What Does the 2012 Election Mean at the Federal Level?
BY CHRISTIAN RICHARDS, APTA Legislative Analyst

While a handful of races in the House of Representatives remain contested, the 2012 Presidential and Congressional elections are largely over and the public transportation industry can begin to look forward to a new legislative session. [More]

Conference Speakers Promote a ‘New Era’ for Light Rail
BY JENNIFER DOBNER, Special to Passenger Transport

How are light rail and streetcars changing and enhancing the way people live and work in North American cities? How do these systems get financed and built—and what happens in communities who reject forward-thinking transit proposals in favor of the same old models? [More]

‘Jeffery Jump’ Service First Step Toward BRT in Chicago

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) introduced service on its first line with elements of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), the Jeffery Jump, on Nov. 12. The line, funded with an $11 million FTA grant, replaces the former Jeffery Express route, while the Jeffery Local will continue to serve local stops. [More]

COMMENTARY

It’s Hard to Believe It Has Been a Year!
BY MICHAEL P. MELANIPHY, APTA President & CEO

It is hard to believe that on Nov. 1, 2012, I celebrated my one-year anniversary as President & CEO of APTA. While it was a time for celebration and reflection, it was also the week when Hurricane Sandy crippled much of the Eastern Seaboard, severely challenging many public transportation systems. [More]

MORE NEWS

Public Transit Agencies Recognize Veterans

 In recognition of the sacrifices and service given to the U.S. by its military veterans, many public transportation systems observed the Veterans Day holiday this year by paying tribute to these heroes in a variety of ways. [More]

Public Transit Measure Wins Represent 80 Percent Success Rate for Year to Date
BY BARRINGTON M. SALMON, Special to Passenger Transport

Even as the presidential candidates were duking it out on the national stage, a number of public transit systems around the country were busy scoring wins of their own.

On Nov. 6, voters around the U.S. approved 14 of 20 transit ballot questions. For the year, voters passed 47 of 59 public transit ballot measures, a success rate of 80 percent. [More]

Des Moines Dedicates Station

 The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) recently cut the ribbon on the new $21 million DART Central Station, ushering in the “next generation of public transit in Greater Des Moines”—in the words of Steve Van Oort, mayor of Ankeny and chair of the DART Commission. [More]

Metro-North Completes Restoration of Tarrytown Train Station

MTA Metro-North Railroad has announced completion of the reconstruction of Tarrytown Station, the second busiest station on the Hudson Line—under budget, on schedule after three years of work, and with no impact on train performance. The station serves about 6,000 people a day traveling from Westchester and Rockland counties in New York State. [More]

AROUND THE INDUSTRY

LaHood Welcomes ‘JAZZ’ BRT to Monterey-Salinas Transit

Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) in Monterey, CA, welcomed DOT Secretary Ray LaHood Nov. 12 to grand opening ceremonies for the first completed high-tech bus shelter on the new JAZZ Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line. [More]

Go Green in St. Louis: Paint a Bus

As part of its Metro Arts in Transit Program, Metro in St. Louis invited participants in the recent Green Homes and Great Health Festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden to paint a MetroBus with eco-murals designed by local artist Eric Stevens [More]

MEET THE APTA STAFF

Meet Dan Deng!

This is the latest in an ongoing series of columns showcasing members of the APTA staff. The subject of this profile is Dan Deng, senior accountant, Finance Department. [More]

APTA MEMBER PROFILE

Meet Joe Alexander!

This is the latest in an ongoing series of columns showcasing APTA members. The subject of this profile is Joe Alexander, president, The Alexander Group, Alexandria, VA, and consultant to Los Alamos Technical Associates, Inc. [More]

APTA NEWS

Safety & Security Excellence Awards Expand to Include Rail Transportation

APTA will recognize the outstanding work of the men and women in the rail industry with the creation of its new Rail Safety & Security Excellence Awards. The APTA Executive Committee approved the awards program at its meeting during the APTA Annual Meeting in Seattle. [More]

Transit CEOs to Meet in Palm Springs

APTA has scheduled the 2013 Transit CEOs Seminar for Feb. 9-12 at the Renaissance Palm Springs in Palm Springs, CA, hosted by the SunLine Transit Agency. [More]

APTA Seeks Applicants for Call Center Challenge

APTA reminds public transit system call center personnel to register by Dec. 20 for the sixth annual Call Center Challenge, a national competition to determine the best in the industry. The competition defines these individuals as employees who handle incoming calls relating to trip planning and/or customer service issues. [More]

APTF Invites Participation in Scholar Task Force

The American Public Transit Foundation (APTF) invites young public transportation professionals to help with the efforts of its Scholar Task Force, established in 2010 to spread the message of public transit as an interesting and important career choice. [More]

UITP Board Meets in London

APTA President & CEO Michael Melaniphy and Chief of Staff Petra Mollet were guests at a recent meeting of the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) Policy Board in London. [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]