Transportation issues have been in the news from New York to Los Angeles. Here's a sampling of what's going on:

NEW BUS SERVICE

More than 30,000 passengers lined up Saturday for a chance to ride the new bus service across San Fernando Valley near Los Angeles.

Officials hope the long-awaited $350 million bus line between North Hollywood and Woodland Hills will encourage residents to use mass transit and free up clogged freeways.

Saturday's free trial service was so popular that officials had to add 13 buses to the planned service to accommodate everyone.

VOTE ON PROJECTS

In New York state, the debate is heating up over a ballot measure that asks whether the state should sell $2.9 billion in bonds to pay for transportation projects. About half of the money will go for new buses and trains in New York City. Failure to pass the measure would jeopardize $5.1 billion in federal matching funds and delay several expansion projects.

Early polls showed voters support the measure, but recent polls suggest the margin has tightened considerably of late.

$3.9 BILLION MONORAIL

In Seattle, voters will be asked Nov. 8 whether they'll support building a 10-mile, $3.9 billion monorail for commuters.

It's the fifth time voters will go to the polls on the issue and even supporters doubt that it will pass this time. The once-popular project lost support in recent years after costs for the project mushroomed.

Like Honolulu, Seattle is one of the few large U.S. cities that relies almost entirely on buses for public transit.

TOLL ROAD FOR SALE

In Virginia, four companies are bidding to buy and operate a toll road leading to Dulles International Airport.

The Virginia Department of Transportation is seeking bids to turn the toll road operations over to a private operator. Some of the companies are offering more than $1 billion over 50 years for rights to operate and maintain the highway.

POPE'S CAR SOLD

In Las Vegas, a 62-year-old Houston multimillionaire paid $690,000 over the weekend to buy a light blue 1975 Ford Escort GL once owned by Pope John Paul II.

Buyer John O'Quinn said he wants to build a museum to show off the car, which was sold in its original papal condition: no hubcaps, no air-conditioning, no radio, and with several nicks and dents.

It does come with several papal possessions: carved wooden rosary beads, a box of wooden matches, a candy tin and a dashboard medallion bearing the likeness of St. Maria Goretti, patron of youth, young women, purity and rape victims.

Reach Mike Leidemann at mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com.