Home Values Perform Better Near Public Transit During Recession

The average value of housing performed nearly 42 percent ­better when located near high-frequency public transit during the worst slump in the real estate market in recent years, according to a new study commissioned by APTA in partnership with the National Association of Realtors (NAR). [More]

 

FTA Awards $1.4 Billion More for Hurricane Sandy Relief

On March 29, FTA announced an additional $1.4 billion in storm-related reimbursements through the Fiscal Year 2013 Disaster Relief Appropriations Act. [More]

In New York, Building a Sea Wall

As MTA New York City Transit (NYC Transit) works to restore A Line subway service to Far Rockaway, where Hurricane Sandy caused extensive flooding and track damage, the agency is also pursuing a second line of defense: construction of a seawall. [More]

Take Me Out...on Public Transit

Phoenix is just one of the cities that provided convenient transportation to the ballpark April 1 for opening day of the 2013 baseball season. [More]

UTA Breaks Ground for TOD in Layton

The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) in Salt Lake City broke ground March 21 at the site of the Kays Crossing transit-oriented development (TOD) in Layton. The location of this private multi-family development is immediately adjacent to a future FrontRunner commuter rail station. [More]

Transportation Diversity Council Honors Castillo

APTA Chair Flora Castillo a member of the New Jersey Transit Corporation Board of Directors, was recently honored by the Transportation Diversity Council for her efforts to strengthen public transportation’s outreach to women and minorities and for her dedication to the industry. [More]

N.Y. MTA Introduces Small Business Program

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has awarded the first contract to a company participating in its new Federal Small Business Mentoring Program, created last year to foster small business participation in MTA contracting. [More]

Bragdon Is New Executive Director of Transit Center Inc.

Transit Center Inc. has named David Bragdon its new executive director. [More]

Burke Dies; Past CEO of Los Angeles Metro

Julian Burke, 85, chief executive officer of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (now Los Angeles Metro) from 1997 to 2001, died March 30. [More]

AROUND THE INDUSTRY

Bendix Welcomes Sen. Brown

Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC welcomed Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) to its headquarters in Elyria, OH, on March 29. Brown is a member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, which oversees public transit issues. [More]

L.A. Metro Safety Event Focuses on Suicides, Distracted Behavior

Officials of Los Angeles Metro joined suicide prevention experts, law enforcement, and passenger safety ambassadors March 15 at the Metro Blue Line Vernon Station to host a special event focusing on suicides and accidents on the light rail line. Many of these incidents involve pedestrians who ignore or go around gates and other safety warning devices, with tragic consequences.
 [More]

APTA MEMBER PROFILE

Meet Art Leahy!

This is the latest in an ongoing series of columns showcasing APTA members. The subject of this profile is Art Leahy, chief executive officer, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority; APTA Board of Directors; member, Authorization Task Force; and chair, Bus Standards Policy and Planning Committee. [More]

MEET THE APTA STAFF

Meet Jeremy Rueter!

This is the latest in an ongoing series of columns showcasing members of the APTA staff. The subject of this profile is Jeremy Rueter, web manager, Corporate Affairs Department. [More]

APTA NEWS

Youth Summit, Career Day: Telling Young People About Public Transit

APTA is reaching out to students with two programs designed specifically to introduce them to the importance of public transportation to a community: the 2013 APTA Youth Summit to Advance Public Trans­portation and National Public ­Transportation Career Day. [More]

Register Now for ASME 2013 Joint Rail Conference

APTA is among the sponsors of JRC2013, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ Joint Rail Conference, April 15-18 in Knoxville, TN. [More]

Calling All Students: Apply by May 31 for 2013 APTF Scholarships

Do you know a promising college junior, senior, or graduate student who’s interested in public transportation? If so, it’s time to encourage these up-and-comers to apply by May 31 for a 2013 American Public Transportation Foundation (APTF) scholarship. [More]

New, Revised Standards Published

The APTA Standards Program announces the publication of four new and six revised standards during the first quarter of 2013. [More]

COMMENTARY

Bikes and Public Transit: A Complementary Relationship
BY STEPHANIE JORDAN, Managing Editor, Transit California

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) officials say that in the last nine years, the number of passengers taking bicycles on board its trains has risen almost 65 percent—despite the fact that bikes are banned during peak commute times. As more customers figure out how to integrate bike and public transit travel, agencies are looking for ways to accommodate the trend. Promoting the combination of bicycling and transit is a great way for riders to make last-mile connections to work, school, and entertainment ­destinations. [More]

CLARIFICATION

Clarification

Due to an editing miscalculation, Passenger Transport Express reported the age of the London Underground as 100 years. The storied public transit system recently celebrated its 150th anniversary. [More]