APTA Seeks Member Input on Critical Federal Regulations
BY JAMES LARUSCH, APTA Chief Counsel and Vice President, Corporate Affairs

With eight rule­makings underway, APTA staff and committees are working hard to represent the interests of the association’s members in these crucial regulatory actions. These efforts are incomplete without your input and support. [More]

NJ Transit Opens Pennsauken Station; Connects River Line, Atlantic City Line

New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJ Transit) celebrated the opening of its Pennsauken Transit Center in ceremonies Oct. 14. The station provides the first direct connection between River Line light rail and Atlantic City rail service, along with access to one NJ Transit bus line. The Atlantic City Rail Line connects ­Atlantic City with Philadelphia, while the River Line ­operates between Trenton and Camden. [More]

WMATA Opens Station Entrance in Arlington, VA

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) celebrated the opening of the new entrance to the Rosslyn Metrorail Station in Arlington, VA, in recent ceremonies. Arlington County was responsible for the renovation—its largest capital transit project to date—and WMATA owns, operates, and will maintain the new entrance. [More]

Commuter Rail CEOs, FRA Discuss Issues

FRA Administrator Joseph C. Szabo and Robert C. Lauby, FRA associate administrator for railroad safety/chief safety officer, spoke at the APTA Commuter Rail CEOs Subcommittee’s recent fall meeting. [More]

Johnson Is Interim President at The T in Fort Worth

The Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The T) has named Anthony (Tony) Johnson, executive vice president and chief operating officer, interim president and executive director during The T Board’s search for a candidate to succeed Dick Ruddell, who retired Oct. 4. [More]

Preparing for a Career Network

More than a dozen subject matter advisors from public- and private-sector APTA member organizations joined a team of technical experts Oct. 15 at the APTA offices to work on the Transit Virtual Career Network system being developed for the public transportation industry. [More]

APTA MEMBER PROFILE

Meet Randall Chrisman!

This is the latest in an ongoing series of columns showcasing APTA members. The subject of this profile is Randall Chrisman, board member, Dallas Area Rapid Transit; co-chair, APTA Authorization Task Force; and member, APTA Transit Board Members, Legislative, and Member Services committees. [More]

MEET THE APTA STAFF

Meet Jeff Popovich!

This is the latest in an ongoing series of columns showcasing members of the APTA staff. The subject of this profile is Jeff Popovich, chief information officer, Corporate Affairs Department. [More]

AROUND THE INDUSTRY

Virginia Regional Agencies Form Vanpool Alliance

Three regional transportation and business agencies in northern Virginia joined the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) Oct. 3 to launch the Vanpool Alliance, an effort designed to bring additional federal funding to a heavily populated part of the state. [More]

Bus Shelters Receive ‘Artsy’ Makeover in Cincinnati

Metro in Cincinnati recently partnered with ArtWorks, a local non-profit that employs and trains youth to create art that has a positive effect on the city, and the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County to transform 24 shelters in the Downtown and Over-the-Rhine neighborhoods into colorful public art featuring popular books. [More]

BJCTA Receives State Approval for Apprenticeship Program

The Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA), Birmingham, AL, has received approval from the Alabama Department of Labor for its diesel mechanic and body/painter apprenticeship programs. [More]

IndyGo Continues Support to Historic Haunted House in Indianapolis

IndyGo continues its ongoing support of the Children’s Museum Guild’s Haunted House in Indianapolis, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. It’s the guild’s largest fundraiser of the year. This year’s “Time Warp” exhibit, looking back through the years, is open through Oct. 31. [More]

Amtrak Sets Ridership Record

Amtrak carried a record 31.6 million passengers in Fiscal Year 2013, setting the tenth ridership record in 11 years. [More]

Agencies on Both Coasts Host Annual Drives for Area Food Banks

Public transportation agencies in Philadelphia and the San Diego area have launched off their annual food drives in anticipation of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other year-end celebrations. [More]

Report: Colorado Communities Reap Benefits from Public Transit

Large metropolitan areas are not the only areas to benefit from public transportation. A new report from the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project demonstrates the connection between local public transportation investment and financial benefits in various parts of Colorado. [More]

MTI’s Summit on HSR Connectivity Shows Game-Changing Effects
BY DONNA MAURILLO, Director of Technology Transfer, Mineta Transportation Institute, San Jose, CA

The Mineta Transportation Institute and its affiliated Mineta National Transit Research Consortium sponsored a half-day policy summit at the recent APTA Annual Meeting in Chicago to address the critical importance of transit connectivity for high-speed rail. [More]

Bombardier Transportation Receives International Light Rail Award

For the fourth consecutive year, Bombardier Transportation received an honor at the 2013 Light Rail Awards presented Oct. 2 in London. The company received its third Manufacturer of the Year Award in three years, after receiving Worldwide Supplier of the Year in 2010. Mainspring, publisher of Tramways & Urban Transit, presents the awards each year. [More]

COMMENTARY

Congress Must Increase Transit Funding and Help Get America to Work
BY JOSEPH COSTELLO, Executive Director, Northeastern Illinois Regional Transportation Authority

Without Congressional action, the federal tax benefit that helps transit riders defray the cost of commuting will drop from $245 to $125 per month at the end of this year. Meanwhile, as part of the deal struck in January to avert the fiscal cliff, tax benefits for drivers will remain unchanged. It is only the latest example of Congress’ short-sightedness regarding the needs of our nation’s public transportation systems and their riders. [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]