Moving Ahead on Transportation Policy
BY CHRISTIAN RICHARDS, APTA Legislative Analyst

This past year saw a number of advances in federal transportation policy, most notably the passage in July of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) Act, authorizing federal surface transportation programs through Fiscal Year (FY) 2014, and the extension of the transit commuter tax benefit and the alternative fuels tax credit in the recent Fiscal Cliff legislation.  The coming year,  those issues and more will be in play once again as Congress works to address myriad issues affecting transportation policy and the country at large. [More]

 

LaHood Presents FFGA in Sacramento

DOT Secretary Ray LaHood visited Sacramento, CA, Jan. 7 to present the Sacramento Regional Transit District (RT) with a federal Full Funding Grant Agreement to extend RT’s light rail system. The 4.3-mile Blue Line extension will connect downtown Sacramento with the growing South County corridor, which includes Cosumnes River College. [More]

Leaders Share Their Visions

Passenger Transport invited APTA members to comment on their specific projects, top priorities, and public transportation-related New Year’s resolutions for 2013. Here are some of their responses. [More]

$1.55 Billion FFGA for Honolulu Rail

FTA recently presented the Honolulu Authority for Regional Transportation with a $1.55 billion Full Funding Grant Agreement for rail transit in Honolulu. [More]

Dialogue Between Public Transit and Health Care

Representatives of the American Public Health Association (APHA) and APTA recently met to enhance the dialogue between the two organizations regarding the critical role of public transportation in providing access to health care services. [More]

Cangany Joins South Bend as General Manager

David Cangany joined the South Bend Public Transportation Corporation (TRANSPO) in South Bend, IN, as its new general manager on Jan. 7. [More]

New Woojin IS America CEO

Allen Wright has joined Woojin IS America Inc., the U.S.-based subsidiary of Woojin Industrial Systems Co. Ltd., of Korea, as its president and chief executive officer. [More]

Thales Taps Lévy as Chairman and CEO

Thales has named Jean-Bernard Lévy its chairman and chief executive officer following the resignation of Luc Vigneron. Lévy was previously a member of the company’s board of directors. [More]

Report: MARTA Generates Statewide Economic Activity

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is responsible for about $2.6 billion in economic activity annually and supports approximately 24,000 jobs—not only in the metro Atlanta region it serves, but statewide. [More]

Anderson Dies; Former Denver RTD Director

Philip Anderson, 64, a member of the Regional Transportation District (RTD) Board of Directors from 1993-97, died Dec. 20. [More]

Major Capital Projects Entering Operation in 2013

Public transportation agencies throughout North America are moving forward on major projects in a variety of modes: commuter rail, light rail, heavy rail, modern streetcar, and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). Here’s a preliminary list of new and expanded services scheduled to open in 2013. [More]

APTA MEMBER PROFILE

Meet Hillary Foose!

This is the latest in an ongoing series of columns showcasing APTA members. The subject of this profile is Hillary Foose, director, communication and marketing, Valley Metro, Phoenix, AZ, a member of the Leadership APTA Class of 2013. [More]

MEET THE APTA STAFF

Meet Heather Rachels!

This is the latest in an ongoing series of columns showcasing members of the APTA staff. The subject of this profile is Heather Rachels, program manager-meetings and conventions, Meetings Department. [More]

APTA NEWS

Transit CEOs, Deputies to Join Professional Seminar Feb. 9-12

Executives of public transportation agencies will gather Feb. 9-12 in Palm Springs, CA, for APTA’s Transit CEOs Seminar, hosted by SunLine Transit Agency. [More]

‘Virtual Trade Mission’ Is Jan. 28

 Public transportation professionals should plan to participate in a free webinar, “Virtual Trade Mission to China,” Jan. 28, 7-8:30 p.m. Eastern time. APTA is co-organizing this event in partnership with DOT, the Department of Commerce, and the Trade and Development Agency. [More]

COMMENTARY

A Carolina governor who breaks all molds
BY NEAL PEIRCE

“Leadership needs to be state and local—Republican and Democrat—governors and mayors taking bold steps, regardless of political affiliation, trying to solve problems.”

How refreshing to hear those words in today’s hyperpartisan world! And how difficult to make the vision work. [More]