10 Years After 9/11, Security Is Still Agencies’ Top Priority
BY SUSAN R. PAISNER, Senior Managing Editor

September 11: a comparatively new date that will also live in infamy. Before the 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City, the Pentagon, and western Pennsylvania, the public transportation industry already had a broad range of security programs and activities in place. But the 9/11 attacks—and subsequent ones on public transit systems around the world—led to an enormous partnership effort by the industry, APTA, and the federal government to put additional tools and resources into place that would strengthen the security of the public transit services provided. [More]

 

‘The Tide’ Comes In Strong in Norfolk, VA

Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) in Hampton, VA, reported that opening-day ridership on The Tide light rail system in Norfolk shattered expectations: more than 30,000 customers boarded the trains on Aug. 19. Crowds began gathering at Tide stations before service began at 6 a.m. and long lines remained throughout the day. [More]

Senate’s ‘Moment of Remembrance’

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the U.S. Senate has approved a nationwide Moment of Remembrance on Sept. 11. The moment will occur at the same time across the U.S.: 1 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, noon Central Daylight Time, 11 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time, and 10 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time. [More]

Brookings: 700,000 U.S. Households Lack Transit and Auto Options

The Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program has released a study showing that nearly 700,000 households in the 100 largest U.S. metropolitan areas do not have access to either public transportation or a private vehicle.

In contrast, more than 90 percent of the 7.5 million zero-vehicle households in these regions live in neighborhoods with access to public transit service—although on average they can reach only 40 percent of jobs within 90 minutes when using transit. [More]

DHS Announces $200 Million in Transit Security Grants

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced more than $200 million in Fiscal Year 2011 federal transit security grants as part of more than $2.1 billion for 12 preparedness grant programs. [More]

MTI Releases Template for State Continuity Plans

 The Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) has released a technical report intended to serve as a template for individual states to use in the development of their Continuity of Operations and Continuity of Government (COOP/COG) plans. This type of planning ensures that state DOTs can continue their essential functions through a wide range of emergencies and disasters. [More]

SMART Hires Mansourian

The Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) Board of Directors in San Rafael, CA, has named Farhad Mansourian as its general manager permanently. Mansourian had been serving in the post on an interim basis. [More]

Phillips Heads Citrus Connection

Tom Phillips has joined the Lakeland Area Mass Transit District (Citrus Connection), Lakeland, FL, as its new executive director, effective Aug. 29. He is the third executive director in the almost 30-year history of the agency. [More]

Davis Is Interim GM at MBTA

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) in Boston has named Jonathan Davis, the agency’s deputy general manager and chief financial officer, as acting MBTA general manager and MassDOT rail and transit administrator as of Sept. 2. On that day, current General Manager Richard Davey becomes secretary and chief executive officer of MassDOT. [More]

FRA Proposes Changes to PTC Regulations

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has released proposed changes to the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) regulations governing the installation of positive train control (PTC) systems. The amendments will provide greater flexibility to railroads and FRA in assessing the need for PTC without adversely affecting the safety of America’s rail lines. [More]

Batchelder Dies; Former APTA Counsel

Robert W. Batchelder, 66, of Chula Vista, CA, a 15-year employee of APTA who retired in 1996 as chief counsel and deputy executive vice president-government affairs, died Aug. 12 in San Diego. [More]

Riverside, CA, Receives Federal Energy Grant

The Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) in Riverside, CA, will benefit from a $1.2 million federal Department of Energy grant to the University of California, Riverside (UCR), to retrofit paratransit vehicles with technology to reduce fuel consumption and enhance service delivery. [More]

APTA NEWS

APTA Among Sponsors of Mobility Management Partnerships Conference

The Partnership for Mobility Management, which includes APTA, recently held its first official Mobility Management Conference in conjunction with the Community Transportation Association of America’s EXPO in Indianapolis, IN. More than 300 people attended. [More]

EXPO Rally Towel Contest Winner: Around the World and Back Home

It’s traveled around the world, but the EXPO Rally Towel that took the top place in APTA’s Facebook-based contest never left its own hometown. [More]

COMMENTARY

Fighting Traffic Deaths: Incomplete Without Smart Growth
BY NEAL PEIRCE

Each year, Americans travel about three trillion miles in their autos and trucks. Four million miles of roadways have been built for our vehicles.

We drive practically everywhere—to work, to school, to health care, recreation, much more. Cars and truck fleets are a huge part of the American economy.

So what’s not to like about all this motorized world? [More]

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

Passenger Transport announces the following hirings and promotions in public transportation agencies and business members. Items appear in People on the Move in the order in which they are received. [More]