DART Rail Introduces Service on Orange Line

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) opened the first 4.5 miles of Orange Line light rail in Irving on July 30. The first section of the 14-mile, $1.3 billion line includes stops at the University of Dallas, Las Colinas Urban Center, and Irving Convention Center. [More]

Miami-Dade Opens Direct Service to Airport

Miami-Dade Transit (MDT) began providing direct service to Miami International Airport (MIA) July 28 with the opening of a Metrorail station at the airport. The Miami International Airport Station is the 23rd in the Metrorail system and the terminus of a new, 2.4-mile line extension. [More]

Voters Overwhelmingly Support Michigan Public Transit Measures

Even in these difficult times, Michigan voters in 27 municipalities all said “yes” to public transportation-related ballot initiatives on Aug. 7, voting overwhelmingly for public transit millages. [More]

LaHood Announces $29 Million for Local Transportation to Support Veterans

DOT Secretary Ray LaHood just announced $29 million in FTA grants to provide improved access to local transportation for veterans and their families, wounded warriors, and other military personnel, helping them find affordable rides to work, school, shopping, medical care, and additional destinations in their communities. The grants will support 64 projects in 33 states and the Northern Mariana Islands. [More]

EPA, HUD, DOT to Partner with States on Transportation Issues

DOT, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Aug. 6 that they will partner with the Governors’ Institute on Community Design to provide enhanced technical guidance to governors seeking to tackle housing, transportation, environmental, and health challenges facing their states. [More]

HART Breaks Ground for MetroRapid BRT

The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) in Tampa, FL, broke ground Aug. 6 on MetroRapid North-South, the region’s first Bus Rapid Transit system. When it opens in 2013, MetroRapid will run 17.5 miles along Nebraska and Fletcher avenues from the HART Marion Transit Center in downtown Tampa to Telecom Park/Hidden River Corporate Park west of I-75. [More]

Enty Named Executive Director in Akron

Richard M. Enty, who joined METRO Regional Transit Authority in Akron, OH, in 2011 as director of planning, has been promoted to executive director of the agency. The previous executive director, Robert K. Pfaff, died July 2. [More]

Danker Is Executive Director in Williamsburg, VA

The Williamsburg Area Transit Authority (WATA) in Williamsburg, VA, has promoted Kevan Danker to the position of executive director. [More]

National Express Acquires Forsythe Contracts, Management

National Express Transit Services Corporation, based in Cincinnati, OH, has acquired Forsythe Transportation’s public transit operations contracts. National Express also now employs four of Forsythe’s key management and executive team members: William Forsythe, Mark Foster, Tom Greufe, and Gregg Harrington. [More]

Linda Somilleda Dies; Longtime Foothill Transit Employee

Linda Somilleda, 52, director of operations and customer service for Foothill Transit, West Covina, CA, died July 24. [More]

Machesney Dies; 43 Years with Vapor Bus-Wabtec

James A. Machesney, 83, of Naples, FL, a longtime public transportation professional and member of the APTA Hall of Fame, died July 31. [More]

MEET THE APTA STAFF

Meet LaTara Jackson!

This is the latest in an ongoing series of stories showcasing members of the APTA staff. The subject of this profile is LaTara Jackson, classified advertising and circulation coordinator, Communications & Marketing Department. [More]

APTA MEMBER PROFILE

Meet Thomas C. Noll!

This is the latest in an ongoing series of columns showcasing APTA members. The subject of this profile is Thomas C. Noll, director of technical support and capital programs, Port Authority of Allegheny County, Pittsburgh. PA, a member of the Leadership APTA Class of 2011. [More]

APTA NEWS

APTA Recognizes SEPTA for Sustainability Accomplishments

Philadelphia’s Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority recently became the fourth public transportation agency honored by APTA for achieving the Gold Recognition Level of the APTA Sustainability Commitment program. The other agencies at this level are TransLink, Vancouver, BC; Intercity Transit, Olympia, WA; and Sound Transit, Seattle, WA. [More]

Arcadis US Signs On to Commitment; Most Recent APTA Signatory

Arcadis US Inc.—a design, engineering, and management firm based in Highlands Ranch, CO—is the latest APTA member organization to sign on to the APTA Sustainability Commitment, demonstrating its support for sustainability efforts. [More]

Multimodal Workshop Meets

Public transportation planners and schedulers gathered in Baltimore for the recent APTA Multimodal Operations Planning Workshop, hosted by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore and Montgomery County Transit-Ride On in Rockville, MD. [More]

COMMENTARY

See What's Happening in Public Transportation

Editor's Note: Technology, location, changed attitudes--there's a lot happening in public transportation these days. Here are just a few snapshots. [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]