Melaniphy Participates in Transportation Summit

APTA President & CEO Michael Melaniphy participated in a panel on transportation and health care during the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Second Annual Transportation Summit on Feb. 20. [More]

Transportation Sec. Foxx to Give Keynote at Legislative Conference

U.S. Transportation ­Secretary Anthony Foxx will give the keynote address at the Opening General Session of APTA’s annual Legislative Conference, March 9-11 in ­Washington, D.C., a meeting focused on federal funding, congressional updates, regulatory activities, DOT initiatives, and APTA’s ­legislative recommendations for the reauthorization of MAP-21, among other issues. [More]

Honolulu Rail Wins Two Federal Legal Judgments

In separate decisions announced Feb. 18, two federal courts ruled that the Honolulu Rail Transit Project had done everything necessary to comply with applicable federal laws and is allowed to move forward. [More]

 

Sun Metro Hosts Mobile Constituent Meeting

Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-TX) conducted a mobile Town Hall meeting in El Paso, TX, on two Sun Metro routes Feb. 7 to meet with constituents who might not otherwise be able to attend regular monthly meetings. [More]

NYC Transit Reopens Dyckman Street Station

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) marked the end of a two-year rehabilitation project at MTA New York City Transit’s (NYC Transit) Dyckman Street subway station with a recent ribbon-cutting ­ceremony. The station is located in Upper Manhattan. [More]

New, Acting GMs Named

Public transit agencies have announced the following three new and acting chief executives. [More]

IN DEPTH

Leadership Training to the MAX: How Three Peer Agencies Make it Work
BY KATHERINE REYNOLDS LEWIS, Special to Passenger Transport

When a crippling ice storm hit Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) last December, stranding 95 light rail vehicles, Marvin Hurt, manager of rail fleet engineering, knew that DART could benefit from the expertise of public transit agencies to the north.

“I immediately got on the phone with my colleague in Denver, because they have snow and ice on a daily basis,” said Hurt, who quickly learned all about ice cutters that could be mounted on the vehicle’s pantograph to slice through ice and free stuck cars. “Less than 24 hours later he sent me pictures, points of contact, where we can move forward with the pantograph.” [More]

APTA MEMBER PROFILE

Meet Richard Kwasneski!

This is the latest in an ongoing series of columns showcasing APTA members. The subject of this profile is Richard Kwasneski, chairman of the board, Pace Suburban Bus, Arlington Heights, IL, a member of the APTA Transit Board Members Committee. [More]

MEET THE APTA STAFF

Meet Laticia A. King!

This is the latest in an ongoing series of columns showcasing members of the APTA staff. The subject of this profile is Laticia A. King, program manager-communications & marketing, Communications and Marketing Department. [More]

APTA NEWS

Transit CEOs Seminar Attracts Senior Executives and Deputies
BY LYNNE MORSEN, Director-Program Management

Public transportation agency chiefs and deputies gathered Feb. 8-11 to study management, policy, and funding issues at APTA’s Transit CEOs Seminar hosted by the Regional Transit Authority, New Orleans, LA. [More]

APTA in March

APTA’s calendar for March showcases a public transit agency, offers interesting data points about the value of public transit, and tracks key APTA events. Here’s what’s up in March. [More]

AROUND THE INDUSTRY

UTA’s ‘RideClear’ Provides Free Rides

In an effort to improve air quality by promoting public transportation use, the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) has partnered with UCAIR, the Utah Clean Air Partnership, to offer free seven-day passes through March 31 under the RideClear program. [More]

Ann Arbor Board Approves Five-Year Improvement Program

The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide) Board of Directors unanimously adopted a Five-Year Transit Improvement Program to improve connectivity among municipalities in the agency’s southeastern Michigan service area. [More]

VCTC and County Partner to Expand Bus Service

The Ventura County Transportation Commission, Ventura, CA, began offering additional service recently on its popular Heritage Valley route. The route now operates with five additional morning trips and three additional afternoon/evening trips. [More]

RTC’s Club Ride, Employers Partner to Promote Green Commutes

Club Ride Commuter Services, a free program sponsored by the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) that partners with area employers to promote greener modes of getting to work, had its most successful year in 2013 for recruiting new partners, reporting of round-trip commutes, and overall positive environmental impact. [More]

AASHTO Marks Centennial with Commemorative Website

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) is commemorating its centennial this year with a special website. [More]

PSTA Paratransit Driver Saves Passenger’s Life

The Pinellas ­Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA), St. Petersburg, FL, recently recognized Care Ride paratransit driver Robert Parissi for performing CPR on one of his passengers. [More]

TriMet Partners with Zipcar

Portland’s Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) recently joined the Zipcar car sharing network to expand availability of vehicles at three TriMet park-and-ride facilities. [More]

Book Examines Boston-New York Rivalry in Subway Construction

A new nonfiction book, The Race Underground: Boston, New York and the Incredible Rivalry That Built America’s First Subway by Doug Most, was recently published by St. Martin’s Press. [More]

COMMENTARY

Two Columns from DOT's Blog

Read DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx's comments on the fifth anniversary of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and FTA Deputy Administrator Therese McMillan's review of studies showing the relationship between public transit and economic growth in the Dallas region. [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]