(From the FT.com) US safety officials announced on Thursday that they had received more than 60 complaints from Toyota owners who were still experiencing sudden unintended acceleration even though their vehicles had been repaired by Toyota dealers. (more…)

Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich and Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas will be in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, February 24, 2010, to meet with Congressional leaders and key transportation officials to secure additional funds for the Gold Line Foothill Extension and the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Line.

(From the AP) Los Angeles officials have broken ground on a $1.5 billion construction project at Los Angeles International Airport. The ceremony on Monday begins of one of the largest public works project in the city’s history. The expansion of the Tom Bradley international terminal will include construction of nine gates, two concourses with larger passenger lounges, and expanded customs and immigration facilities. (more…)

Gee, here is a story about a business that appears to put profits in front safety and people’s lives. Are you surprised and shocked? We’re not and it would certainly make us think twice about buying a Toyota in the future!  (From the N.Y. Times) Toyota estimated that it saved $100 million by negotiating with regulators for a limited recall of 2007 Toyota Camry and Lexus ES models for sudden acceleration, the same problem that has since prompted it to recall millions of cars, documents turned over to a Congressional committee showed Sunday. (more…)

(From the N.Y. Times) When weather forecasters predicted severe winter storms across the country in the last few weeks, airlines sent their customers a steady stream of e-mail and text messages, giving them a chance to change their itineraries ahead of the bad weather. (more…)

Bicycle riders are invited to participate in a new countywide Bicycle Master Plan currently being developed by the Los Angeles County Public Works Department. The Master Plan seeks to expand and connect the county network of bikeways, improve existing County-maintained bicycle facilities, develop and adopt a prioritized list of proposed new bikeway and bicycle projects, and encourage additional bikeway usage. (more…)

(From the N.Y. Times) Toyota’s president, Akio Toyoda, presented a slew of steps Wednesday aimed at restoring trust in the embattled Japanese automaker, including installing new brake-override systems in all future models and quicker disclosure of defects in its cars. He also said he would consider testifying before the U.S. Congress if a formal request were made. (more…)

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) will be hosting the first Bicycle Roundtable on Feb. 19 to discuss Los Angeles County bicycle issues, and invites cycling community participation. (more…)

(From the AP) Toyota’s dealers, who have started to repair defective gas pedals in millions of U.S. vehicles, are extending hours, making house calls and offering other services as they try to repair the damage to Toyota’s reputation. (more…)

Concerned about rising litigation cost by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas today urged the Board of Supervisors to authorize an audit by the County Auditor-Controller of the agency’s cost management process. (more…)

(From the Sacramento Bee)  Toyota says it’s found a fix to its problem of sticky accelerator pedals. That problem has triggered one of the company’s largest recalls, an unprecedented halt in sales and a public relations headache. But amid the avalanche of news reports, some drivers are still scratching their heads over the basics. How does a pedal get “sticky”? And how worried should I be? Here are some answers. (more…)

(From the N.Y. Times) Toyota Motor on Monday said it would begin fixing accelerator pedals in millions of recalled vehicles this week, with some dealerships staying open around the clock to speed the process. (more…)

(From the FT.com) Toyota’s 1,200 US dealers are putting a brave face on the recall of vehicles with potentially defective accelerator pedals and a freeze on sales of some of Toyota’s most popular models. “We have a lot of confidence in Toyota that they’ll expedite this recall and get on to bigger and better things,” said John Ball, sales manager at Tansky Sawmill Toyota, a dealership situated on the outskirts of Columbus, Ohio. (more…)

(From the AP) Supporters of high-speed rail in California have hailed the federal government’s $2.25 billion grant for the state, saying the announcement in Washington Thursday represents a down payment on the proposed 800-mile system. (more…)

(From the Sacramento Bee) President Barack Obama’s State of the Union shout-out for high-speed rail will now translate into more than $8 billion spread among states including California, Washington, North Carolina and Florida. (more…)

(From the AP) Federal Aviation Administration officials say an error by an air traffic controller allowed a commuter plane to get too close to a Boeing 767 on approach to Los Angeles International Airport last week. (more…)

Despite efforts by the city of Palmdale, supported by Los Angeles County, to assume control of the Palmdale Airport, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) has refused to give up the airport terminal’s lease, which continues in effect through 2011 — although LAWA ceased commercial air operations at Palmdale Airport in December 2008. (more…)

To prevent cutting vital commuter services for the residents of the Antelope, San Fernando, San Gabriel, and Santa Clarita Valleys, the Metrolink Board of Directors approved Director Michael D. Antonovich’s recommendation to use MTA surplus funds to cover budget shortfalls. (more…)