May 30, 2014
NEWS HEADLINES
Public Transit Agencies Mark Memorial Day

Public transportation agencies throughout the U.S. modified their schedules and took riders to special events throughout the Memorial Day weekend. [More]

CLASSIFIEDS
» Atlanta BeltLine Inc. is seeking a senior transit project manager. [More]
» The city of Oklahoma City is looking for an assistant director of public transportation/parking. [More]
» Gainesville, FL, has issued an RFP for ADA paratransit service in the city and Alachua County. [More]
View more Classified Ads »
TO PLACE AN AD: E-mail or fax the requested date(s) of publication to: ptads@apta.com or FAX to (202) 496-4898. Mailing address is: Passenger Transport, 1666 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006. Ad copy is not accepted by phone. DEADLINE: Noon, Monday, one week prior to publication date. INFORMATION: Phone (202) 496-4877.

Patent Reform on Hold in Senate; APTA Takes Active Role in Reform Efforts

Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) recently announced that he would shelve his proposal for introducing a sweeping patent reform bill before the Senate Judiciary Committee, which he chairs. His action stalls comprehensive patent reform in the Senate after a similar bill passed in the House last year.

The call for patent reform gained traction in 2013 after “non-practicing entities”—commonly known as “patent trolls”—made frivolous patent infringement claims against many industries. Public transportation agencies and the companies that support them were subjected to meritless claims as well. [More]

Promoting Public Transit Careers

APTA marked its annual Public Transportation Career Day by partnering with Washington’s Francis L. Cardozo Education Campus, TransSTEM Academy, and Academy of Construction and Design for its fifth annual Industry Day promoting careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). [More]

Members of Congress Recognize Value of Public Transit

Two U.S. senators and a member of the House recently reached out to public transportation agencies and businesses. [More]

APTA Economic Impact Report Links Research, Real-World Examples

The research is in: Investing in public transit equals investing in the economy.

So states APTA’s new report, Economic Impact of Public Transportation, which connects research with real-world examples to illustrate the value of investing in public transportation in terms of local economic development, productivity, and job growth. [More]

Maya Angelou's Legacy Includes Transit Pioneer

Author, civil rights activist, and cultural icon Maya Angelou, who died Wednesday at 86, was San Francisco’s first African-American woman streetcar conductor when she was hired by the Market Street Railway Company at 16. [More]

Summer Travel Study

As the summer travel season kicks off, 124 million Americans will vacation in a U.S. city, with 58 percent of these travelers choosing public transit for at least one activity, according to APTA’s 2014 “Travel Like a Local” survey. This number rises to 67 percent of millennials and adults under 45. [More]

 

New GMs Named

Public transit agencies in San Rafael and Fresno, CA, have announced new chief executives. [More]

CASE STUDY

Pace Focuses on Core Values; Service, Partnerships, Technology Keys to Success

Public transportation general managers know it and so do riders: The long-term viability of a public transit system depends on its ability to innovate, especially now, given today’s increasing demands and shrinking budgets.

The quiet, tree-lined streets of a well-established suburb might not be the place one would expect to find innovative public transportation. But Arlington Heights, IL is more than a bedroom community bordering Chicago’s big-city bustle; it’s home to Pace, among the nation’s many successful suburban bus agencies. [More]

APTA MEMBER PROFILE

Meet Stanley J. Rosenblum!

This is the latest in an ongoing series of columns showcasing APTA members. The subject of this profile is Stanley J. Rosenblum, vice president, Eastern Area Rail Practice group leader, Jacobs Engineering, New York, a member of the APTA Business Member Board of Governors; Authorization Task Force; and Legislative, Commuter Rail, High-Speed & Intercity Rail, Public-Private Partnerships, and Human Resources committees. [More]

APTA NEWS

Rail Conference Speakers Announced

APTA has announced several speakers for the annual Rail Conference, June 15-18 in Montreal, hosted by the Société de transport de ­Montréal and the Agence métropolitaine de transport. [More]

New APTA Practicum Explores International Financing Models

APTA’s in-depth, interactive workshop to explore emerging international funding and financing strategies will feature five public transit policy and investment experts in addition to agency and business leaders. The practicum is June 12-13 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, immediately before the annual Rail Conference. [More]

APTA Partners with AREMA

APTA has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) with the goal of sharing knowledge and ideas between the two organizations and their members, especially with regard to the wheel-rail interface. [More]

AROUND THE INDUSTRY

Intercity Transit Achieves ISO 14001 Certification

Intercity Transit, Olympia, WA, recently received ISO 14001 certification for its significant environmental and sustainability efforts. It is one of nine U.S. public transit systems to earn this certification. [More]

LEED Silver for Centro Transit Hub

The Central New York Regional Transportation Authority (Centro) has received LEED Silver certification for its $18.8 million, state-of-the-art transit hub in downtown Syracuse. [More]

Veolia Program Receives Honor

Veolia Transportation recently received an international award from Caisse des Depots for its DRIVE® program. Launched in May 2011, the Innovation and Sustainable Development Trophies recognize initiatives that can be considered exemplary breakthroughs in sustainable ­development. [More]

MBTA CEO Scott Receives Top WTS Award

Beverly A. Scott, chief executive officer/rail and transit administrator, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, Boston, and 2008-2009 APTA chair, received WTS International’s Woman of the Year award at ceremonies May 15. [More]

New Standards for Wheelchairs

With safety as the top ­priority in wheelchair transportation, the ­Rehabilitation Engineering Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) has updated the WC18 standards for wheelchair tie-down and occupant restraint systems (WTORS), which will take effect in December 2015. [More]

SEPTA Honored for Reconstruction Of 110-Year-Old Transit Hub

The Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia recently honored the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) with a 2014 Preservation Achievement Award for its 33rd and Dauphin Bus Loop Project. The alliance called the project “a historic turnaround” that delivers benefits to the neighborhood it serves. [More]

CTA Cameras Lead to Arrests, Lawsuits for Vandalism

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and the Chicago Police Department are using the CTA’s growing network of security cameras to crack down on graffiti and other vandalism on board buses, railcars, and stations. Their new strategy: filing lawsuits against the parents of minor children and others arrested for the crime to recover the cost of damages. [More]

NYC Transit Reopens Two Bronx Stations Following Renewal Projects

MTA New York City Transit recently commemorated the reopening of the 94-year-old Castle Hill Avenue and Middletown Road subway stations following a seven-month renewal project. Both stations serve the Pelham 6 Line in the Bronx. [More]

Public Transit Agencies Celebrate Anniversaries

Five U.S. public transit agencies recently commemorated historic anniversaries. [More]

COMMENTARY

Transit Investments Drive Positive Change

What makes a city great? Among other things, great cities welcome ethnic diversity, support and foster the arts, have access to venture capital to spur entrepreneurship and innovation, and benefit from healthy environments that provide clean air and water. [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]

FORWARD   |   CALENDAR   |   APTA HOME   |   ADVERTISE WITH US
© Copyright 2014 American Public Transportation Association
1666 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20006
Telephone (202) 496-4882 • Fax (202) 496-4321
Print Version | Search Back Issues | Contact Us | Unsubscribe
Twitter Flickr Blog YouTube Facebook