On May 7, the Obama Administration released its detailed budget recommendations for Fiscal Year 2010 for all federal programs, including federal surface transportation programs. [More]

Following a White House meeting with President Barack Obama and Democratic members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) said May 5 that he may fast-track his climate change bill by bypassing a subcommittee markup. House Democrats leading the bill expect to hold a full committee markup by Memorial Day, and foresee passage of final legislation—including cap-and-trade provisions—by year’s end. [More]

Federal Transit Administration representatives—during their May 6 session at the APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference in Seattle—emphasized the importance of U.S. public transit agencies completing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant process, stressing that waiting until July 1 may put agencies at risk of losing a portion of their ARRA formula funds. [More]

Passenger Transport continues to report on how public transportation systems—working with business members—are spending funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). These stories examine the variety of ARRA-funded projects that will both help stimulate the economy through job creation and enhance public transportation in communities across the country. [More]

The article originally appeared in the April 19, 2009, issue of the San Diego Union-Tribune, and was reprinted with permission. It can be found at the newspaper's web site. [More]

Karen Rae, the new deputy administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, spoke passionately about the future of rail—particularly high speed rail—at the latest presentation of “Transportation Tuesdays,” a series of after-work transportation discussions held the first Tuesday of the month at the APTA offices. [More]

The UN Foundation and the Center for American Progress presented a discussion on Information Technology and Public Transit on Earth Day, April 22, in Washington, DC. [More]

The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) showcases 11 innovative public transit projects throughout the U.S. in its new report, Reinventing Transit: American Communities Finding Smarter, Cleaner, Faster Transportation Solutions, which it released April 23 on Capitol Hill. Federal Transit Administration Executive Director Matthew Welbes joined speakers including Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Aaron Klein, representing Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-CT), at the launch. [More]

The Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) is currently seeking individuals to serve as ambassadors. The selected professionals will travel throughout the country to enhance the understanding, acceptance, and use of TCRP-sponsored research products. [More]

The Greater Peoria Mass Transit District (CityLink) in Peoria, IL, dedicated the lobby of its Transit Center in memory of late General Manager Jerome D. Lilly at ceremonies April 19. Lilly, a 19-year employee of CityLink, died unexpectedly in December 2007 at age 53, only six weeks after taking over the top job. [More]

“Every transit job is a green job,” APTA President William W. Millar told bus and paratransit professionals gathered May 3 at the Sheraton Seattle for the Opening General Session of the 2009 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference. “Each time someone uses public transit, America uses less foreign oil.” [More]

APTA members from across the United States shared ideas for the association’s next Strategic Plan in a May 3 brainstorming session at the 2009 Bus and Paratransit Conference. The session, deliberately informal in design to capture as much input as possible, was introduced by APTA First Vice Chair M.P. (Mattie) Carter of the Memphis Area Transit Authority, who is heading the Strategic Planning Steering Committee. [More]

Public transportation professionals facing the emergence of the H1N1 flu heard from representatives of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and transit agencies about how manage a potential pandemic at a special session during the APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference. [More]

In planning for emergencies, several practices are crucial: building key relationships before disaster happens, training regularly, and preparing communications strategies. Several presenters shared these lessons at the APTA 2008 Bus and Paratransit Conference. [More]

With sustainable practices not only urged by the public but also required for certain federal recovery funding, APTA transit system and business members shared their strategies in several sessions at the 2009 Bus & Paratransit Conference. [More]

Many Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects are eligible for federal grants under the Very Small Starts program, speakers emphasized during the Bus Rapid Transit Conference sponsored by APTA and the Transportation Research Board and held concurrently with the APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference. [More]

An APTA bus conference would not be complete without awards to some of our industry’s finest. From superior bus operating and maintenance skills to safety on the road to the challenge to provide superior customer service—APTA members excelled. Here is a round-up of the award winners. [More]

Terming APTA Chair Beverly A. Scott’s workforce development initiative “a marathon, not a short-term event,” Mary Ann Collier, a member of the Blue Ribbon Panel on Workforce Development, provided an overview of the panel’s plans for the short, medium, and long term at a May 4 session. [More]

The global economy may be in a slump, but APTA business members heard a far rosier opinion of possibilities in Australia, India, and Brazil at a May 5 session on international public transit business opportunities at the 2009 Bus and Paratransit Conference. Speakers described the need for more private investment in public transportation in their respective countries and offered advice on entering the market. [More]

Here are some more scenes from the 2009 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference in Seattle, as seen by photographer Heather Trimm.
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APTA’s 2009 Rail Conference will take place in Chicago June 14-17—offering an array of information and networkingopportunities as well as technical and city tours. This conference is a must for rail professionals who want to gain knowledge on cutting edge technology. It will also provide an invaluable opportunity to meet innovators in rail transit, to build contacts, and to network. [More]

APTA announces the publication of Public Transportation No. 2: Leading the Way, a profusely illustrated book from Visual Reference Publications Inc., which demonstrates how public transit is revitalizing business districts, connecting employers with the workforce, and increasing property values through development while helping the U.S. reduce its dependence on foreign oil. [More]