Electric Propulsion Growing in Popularity; Fuel Cell or Plug-In, the Technology Is Becoming More Widely Used
Whether the technology is plug-in (using rechargeable batteries) or fuel cells, electric propulsion is becoming an increasingly feasible mode of operations for public transportation buses. A growing number of U.S. public transit agencies is incorporating electric-powered vehicles into their fleets, thanks to the growing presence of electric vehicle manufacturers and subcontractors. Figures from 2013, the latest available, quoted in APTA's 2014 Public Transportation Fact Book, show that 13.2 percent run hybrid-electric buses. [More]
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COVERAGE OF APTA LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE |
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Stand Together and Stand Up for Transportation
Imagine the impact of no federal funds for your public transportation agency.
What projects would stop or never begin? How many jobs would be lost and businesses would suffer? What would happen to your community and its residents and visitors?
Stand up for funding on Stand Up for Transportation Day on April 9, APTA's national day of advocacy, and schedule an event that shines a light on the value of public transportation and the importance of a multi-year transportation reauthorization bill. [More]
APTA Members Share Insights at Senate Banking Committee Roundtables
Senior leaders from several public transportation agencies participated in two invitation-only special roundtables on Capitol Hill hosted by the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee to provide information about their operations and challenges as the committee takes up the surface transportation authorization bill. [More]
Travel and Transit's Natural Partnership
Roger Dow, president and chief executive officer, U.S. Travel Association (USTA), keynote speaker at a conference breakfast, said America stays "connected through travel and transportation," especially as U.S. cities compete for large-scale travel-related events with cities abroad. [More]
Three Days of Advocacy
More than 650 leaders from public transit systems and businesses that serve the public transportation market gathered in Washington, D.C., March 8-10 for APTA's 40th annual Legislative Conference. Click here to see a photographic portrait of the conference. [More]
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APTA MEMBER PROFILE |
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Meet Richard W. Andreski!
This is the latest in an ongoing series of columns showcasing APTA members. The subject of this profile is Richard W. Andreski, chief of staff, rail operations, New Jersey Transit Corporation, co-chair, Early Career Program Mentors; member, Leadership APTA Class of 2009 and Human Resources Committee. [More]
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AROUND THE INDUSTRY |
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High-Value Benefits of HSR
Jeff Morales, chief executive officer of the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA), recently spoke to rail industry representatives during a working lunch at the association's offices on how high-speed rail will have a transformative impact on that state's future. [More]
Laketran Station Honors Memory of Julie Cunningham
Laketran in Painesville, OH, recently dedicated the new Painesville Transfer Center in memory of Julie A. Cunningham, a Laketran board member from 1998-2001 and president/chief executive officer of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO), Washington, D.C., from 2001 until her death in 2014. [More]
Las Vegas RTC Launches Project
The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC), Las Vegas, recently launched a $40.3 million project to improve the Flamingo Road corridor, which connects to 15 RTC routes: 11 residential, three express routes and the Deuce on the Las Vegas Strip that operates with double-decker buses. One route is dedicated to the corridor; it carries 12,000 riders daily. [More]
Chicago's Metra Wins Award for Online Efforts
Metra's online campaign promoting the rail service as the gateway to summer fun was recently honored with a Silver ADDY award from the American Advertising Federation, marking the second year in a row that a Metra marketing campaign has received a silver award. [More]
Houston METRO Breaks Ground for Light Rail Overpass
Houston’s Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) broke ground March 14 for the Harrisburg Overpass, the last component of the new Green (East End) METRORail light rail line scheduled to open this spring. [More]
SEKISUI Acquires Third Manufacturing Facility
SEKISUI Polymer Innovations LLC (SPI) recently purchased a third manufacturing facility, a 375,000-square-foot building located two miles from the company’s headquarters and manufacturing facility in Bloomsburg, PA. [More]
TSA's 'Loaned Executive' Program
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) invites senior-level transportation security officials to participate in its Loaned Executive Program, which expands its information sharing capability to public transit agencies. [More]
APTA, AASHTO Report: 'Bottom Line'
APTA President & CEO Michael Melaniphy and Bud Wright, executive director, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, recently released the 2015 Bottom Line Report, which estimates that all levels of government will have to make an annual capital investment of $163 billion for six years just to meet current demand for transportation infrastructure. [More]
King County Metro Presents Innovative Low-Income Fare Program
King County Metro Transit's new reduced-fare program is making public transit service more affordable for thousands of lower-income riders. [More]
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APTA NEWS |
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Summit Explores Healthcare Access Strategies
"Rides to Wellness: An Executive Health and Transportation Summit," a recent half-day event organized by the National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM), attracted leaders from public transportation, healthcare organizations and federal agencies to explore strategies to eliminate one of the largest barriers to healthcare access: a lack of transportation. [More]
Highlights of Bus Conference Schedule
The APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference, May 3-6 in Fort Worth, TX, is only six weeks away. Here are a few more highlights from the conference schedule. [More]
New Deadline for Early Career Program
The APTA Early Career Program (ECP) has extended its deadline for receipt of applications for the Class of 2016 until March 27. [More]
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COMMENTARY |
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State Leaders Advocate for Long-Term Transportation Bill; Officials Reiterate Federal-State-City Partnerships as Critical in Meeting Needs
Three state and local officials testified March 17 before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee that they foresee significant disruption in long-range transportation infrastructure projects if Congress doesn't pass a long-term surface transportation bill. The hearing was the T&I Committee's second information-gathering session as it considers provisions in the bill. [More]
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PEOPLE ON THE MOVE |
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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]
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