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Greyhound Lines Inc. says it has spent $60 million over the past three years to freshen up its fleet of 1,250 buses and its largest terminals. Next, the company plans an advertising campaign designed to bring back former customers and attract new riders between 18 and 24, and Hispanics. Greyhound officials say the makeover is part of an upgrade that began in 2004, when the company eliminated many small-town stops and routes to speed up service between larger cities. Patty Herbeck, Greyhound’s director of marketing, said the company has refurbished more than 900 buses with new seats and paint jobs and spruced up 125 of its roughly 940 terminals by repainting, renovating restrooms and adding plasma-screen televisions in waiting areas. Dallas-based Greyhound traces its roots to 1914, when a Swedish immigrant named Carl Eric Wickman charged Minnesota miners 15 cents to ride between Hibbing and Alice.
Heineman signs smoking ban
To the regular smokers who make their way into The Depot at 6:30 a.m. most days, the new ban may be a sign they are no longer shielded from the public health initiatives popular with city types."They’re just saying how bad it’s going to suck that it finally hit the small towns," Lee said. .
Labour leads all-party attack on SNP budget
Labour insiders believe the SNP's commitment to freezing council tax is one area from which money could be freed. Brankin told Scotland on Sunday: "We're throwing down the gauntlet to the SNP. We have been talking to the other parties about this and we believe there is widespread dismay about the level of funding for universities. Last week, John Swinney went to Glasgow University to launch his economic strategy in the full knowledge that he was then going to cut the university funding which is so vital to our economic future." A Scottish Lib Dems spokesman said: "Universities are vital to our economy and we are deeply disturbed at the inadequate settlement. There's a lot in this motion that we are sympathetic to, and we would want to amend the funding for universities in any case. There is scope for working together." Murdo Fraser, the Tory education spokesman and deputy leader, said: "We are certainly prepared to talk to Labour about a move to amend the Budget on this issue, but we're still studying the budget and we can't make any firm commitment at this stage." If either the Lib Dems or Tories back out and abstain, it may be theoretically possible for Labour to form a majority with the help of the Scottish Green Party.
Local prep athletes share Christmas memories
The first thing I did was call Danica, and that was all we could talk about until the concert came. My No. 1 priority was to get a band T-shirt. That was my favorite shirt for the longest time. My favorite band member was Justin Timberlake and Danica's was Lance Bass. We would always argue about who was better. Danica and I even made a up a dance to one of their songs -- "Tearin' Up My Heart."I went to the concert with Danica, her mom and my mom. I remember telling my mom I wasn't going to scream or anything.I ended up screaming through the whole concert and singing every song. If *NSYNC ever got back together I would definitely go to see them in concert again.-- Hanover Central sophomore softball player Jessica Toth, as told to Steve HanlonI saw Gramma TP'ing herself underneath the mistletoe last nightMy favorite Christmas experience is from a few years back.
Minister lifts bicycle ban on peak-hour trains
PUBLIC Transport Minister Lynne Kosky will today bow to anger from cyclists and reverse a controversial plan to ban bikes on trains during rush hours. Bicycles will once again be allowed on all Connex and V/Line trains at all times - but only in the final carriage of Connex services, and only in set storage areas on V/Line trains. The backpedal comes just six weeks after the rush-hour ban was revealed. The ban was not formally announced; instead, it was found in the fine print of the Government's annual Fares and Ticketing Manual. Ms Kosky, who was on holiday when the ban was revealed, distanced herself from the decision to ban bikes, and immediately ordered a review of the decision upon returning to work last month. The move to ban bikes on Connex and V/Line services sparked heated debate, with many questioning the Government's commitment to more Victorians using sustainable forms of transport.
Two perish in plane crash in Moshi
At least two people died and four others were seriously injured when a small plane, a Cessna with registration number 172 5H-FUN, crashed in Moshi, Kilimanjaro Region, yesterday.
Kilimanjaro Regional Police Commander Lucas Ng`hoboko told PST yesterday that the plane crashed at around 2.40 p.m at the industrial area in Moshi municipality after its engine failed, causing it to lose direction.
``The pilot found out that the plane had some technical faults and decided to fly it to the Kilimanjaro International Airport. However, it crashed before it could land at the airport,`` said the RPC.
According to eyewitnesses, the pilot, Baraka Rutwaza (36), died on the spot.
Those injured and whose condition are said to be critical were identified as Hyden Rowan (26) from New Zealand, Isack Johanes (28) from South Africa and a sky guide master of the plane, Sylan Borton.
Big Idea: Vermont inventor uses brain to save knees
Vehicles stream past the white clapboard building on the Mountain Road en route to Stowe Ski Resort. Inside, in a room dominated by a sophisticated contraption that nevertheless looks like a giant erector set, Rick Howell refines his design for a ski binding he predicts will reduce today's most common ski injury -- strained and ruptured knee ligaments.
He's working around the clock these days to produce sales samples, connect with potential buyers and lock in orders for production during the summer. By next winter the 54-year-old inventor expects skiers will be able to swoop or bump their way down slopes with a ski binding by KneeBinding Inc. that will release before they "blow out a knee."
Ski bindings release now, of course. Heels pop up and out of their clamps under certain conditions, and toe pieces allow boots to slide out sideways to prevent injuries.
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