LaHood Welcomes UIC to U.S. at Opening Session
BY KATHY GOLDEN, Editor

History, partnerships, and promise for the future were among the common elements on which experts focused at the July 11 Opening Session of the UIC 8th World Congress on High-Speed Rail in Philadelphia. More than 2,700 high-speed rail professionals participated in the congress. [More]

 

California Approves High-Speed Rail

On July 6, the California State Senate passed a budget measure in favor of high-speed rail. That vote, in addition to similar action by the Assembly earlier in the week, authorizes the country’s most populous state to provide $2.7 billion in funds that DOT will match with $3.3 billion—a total of $6 billion that will go to funding the initial, 130-mile high-speed segment in the Central Valley region. [More]

L.A. Metro Completes Orange Line Extension

Los Angeles Metro marked the completion of the Metro Orange Line Extension—a four-mile addition to the popular dedicated busway between Canoga Park and Chatsworth—on June 29. The project, which was completed three and a half years ahead of schedule and $61 million under budget, entered service the following day. [More]

Mica Convenes Regional Philadelphia Session

Rep. John Mica (R-FL), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, convened a Congressional Roundtable in Philadelphia July 9. [More]

Mollet Named APTA Chief of Staff

APTA President & CEO Michael Melaniphy announced that Petra Mollet, vice president-strategy, is now the association’s chief of staff. [More]

HDR Acquires InfraConsult

HDR Engineering Inc., based in Omaha, NE, has acquired InfraConsult LLC, an infrastructure management and advisory firm with five offices in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Hawaii. Going forward, InfraConsult will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of HDR Engineering Inc. [More]

Ronis Dies; Longtime Cleveland GM, APTA Hall of Famer

Leonard Ronis, 90, of Beachwood, OH, a 60-year public transportation professional and member of the APTA Hall of Fame, died July 4. [More]

Pfaff Dies; Akron Executive Director for 17 Years

Robert (Bob) K. Pfaff, 61, executive director of METRO Regional Transit Authority in Akron, OH, for the past 17 years, died July 2. He had earlier announced his plans to retire at the end of this year. [More]

NJ Transit’s Woods Dies

Thomas J. (Tom) Woods, 55, chief of procurement for New Jersey Transit Corporation, died July 7 at his home in Tinton Falls, NJ. [More]

HIGH-SPEED RAIL 2012: IN WASHINGTON, DC, AND PHILADELPHIA

High-Speed Rail Leaders Bring Message to Washington
BY SUSAN R. PAISNER, Senior Managing Editor

After a quick train ride from Philadelphia on Amtrak’s Acela—and a meeting with “Abe Lincoln,” the Washington Nationals’ mascot—high-speed rail experts from around the world assembled July 10 at Union Station in Washington, DC. [More]

Exploring High-Speed Rail Worldwide—and at Home; Enthusiasm, Focus, Political Will All Cited as Critical Elements
BY SUSAN R. PAISNER, Senior Managing Editor

“I hope your enthusiasm will be contagious in our country … because we still have some political controversy here,” said Rep. David Price (D-NC), a member of the Congressional Bicameral High-Speed & Intercity Passenger Rail Caucus. He spoke candidly as part of the July 10 Congressional briefing of the Washington Day event, which included high-speed rail experts from around the world. [More]

High-Speed Rail: A Week in Photos

Between the UIC 8th World Congress on High-Speed Rail in Philadelphia and the day of activities for high-speed rail professionals in Washington, DC, the week of July 9 was a busy one. Here are some photos from the various events. [More]

APTA MEMBER PROFILE

Meet Terry Garcia Crews!

This is the latest in an ongoing series of columns showcasing APTA members. The subject of this profile is Terry Garcia Crews, chief executive officer & general manager, Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority/Metro, Cincinnati, OH. [More]

MEET THE APTA STAFF

Meet José Reyes!

