During an Aug. 6 virtual town hall meeting with thousands of participants nationwide, DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx called on transportation supporters to contact their members of Congress and speak to other people in their communities about the importance of a stable and long-term funding source for infrastructure. [More]

Crowds Welcome New Denver Union Station

An estimated 10,000 people gathered July 26 to commemorate the gala reopening of Denver Union Station as a multimodal transportation hub that also features retail, dining options, and a luxury hotel. [More]

Gold Start for Silver Line

Washington Metro­politan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) General Manager and CEO Richard Sarles hosted DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx, Acting Undersecretary of Transportation for Policy Peter Rogoff, FTA Deputy Administrator Therese ­McMillan, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, several members of Congress, and hundreds of riders in a recent celebration to mark the opening of the first phase of the authority’s Silver Line—the largest expansion of its rail service in 20 years. [More]

Congress' Recess Ideal Time to Say Thanks, Show Value

As Congress shored up the nearly insolvent Highway Trust Fund with a $10.8 billion funding measure that passed hours before members left Washington, DC, for a five-week recess, APTA members said their summer advocacy efforts would now shift to thanking their delegations for addressing the short-term problem and reminding elected leaders of the need for long-term solutions. [More]

Obama Nominates McMillan FTA Administrator

DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx named Therese McMillan as acting FTA administrator on July 30, following the recent Senate confirmation of Peter Rogoff as DOT undersecretary for policy. She has served in this position on an informal basis for several months. [More]

Wins and Losses for Public Transit at the Ballot Box

Voters handed public transportation wins and losses in state and local elections on Aug. 5. [More]

Developer, VRE Break Ground

The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) and SunCal, the developer of a new waterfront community in suburban Washington, DC, recently broke ground for a new commuter rail station, which will be located in the new development, Potomac Shores. [More]

DART Prepares to Open Station at DFW Airport

Beginning Aug. 18, passengers on Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) can take light rail all the way to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport—and from there, the rest of the world—on the 4.7-mile Orange Line light rail extension to the new DFW Airport Station. DART was completing plans for opening day as Passenger Transport went to press. [More]

Hinman, Chairman, CH2M HILL

The Board of Directors of CH2M HILL has appointed President and Chief Executive Officer Jacqueline Hinman as the firm’s chairman of the board, effective Sept. 18. She will also remain at her current positions. [More]

APTA MEMBER PROFILE

Meet Jeanne Krieg!

This is the latest in an ongoing series of columns showcasing APTA members. The subject of this profile is Jeanne Krieg, chief executive officer, Eastern Contra Costa Transit Authority, Antioch, CA, a member of the APTA Executive Committee; co-chair, Procurement Steering Committee; member, Legislative and Bus and Paratransit CEOs committees; and a graduate of the Leadership APTA Class of 1998. [More]

APTA NEWS

APTA Honors Seven Members for Sustainability Commitment

APTA recognized seven members that have achieved higher recognition in its Sustainability Commitment at an Aug. 4 event during the Sustainability and Public Transportation Workshop in Boston, bringing the total of members that have achieved bronze, silver, gold, and platinum recognition to 24. [More]

Annual Meeting & EXPO Update

APTA’s Annual ­Meeting & EXPO, Oct. 12-15 in Houston, continues to grow, as programs, speakers, technical forums, and committee meetings are added to the schedule. [More]

APTA Issues Call for Papers for 2015 Bus, Rail Conferences

APTA invites its members to submit abstracts by Sept. 3 for papers and presentations for the 2015 Bus & Paratransit Conference, May 3-6 in Fort Worth, TX, and the 2015 Rail Conference, June 21-24 in Salt Lake City. [More]

AROUND THE INDUSTRY

Nippon Sharyo U.S.A. Holds Grand Opening Ceremony for Shop 3

Nippon Sharyo Manufacturing LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nippon Sharyo U.S.A. Inc., celebrated the opening of its expanded railcar production facility, Shop 3, in Rochelle, IL, on July 30. [More]

Public Transit Agencies Celebrate Anniversaries

Five U.S. public transportation agencies are celebrating noteworthy anniversaries in 2014. [More]

DOT Proposes New Regulation to Reduce Risk of Large Bus Rollovers

DOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently proposed a new federal motor vehicle safety standard related to motor coach and other large buses in the event of rollovers. The proposal affects some public transit agencies that use over-the-road coaches for commuter bus service. [More]

Los Angeles Metro Wins Local Emmy for Union Station Broadcast

Los Angeles Metro recently received a local Emmy Award for an episode of its quarterly Metro Motion television show commemorating the 75th anniversary of Los Angeles Union Station. [More]

A Rolling Art Gallery in Des Moines

“Underfoot,” a sculpture by artist and educator Rachel Buse, is one of four artworks currently on display inside a Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority bus. [More]

BART 'Octopus' Promotes Free Rides

As part of a partnership between the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) and the Monterey Bay Aquarium promoting free student field trips, BART has wrapped five railcars with the image of an octopus. [More]

Industry Briefs

Here's a roundup of news from public transportation's transit agencies and private sector companies. [More]

APTA's Stanley Receives COMTO Scholarship

Mariah Stanley, educational services coordinator in APTA’s Workforce Development and Educational Services Department, received a Conference of Minority Transportation Officials scholarship, funded by Parsons Brinckerhoff, during the organization’s recent Annual Meeting in Atlanta. [More]

COMMENTARY

Perspectives on the Highway Trust Fund Short-Term Patch

Who's saying what about the short-term patch to the Highway Trust Fund? These excerpts from opinion pieces and blogs reflect some national perspectives released a few days following congressional approval of the bill. [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]