexico grounded about 40 Boeing 737 Max 9 planes, according to reports.

According to Deutsche Bank analysts, the affected fleet accounts for 16.1% of Alaska Airlines flights and 6.6% of United flights, although United has more 737 Max 9 aircraft than Alaska.

Other airlines with the plane in their fleet include Jet Airways of India with one plane, Jin Air of Korea with three, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
KLMR,

with five and Korean Air Lines
003490,
-1.52%
with nine, according to Planespotter.net.

European regulators also grounded the 737 Max 9 for inspection.

Some major airlines do not have any 737 Max 9s in their fleets, including American Airlines
AAL,
+7.21%,
Southwest Airlines
LUV,
-0.10%
and Air Canada
AC,
+3.42%,
according to reports.

Also read: Shares in Boeing slump, supplier Spirit AeroSystems tanks, after panel blows out

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January 8, 2024
Alaska Airlines grounds all Boeing 737-9 Max planes after flight suffers midair window blowout

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Alaska Airlines grounded all of its Boeing 737-9 aircraft late Friday, hours after a window and piece of fuselage on one such plane blew out in midair and forced an emergency landing in Portland, Oregon.

The incident occurred shortly after takeoff and the gaping hole caused the cabin to depressurize. Flight data showed the plane climbed to 16,000 feet (4,876 meters) before returning to Portland International Airport.

The airline
ALK,
+3.10%
said the plane landed safely with 174 passengers and six crew members.

“Following tonight’s event on Flight 1282, we have decided to take the precautionary step of temporarily grounding our fleet of 65 Boeing 737-9 aircraft,” Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci said in a statement.

Each of the aircraft will be returned to service after full maintenance and safety inspections, which Minicucci said the airline anticipated completing within days.

The airline provided no immediate information about whether anyone was injured or the possible cause.

The plane was diverted about about six minutes after taking off at 5:07 p.m., according to flight tracking data from the FlightAware website. It landed at 5:26 p.m.

The pilot told Portland air traffic controllers the plane had an emergency, was depressurized and needed to return to the airport, according to a recording made by the website LiveATC.net.

A passenger sent KATU-TV in Portland a photo showing the hole in the side of the airplane next to passenger seats. Video shared with the station showed people wearing oxygen masks and passengers clapping as the plane landed.

The National Transportation Safety Board said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that it was investigating an event on the flight and would post updates when they are available. The Federal Aviation Administration also said it would investigate.

The Boeing 737-9 MAX involved in the incident rolled off the assembly line and received its certification just two months ago, according to online FAA records.

The plane had been on 145 flights since entering commercial service on Nov. 11, said FlightRadar24, another tracking service. The flight from Portland was the aircraft’s third of the day.

Boeing
BA,
+1.66%
said it was aware of the incident, working to gather more information and ready to support the investigation.

The Max is the newest version of Boeing’s venerable 737, a twin-engine, single-aisle plane frequently used on U.S. domestic flights. The plane went into service in May 2017.

Two Max 8 jets crashed in 2018 and 2019, killing 346 people and leading to a near two-year worldwide grounding of all Max 8 and Max 9 planes.

The planes returned to service only after Boeing made changes to an automated flight control system implicated in the crashes.

Last year, the FAA told pilots to limit use of an anti-ice system on the Max in dry conditions because of concern that inlets around the engines could overheat and break away, possibly striking the plane.

Max deliveries have been interrupted at times to fix manufacturing flaws. The company told airlines in December to inspect the planes for a possible loose bolt in the rudder-control system.

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January 6, 2024
Poland reaches deal with farmers to call off blockade of Ukraine border crossing

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Polish farmers ended a blockade of a Poland-Ukraine border crossing after reaching an agreement with Warsaw that met their demands, defusing a dispute that had become an early test of the new government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

Newly appointed Polish Agriculture Minister Czesław Siekierski signed the deal with Polish farmers blockading the Medyka-Shehyni border crossing with Ukraine late Saturday. The protest — which started over a month ago — was called off on December 24 following an agreement with the government, but it resumed on Wednesday amid farmers’ mistrust over the deal.

Farmers accused the new Polish government of failing to defend them against Ukrainian grain imports, but also demanded a series of financial support measures. Saturday’s deal finally implemented those financial demands — which include launching corn production subsidies, maintaining agricultural taxes at 2023 levels and increasing preferential liquidity loans — but didn’t include restrictions on Ukraine imports.

The measures “will be implemented after the legislative process is completed and acceptance by the European Commission is obtained,” the Polish Agriculture Ministry said.