This is the latest in an ongoing series of stories showcasing members of the APTA staff. The subject of this profile is José Reyes, administrative assistant, Program Management and Educational Services Department. [More]

AROUND THE INDUSTRY

Rail Industry Launches Effort to Hire Veterans

In collaboration with various sectors of the rail industry, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) announced July 10 that the nation’s major commuter, intercity passenger, and freight railroads and rail supply companies expect to hire more than 5,000 veterans in 2012. The rail industry’s commitment is part of the White House Joining Forces initiative, a nationwide effort to recognize, honor, and support U.S. veterans and military families. [More]

MBTA Railcar Commemorates Fallen Service Members

The Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company, which operates the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) commuter rail system in Boston, has introduced into service a “rolling memorial”: a train “wrapped” in an American flag and adorned with gold stars, each bearing the name of a Massachusetts service member who gave his or her life in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. [More]

TransLink Signs ‘Charter of Vancouver’ on Children and Cycling

As part of Velo-city Global 2012, an international cycling planning conference held June 26-29 in Vancouver, BC, TransLink—a co-sponsor of the event—signed the Charter of Vancouver on Children and Cycling: a global agreement to enhance the cycling cuture and experience for children. [More]

Capital Metro to Test Hydrogen Bus in University Shuttle Service

The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Capital Metro) in Austin, TX, has begun testing a prototype electric drive bus from Proterra, powered with hydrogen fuel cell technology, as part of its shuttle fleet serving the University of Texas. [More]

ITS-New York Honors MTA, CDTA

The Intelligent Transportation Society of New York (ITS-NY) recently honored public transportation agencies in New York City and Albany with Outstanding Project of the Year Awards. [More]

DART Partners in Street Improvements

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) recently joined the city of Dallas and the Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind to improve a section of Capitol Avenue east of downtown Dallas. [More]

Facility Opens in Greensboro, NC

The Greensboro Transit Authority (GTA) in Greensboro, NC, dedicated its new operations/maintenance facility and administrative offices last month. [More]

Recognizing the MTI Graduates

Members of the Mineta Transportation Institute board recently attended the institute's recent Awards Banquet and Graduate Convocation at San Jose State University, which included a hooding ceremony for graduates of the master’s degree program in transportation management. [More]

APTA NEWS

BMBG Seeks Business Member Nominations

The APTA Business Member Board of Governors Nominations Committee is accepting nominations through Aug. 10 from individuals interested in representing APTA’s private sector members in leadership positions. [More]

Plan to Attend Multimodal Operations Planning Workshop

Public transportation planners and schedulers will benefit by participating in the 2012 APTA Multimodal Operations Planning Workshop, July 30-Aug. 1 at the Marriott Waterfront in Baltimore, MD. [More]

State Public Transportation Partnerships Conference Is Aug. 14-16

APTA is joining the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and the Community Transportation Association of America to present the 2012 State Public Transportation Partnerships Conference Aug. 14-16 at the Sax Chicago Hotel in Chicago. The Illinois Public Transportation Association and Illinois DOT are hosting the event. [More]

COMMENTARY

Opinions on the Passage of MAP-21

Editor's Note: Congress passes a 2-year transportation bill! Read just a few of the many responses to this long-awaited law. [More]

CASE STUDY

MARTA Helps Volunteers Register More Than 1,000 Georgians to Vote
BY SUSAN BERLIN, Senior Editor

Elections—at the federal, state, and local levels—are the major topic of discussion this summer and fall. The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is helping the voter registration effort by offering space in its stations for nonpartisan volunteers to add new voters to the rolls. [More]

APTA MEMBER BENEFIT SPOTLIGHT

Standards Reports: A Major Benefit to APTA Members

To help the APTA Standards Program monitor the benefits to APTA members of its almost 300 standards, recommended practices, guidelines, and white papers, the program recently surveyed users of its materials to comment on how they have used the information they have found through the program. [More]

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

Who's Doing What in the Industry

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]