LA considers Bakersfield as the armpit of California

Grant Cross with one thousand words in a instant cartoon

Terrorist Attack Refocuses Transportation Debate

Los Angeles International Airport was a mess six months ago, and it is a mess now. But it is a mess of an entirely different kind.

Seven Principles for Rebuilding of Lower Manhattan

These words "In Principle" describe what we should consider doing in Downtown Bakersfield!

Communities Where Driving Isn't a Must

Readers share their experiences living in car-free communities. Jan 18 -- Washington Post

Supertram test to ease traffic

"Successful cities innovate, and position themselves at the forefront of developments in technology and knowledge.

"That is why we are actively exploring how our transport system might take advantage of some of the brightest ideas that the world's transport community has to offer."

Should Bakersfield expand the dimensions of Central Park?

If the humble City of Tecate can create Hidalgo Square we can do better for a weekend escape. Or can we?

The Farm Bill Charade

Our agriculture policy heads for disaster -- again.

M'bishi Heavy, Kinki Sharyo Team In Linear Motor Cars

Thursday, October 4, 2001 TOKYO (Nikkei)--Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (7011) plans to cooperate with Kinki Sharyo Co. (7122) in the manufacture of superconducting magnetically levitating linear motor cars.

The two firms will assemble for Central Japan Railway Co. (9022) an engine vehicle to be introduced on the Yamanashi test track for linear motor cars next summer. Assembly will take place at Mitsubishi Heavy's Mihara Machinery & Transportation Systems Works in Hiroshima Prefecture. Mitsubishi Heavy will make use of Kinki Sharyo's know-how in rolling stock production to ensure efficiency in assembly techniques.

Mitsubishi Heavy and Kinki Sharyo formed a partnership in October 2000 with the goal of jointly handling orders for rail systems abroad, but orders from overseas have been slow in coming. Their cooperation on the linear motor car will be their first joint project.

Mitsubishi Heavy has built two linear motor engine vehicles in the past, designing and manufacturing the cars at its Nagoya Aerospace Systems Works in Nagoya.

The heavy machinery maker hopes the new order will lead to growth in its transportation system operations, which it aims to cultivate as a core business. Mitsubishi Heavy will aim for sales of 90 billion yen from its transportation system operations in fiscal 2003.

The Nikkei Business Daily Thursday edition