Senate OKs Short-Term MAP-21 Extension

As expected, the U.S. Senate approved H.R. 2353, the Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2015, extending MAP-21 authorization from May 31 through July 31. [More]

PATCO Welcomes First of Refurbished Railcars; Plan to Rebuild Entire 120-Car Fleet

The Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO) introduced the first six of its long-awaited rebuilt railcars to service on the High-Speed Line in ceremonies May 28 in Cherry Hill, NJ, in an event that was attended by Reps. Robert Brady (D-PA), Donald Norcross (D-NJ), State Senate President Stephen Sweeney and officials from the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA), parent agency of PATCO. [More]

Foothill Gold Line Dedicates Operations Campus

The Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority held a community open house and dedication ceremony May 23—months ahead of schedule—for its state-of-the-art Foothill Gold Line Operations Campus in ­Monrovia, CA. [More]

FRA Issues Order on Controlling Train Speeds for Northeast Corridor

In the aftermath of the May 12 Amtrak derailment in Philadelphia, FRA issued an Emergency Order on May 21 that will assist in controlling passenger train speeds at certain locations on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) and announced its intention to take additional actions to address potential speed issues on all other passenger corridors. [More]

Theft Disrupts Service for Thousands on NYC Subway Line; Metal Thefts Continue to Impact Transit, Say Experts

MTA New York City Transit (NYC Transit) reported a massive theft of copper cable from A line subway tracks in Queens, causing major service disruptions May 27 that affected hundreds of thousands of passengers. [More]

APTA NEWS

UTA Plans Numerous Activities for Rail Conference, June 21-24

The Utah Transit Authority (UTA), host system for the 2015 APTA Rail Conference in Salt Lake City, June 21-24, has announced several special events just prior to and during the conference. [More]

June 18 Is 10th Dump the Pump Day

APTA will hold its 10th annual National Dump the Pump Day on June 18 to encourage public transportation agencies, businesses and supporters to promote public transit as a way to break the grip of the gas pump while supporting an environmentally ­sensitive alternative. [More]

Apply Now for Leadership APTA

Leadership APTA, the association’s premier professional development program, is accepting nominations until June 12 for members of the Class of 2016. [More]

APTA MEMBER PROFILE

Meet Donald A. Orseno!

This is the latest in an ongoing series of columns showcasing APTA members. The subject of this profile is Donald A. Orseno, executive director and chief executive officer, Metra, Chicago, a member of the APTA Board of Directors; chair, Commuter Rail Committee and Commuter Rail CEOs Subcommittee, and member, Legislative and Research & Technology committees. [More]

MEET THE APTA STAFF

Meet Deborah Bongiorno!

This is the latest in an ongoing series of columns showcasing members of the APTA staff. The subject of this profile is Deborah Bongiorno, senior managing editor, Communications and Marketing Department. [More]

AROUND THE INDUSTRY

Amtrak to Install Inward-Facing Cameras in Locomotives

By the end of this year, Amtrak will begin installing inward-facing video cameras in some of its locomotives in service on the Northeast Corridor, and all subsequently delivered locomotives will have the equipment installed before they go into service, providing an additional measure of safety and an additional tool to monitor locomotive and engineer performance, officials recently said. [More]

Bendix Employees Volunteer to Build a House

More than 120 employees of Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems in Elyria, OH, recently assembled the walls of a house for an area family in need, working in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity of Medina County and Help Build Hope. [More]

Who Pays for Roads? New Report Sets the Record Straight

As questions intensify regarding financial investment in infrastructure, a new U.S. PIRG report, Who Pays for Roads? How the “Users Pay” Myth Gets in the Way of Solving America’s Transportation Problems, proposes that all taxpayers—regardless of whether they drive—pay for the nation’s roads. [More]

Three Bus Agencies Unveil New Vehicles

Bus agencies in Florida, Ohio and Indiana recently introduced new buses with alternative fuel technologies.  [More]

BART Opens Crossover Tracks

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) recently introduced service on two new sections of track crossovers on the Pittsburg/Bay Point Line, which allow trains to cross over at high speed to the opposite track to reroute service around a disabled train, problem or maintenance crew. [More]

Hydrogenics, Alstom Partner on Hydrogen Fuel Cells for Trains

Hydrogenics Corporation has entered into a 10-year exclusive agreement, valued at more than 50 million euros, to supply Alstom Transport with hydrogen fuel cell systems for regional commuter trains in Europe. The agreement includes the supply of at least 200 engine systems, along with service and maintenance as necessary. [More]

CTA Promotes Customer Courtesy

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is listening to customer feedback in creating an informational campaign designed to promote courtesy among riders and counteract their specific complaints, including passengers who block the doors, eat on board and leave litter behind, place personal items on the seat next to them and listen to music without using headphones. [More]

Las Vegas RTC Hosts 'Mega Work Expo'

More than 200 job seekers attended the recent Mega Work Expo in Las Vegas, hosted by the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada and its local partners. [More]

Industry Briefs

Here are a few brief notices from throughout the public transportation industry. [More]

CASE STUDY

Prime Numbers: Cleveland's Performance Management System Offers Model, Best Practices for Peer Agencies

When the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) made a presentation to the American Bus Benchmarking Group (ABBG) recently, offering an update on its innovative accomplishment and record-breaking cost savings related to its performance management initiatives, five public transportation systems made plans to visit Cleveland to see how they could “get on board.” [More]

COMMENTARY

The Case Against Transportation Devolution: A Conservative Perspective; Paper Refutes the Devolution Myths

This is a critically important time for federal transportation programs. While many experts argue that we must not only maintain, but substantially increase federal investment in transportation infrastructure, some advocates are now calling for the opposite approach—“devolution” of transportation programs to the states, either in part or in full. [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]