CONSUMER ADVISORY: NHTSA ADVISES OWNERS OF CERTAIN FORD FIESTA, FUSION AND LINCOLN MKZ VEHICLES TO TAKE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WASHINGTON – In response to Ford Motor Company’s recall of approximately 390,000 Ford Fiesta, Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration advises owners of affected vehicles to watch for notification from Ford and get their vehicle fixed as soon as possible.
The defective door latches on these vehicles can prevent the door from properly closing. This can result in the door opening while the vehicle is moving.
The recall affects certain model year 2012-2014 Ford Fiestas, all model year 2013 Ford Fusions and Lincoln MKZs, and certain model year 2014 Ford Fusions and Lincoln MKZs.
CONSUMER ACTIONS:
Stay connected with NHTSA: # # #
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CONSUMER ADVISORY: NHTSA ADVISES OWNERS OF CERTAIN FORD FIESTA, FUSION AND LINCOLN MKZ VEHICLES TO TAKE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
BTS Releases 4th-Quarter 2014 Air Fare Data
BTS 21-15 Advisory Tuesday, April 28, 2015 Contact: Dave Smallen Tel: 202-366-5568
BTS Releases 4th-Quarter 2014 Air Fare Data
The average domestic air fare increased to $393 in the fourth quarter of 2014, up 2.0 percent from $385 in the fourth quarter of 2013, adjusted for inflation, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported today. Of the 100 busiest airports, during the October to December 2014 period, passengers originating in Madison, Wisconsin, paid the highest average fare, $505, while passengers originating in Sanford, Florida, paid the lowest, $99.
BTS reports average fares based on domestic itinerary fares. Itinerary fares consist of round-trip fares, unless the customer does not purchase a return trip. In that case, the one-way fare is included. One-way trips accounted for 31 percent of fares calculated for the fourth quarter of 2014. Fares are based on the total ticket value, which consists of the price charged by the airlines plus any additional taxes and fees levied by an outside entity at the time of purchase. Fares include only the price paid at the time of the ticket purchase and do not include fees for optional services, such as baggage fees. Averages do not include frequent-flyer or “zero fares,” or abnormally high reported fares. Constant 2014 dollars are used for inflation adjustment.
Inflation-Adjusted Air Fares Fourth-quarter fares rose 10.2 percent from the recession-affected low of $348 in 2009 to the fourth quarter of 2011. Since 2011, fourth-quarter fares have shown little change, increasing 2.4 percent from 2011 to 2014.
The fourth-quarter 2014 fare was down 14.4 percent from the average fare of $459 in 2000, the highest inflation-adjusted fourth quarter average fare in the 19 years since BTS began collecting air fare records in 1995. The 14.4 percent decline took place while overall consumer prices rose 37 percent. Since 1995, inflation-adjusted fares declined 10.8 percent compared to a 55.4 percent increase in overall consumer prices.
U.S. passenger airlines collected 71.2 percent of their total revenue from passenger fares during the third quarter of 2014, the latest period for which revenue data are available, down from 1990 when 87.6 percent of airline revenue was received from fares.
Annual Fares The average fare of $391 for the full year 2014 was up 0.6 percent, inflation-adjusted, from the 2013 average fare of $389 but down 16.2 percent from the inflation-adjusted annual high of $467 in 2000. Not adjusted for inflation, the $391 average fare in 2014 is the highest annual fare since BTS began collecting air fare records in 1995, 2.5 percent higher than the previous high of $382 in 2013.
See BTS Air Fare Release for summary tables and additional data. See BTS Air Fare web page for historic data.
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U.S. Transportation Secretary Foxx Announces LadderStep Technical Assistance Program
DOT 38-15 Thursday, April 23, 2015 Contact: DOT Press Office Tel: 202-366-4570
U.S. Transportation Secretary Foxx Announces LadderStep Technical Assistance Program
INDIANAPOLIS – U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx today announced a new technical assistance program – LadderSTEP – that will help seven cities foster sustainable economic development related to planned transportation projects. The choices made regarding transportation infrastructure at the Federal, State, and local levels can revitalize communities, create pathways to work, and connect hardworking Americans to a better quality of life. Today’s announcement is part of a broader program at the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) that examines those choices, Ladders of Opportunity, and LadderSTEP is just one part of USDOT’s efforts to help promote opportunities for all Americans.
“Transportation plays a critical role in connecting Americans and communities to economic opportunity,” Secretary Foxx said. “This pilot program is not only about helping seven cities achieve their visions for projects, but also about demonstrating that transportation infrastructure is about the people that use it, and not just the equipment needed to build it.”
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) LadderSTEP pilot program will provide Atlanta, Baltimore, Baton Rouge, Charlotte, Indianapolis, Phoenix, and Richmond with technical assistance to help promote thoughtful planning and economic growth.
City: Focus Area: Related Projects: Atlanta Vine City MARTA, Beltline, Streetcar Baltimore West Baltimore MARC Station Baton Rouge South Baton Rouge Nicholson Corridor Transit Charlotte West Trade Area Gold Line Indianapolis Red Line Corridor Red Line Bus Rapid Transit Phoenix South Phoenix Light Rail Transit Richmond Greater Fulton Broad Street Bus Rapid Transit
A number of national organizations have expressed interest in providing this technical assistance to the cities included in this pilot program, including:
Other organizations interested in assisting these cities in revitalizing these communities should contact USDOT for information.
The Ladders of Opportunity program at USDOT seeks to help more Americans reach opportunity by ensuring that our transportation system provides reliable, safe, and affordable ways to reach jobs, education and other essential services. LadderSTEP is one part of USDOT’s efforts to create those opportunities. Other initiatives in this program include;
Later this month, USDOT will host a summit of regional planners from across the country who want to better use data to integrate Ladders elements into their planning processes.