Despite calling off the blockade, protesting farmers said that the “most important” demand now is “to limit the inflow of goods from Ukraine.” EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski told Polish media on Friday that he would demand an EU-wide restriction on items like sugar, eggs and poultry from Ukraine.

“These imports are growing in a way that threatens the competitiveness of the EU sector, including Polish poultry and sugar production,” he said. The Polish commissioner has already clashed with other members of the European Commission over full trade liberalization with Ukraine, which the EU executive is expected to recommend as early as next week.

“Ukraine is such a country that they just want to take, take, take, and give nothing back,” Roman Kondrów, one of the protest leaders, told POLITICO by phone on Thursday, warning about the risks of allowing the country to join the EU without restrictions.

In the meantime, Polish truckers are continuing to protest as they want the government to end an EU-Ukraine agreement that liberalized road transport rules in an effort to help the Ukrainian economy, crippled by the Russian invasion.

Underpinning the narratives of both groups are doomsday scenarios about the impact on Poland of Ukraine one day becoming a member of the EU. At a summit in December, EU leaders agreed to open accession talks with Ukraine.

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PAULA ANDRéS

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January 3, 2024
Wellington CBD street parking switches to Pay by Plate next week (Wednesday 3 January) – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

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Friday, 29 December 2023, 5:57 pm
Press Release: Wellington City Council

Central Wellington’s ageing parking meter system is
being updated with new technology, with the new meters
installed and going live next week.

There are 400 new
Pay by Plate machines in central Wellington, Kelburn and by
the Botanic Gardens ki Paekākā; 260 are card-only and 140
are cash and card machines. The new parking system will be
live from Wednesday 3 January.

Pay by Plate is a
paperless system that uses the vehicle plate number, rather
than a numbered car park, to record the parking time and
payment.

Parking prices will stay the same, from $3 –
$5 per hour on weekdays depending on the location, and $3
per hour on weekends.

So what do you need to know to
be ready for the switch?

Tips for smooth parking with
Pay by Plate:

· There are two types of new meter –
all meters accept PayWave and a third of them also take
coins.

· Coin/card meters are the black and yellow
rectangular meters that sit on the ground, the card-only
meters are on a pole.

· Take a note of your Parking
Area, which is on the side of the meter, eg W01. You can
ignore the old kerbside numbers – these will be removed in
the new year.

· Your active parking session can be
used in any parking space until it expires, so long as the
vehicle plate number and parking area are the same. If you
park in another parking area which has a different ‘W’
(Wellington) number, you’ll need…

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MMP News Author

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December 28, 2023
Austin Pets Alive! | Special Holiday Announcement from Dr. Jefferson

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Zero is the kind of young, handsome, playful dog who is quickly adopted in most shelters. He has a smile that’ll make YOU smile, too.

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December 24, 2023
The price tag of COP28’s renewable energy pledge

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COP28 wrapped on Wednesday with officials touting a pledge to triple the world’s renewable energy capacity by 2030. It even came twinned with a vow to double global energy-saving efforts over the same period.

Predictably, the promise came with some high-flying rhetoric.

COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber, the oil CEO helming the talks, claimed the goal “aligns more countries and companies around the North Star of keeping 1.5 degrees Celsius within reach than ever before,” referring to the Paris Agreement target for limiting global warming.

But are the flashy pledges as ambitious as they sound? POLITICO crunched the numbers and here’s what we found: While the renewable energy target is well within reach, progress on energy efficiency has been a lot slower.

Countries would need to cut their energy intensity — the amount of energy used per unit of GDP — at least twice as fast between 2023 and 2030 as they did in previous years, which calls for major investments and substantial changes in individual behavior.

To achieve the renewable target, countries will need to bet big on solar and wind. These two technologies are set to account for around 90 percent of new capacity additions, due to their increasing availability and decreasing costs.

Improving energy efficiency is a more complex challenge. It will require action on multiple fronts, from housing and construction to mobility and consumer behavior.

Progress has been unequal and largely concentrated in richer countries, which also tend to attract most of the private investment in green technology. Good headway has been made in some areas like the electrification of transport, while building renovation is lagging.

If world leaders are serious about these pledges, they’ll have to put their money where their mouth is (or convince private investors to do so) and mobilize nearly $30 trillion in green investment between now and 2030, with buildings and the industrial sector taking the lion’s share of these funds.

Pricey, perhaps, but still probably cheaper than environmental catastrophe.

Karl Mathiesen contributed reporting.

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Giovanna Coi

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December 11, 2023