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BTS Releases February 2015 Passenger Airline Employment Data
BTS 20-15 Thursday, April 23, 2015 Contact: Dave Smallen Tel: 202-366-5568 BTS Releases February 2015 Passenger Airline Employment Data U.S. scheduled passenger airlines employed 388,983 workers in February 2015, 1.8 percent more than in February 2014, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported today. February was the 15th consecutive month that full-time equivalent (FTE) employment for U.S. scheduled passenger airlines exceeded the same month of the previous year and was the highest monthly total since August 2012.
Month-to-month, the number of FTEs rose 0.6 percent from January to February, following a one-month decline (Table 1A). Scheduled passenger airline categories include network, low-cost, regional and other airlines.
The five network airlines that collectively employ two-thirds of the scheduled passenger airline FTEs reported 1.4 percent more FTEs in February 2015 than in February 2014. Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and US Airways increased FTEs from February 2014 while United Airlines reduced FTEs. Month-to-month, the number of network airline FTEs rose 0.5 percent from January to February, rising for the fifth consecutive month. Network airlines operate a significant portion of their flights using at least one hub where connections are made for flights to down-line destinations or spoke cities.
The six low-cost carriers reported 4.6 percent more FTEs in February 2015 than in February 2014. Allegiant Airlines, Spirit Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, Virgin America and Frontier Airlines – all reported increases. Month-to-month, the number of low-cost airline FTEs rose 0.6 percent from January to February, rising for the second consecutive month. Low-cost airlines operate under a low-cost business model, with infrastructure and aircraft operating costs below the overall industry average.
The 12 regional carriers reported 0.3 percent fewer FTEs in February 2015 than in February 2014. Six regional airlines – PSA Airlines, Mesa Airlines, Republic Airlines, Compass Airlines, Horizon Air and GoJet Airlines– reported increased employment levels. The others reported decreases. Month-to-month, the number of regional airline FTEs rose 1.7 percent from January to February, following two consecutive monthly declines. Regional carriers typically provide service from small cities, using primarily regional jets to support the network carriers’ hub and spoke systems.
See Passenger Airline Employment press release for summary tables and additional data. Historical employment data can be found on the BTS web site.
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BTS Releases February 2015 North American Freight Numbers
BTS 19-15 Wednesday, April 22, 2015 Contact: Dave Smallen Tel: 202-366-5568
BTS Releases February 2015 North American Freight Numbers
U.S.-NAFTA freight totaled $85.7 billion in February 2015 as two out of five transportation modes – air and truck – carried more U.S.-NAFTA freight than in February 2014, according to the TransBorder Freight Data released today by theU.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). The $85.7 billion total is the lowest February value for U.S.-NAFTA freight since 2011. Year-over-year, the value of U.S.-NAFTA freight flows by all modes decreased by 4.3 percent. The value of NAFTA trade by pipeline and vessel declined in February due to the reduced unit price of mineral fuel shipments.
Freight by Mode In February 2015 compared to February 2014, the value of commodities moving by air grew by the largest percentage of any mode, 4.5 percent. Truck freight increased by 0.9 percent. Rail freight decreased by 6.2 percent. Pipeline freight decreased by 22.8 percent and vessel freight decreased by 29.0 mainly due to the lower unit price of mineral fuel shipments.
Trucks carried 63.1 percent of U.S.-NAFTA freight and are the most heavily utilized mode for moving goods to and from both U.S.-NAFTA partners. Trucks accounted for $26.9 billion of the $45.7 billion of imports (58.9 percent) and $27.2 billion of the $40.0 billion of exports (67.9 percent).
Rail remained the second largest mode, moving 14.4 percent of all U.S.-NAFTA freight, followed by vessel, 7.1 percent; pipeline, 6.1 percent; and air, 3.8 percent. The surface transportation modes of truck, rail and pipeline carried 83.7 percent of the total U.S.-NAFTA freight flows.
U.S.-Canada Freight U.S.-Canada freight totaled $45.1 billion in February 2015 as only one out of five transportation modes –air– carried more U.S.-Canada freight than in February 2014. Year-over-year, the value of U.S.-Canada trade by air increased by 3.0 percent. Truck freight decreased by 2.9 percent and rail decreased by 13.3 percent. Pipeline freight decreased by 22.8 percent and vessel decreased by 26.5 percent, mainly due to lower mineral fuel prices.
Trucks carried 57.2 percent of the $45.1 billion of freight to and from Canada, followed by rail, 14.6 percent; pipeline, 11.0 percent; vessel, 4.9 percent and air, 4.7 percent. The surface transportation modes of truck, rail and pipeline carried 82.9 percent of the total U.S.-Canada freight flows.
U.S.-Mexico Freight U.S.-Mexico freight totaled $40.6 billion in February 2015 as three out of five transportation modes –air, truck, and rail– carried more U.S.-Mexico freight than in February 2014. Year-over-year, the value of U.S.-Mexico air freight rose 7.4 percent, the largest percentage increase of any mode. Freight carried by truck increased by 4.7 percent and rail freight increased by 3.3 percent. Pipeline freight decreased by 23.1 percent and vessel freight decreased by 30.4 percent, mainly due to lower mineral fuel prices.
Trucks carried 69.6 percent of the $40.6 billion of freight to and from Mexico, followed by rail, 14.2 percent; vessel, 9.5 percent; air, 2.9 percent; and pipeline, 0.7 percent. The surface transportation modes of truck, rail and pipeline carried 84.5 percent of the total U.S.-Mexico freight flows.
See BTS Transborder Data Release for summary tables and additional data. See North American Transborder Freight Data on the BTS website for additional data for surface modes since 1995 and all modes since 2004.
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