July 24, 2015
BREAKING NEWS
Update on Surface Transportation Bill

On Friday, July 24, the Senate passed a further procedural vote to advance the surface transportation bill. Senators are expected to work over the weekend and next week on the bill as the July 31 funding deadline looms. The House has approved a five-month extension to Dec. 18 to allow additional time to enact a long-term bill.

As the Senate bill stands today, the public transit authorization would increase from $10.690 billion in the current year to $11.633 billion in Fiscal Year 2016, and increase over the next six years to $13.36 billion in FY 2021. For the latest details, visit the APTA website[More]

CLASSIFIEDS
» The Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority seeks a chief executive officer. [More]
» The College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs, University of Illinois at Chicago, is looking for an executive director for its Urban Transportation Center. [More]
» The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority requests proposals for bus lease financing. [More]
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NEWS HEADLINES

Senate Releases Transportation Bill

As Passenger Transport went to press, on July 22 the Senate passed a cloture vote by 62-36 that allows it to proceed to consideration of a comprehensive, six-year surface transportation authorization bill released the previous day. [More]

Colorado DOT Launches 'Bustang'

Colorado DOT (Colo. DOT) introduced Bustang service—the state’s first-ever state-owned and operated bus system—on July 13 with events in Glenwood Springs and Denver. [More]

Charlotte's Gold Line ­Streetcar Begins Service

Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx and FTA Acting Administrator Therese McMillan spoke at ribbon-cutting ceremonies July 14 in Charlotte, NC, introducing streetcar service on the Charlotte Area Transit System’s (CATS) CityLYNX Gold Line—the first time this mode has operated in the streets of Charlotte in 77 years. [More]

DOT's Foxx: 'Invest in Future Generations'

DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx stressed the role of “generations investing in future generations” in creating “the safest, most efficient, most effective transportation system in the world” in his July 22 keynote address before the “New York Moves” transportation conference in New York City. [More]

L.A. Metro Re-Creates 1990 Blue Line Opening

Los Angeles Metro commemorated 25 years of modern Metro Rail—and 87 miles of rail built—at a July 13 event by re-creating the opening of the Metro Blue Line at the same spot where it first occurred. [More]

New CEOs Named

Three public transit agencies have announced new chief officers. [More]

Holmes Dies; Past IndyGo Head

Gilbert L. Holmes, 79, retired president and chief executive officer of IndyGo in Indianapolis and president/founder, Gil Holmes Associates LLC, died June 24. [More]

ADA AT 25

Celebrating 25 Years of ADA, 1990-2015

On July 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed historic civil rights legislation enacting the Americans with Disabilities Act, surrounded by congressional supporters, people with disabilities and families on the South Lawn of the White House. Click here to see the special publication APTA created to commemorate ADA's 25th anniversary. [More]

APTA Staff Attends White House Event Celebrating ADA Anniversary

APTA Vice President of Workforce Development and Educational Services Pam Boswell and Passenger Transport editor Deborah Bongiorno attended a July 20 White House event in the East Room to honor the 25th anniversary of ADA. [More]

"Yes, Please Touch the Art": VIA Hosts 'The Color of Blind' to Celebrate ADA Anniversary

Art creates a shared bond in communities. It brightens faces, lifts spirits and provides therapeutic value. Imagine, if you will, a beautiful piece of artwork without actually seeing it, but instead using your remaining four senses to grasp the artist’s expression and “see” and understand his or her vision. [More]

RTA Participates in Disability Pride Parade

The Regional Transportation Authority, Chicago Transit Authority, Pace Suburban Bus and Metra were among the sponsors of Chicago’s recent Disability Pride Parade. CTA also participated in the parade, joined by Mobility Ventures LLC. [More]

COUNTDOWN TO 2015 ANNUAL MEETING

Annual Meeting: Speakers, Educational Sessions, Networking

The 2015 APTA Annual Meeting, Oct. 4-7 at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square, will offer something to interest every public transportation professional: insightful keynote speakers, a variety of networking opportunities, educational sessions, award ceremonies and technical tours. [More]

SFMTA Is On the Move in San Francisco; Use Public Transit to See the City by the Bay

The city of San Francisco, the San Francisco Municipal Transpor­tation Agency (SFMTA) and the Bay Area’s regional transit agencies are delighted to host this year’s APTA Annual Meeting. I look forward to welcoming you and your colleagues to our wonderful city and region. [More]

Educational Sessions Offer In-Depth Look at Public Transportation Issues, Trends

A major component of the APTA Annual Meeting is the numerous educational sessions focusing on issues ranging from federal legislation and public-private partnerships to leadership strategies and maintaining continuity in operations. [More]

Schedule-at-a-Glance

Click here to see the APTA Annual Meeting Schedule-at-a-Glance as of July 21. [More]

Save on Travel Costs by Using APTA's Partners

Are you planning to attend the APTA Annual Meeting in San Francisco? APTA has partnered with several companies to provide discounts to meeting participants. Take advantage of these discounts and save. [More]

AdWheel: 36 Years of Marketing, Communications Awards

What’s so special about your organization’s special events? Does your app or social media presence bring increased awareness of public transit to your community? Is your branding an important way to keep your name before the public? [More]

SFMTA, Partners Plan 14 Technical Tours

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), host system for the 2015 APTA Annual Meeting, and its regional partners have released the following preliminary list of technical tours. More information regarding date, time and specific requirements (i.e., dress for walking or bicycling) will be released closer to the meeting. [More]

APTF to Name Scholarship Winners; First ADA, Fran Hooper Scholarships Will Be Awarded

The American Public Transportation Foundation (APTF) will name the inaugural recipients of two new scholarships during special ceremonies Tuesday, Oct. 6, at the association’s upcoming Annual Meeting in San Francisco. [More]

APTA's 2015 Awards Honor Exemplary Leaders, Organizations

In celebration of the “best of the best” in public transportation, the newly named 2015 APTA Award winners are outstanding role models of leadership, dedication and commitment whose accomplishments have greatly advanced the industry. [More]

San Francisco: A Small City with a Big Punch, the 'Perfect Place' for APTA's Annual Meeting

APTA’s Annual Meeting is always extraordinary, but when the venue is “the city by the Bay,” you know the four-day event will be otherworldly. [More]

More About the 2015 Annual Meeting

APTA’s Annual Meeting offers plenty of opportunities to network, learn and share, but there’s more to do. Here’s a sampling. [More]

APTA MEMBER PROFILE

Meet Donna P. McNamee!

This is the latest in an ongoing series of columns showcasing APTA members. The subject of this profile is Donna P. McNamee, trustee, Laketran, Painesville, OH, a member of the APTA Executive Committee; vice chair, Transit Board Members ADA Subcommittee; and member, Transit Board Members, Legislative and Access committees. [More]

MEET THE APTA STAFF

Meet Channon Hanna!

This is the latest in an ongoing series of columns showcasing members of the APTA staff. The subject of this profile is Channon Hanna, senior legislative representative, Government Affairs Department. [More]

APTA NEWS

Strategic Plan Guides APTA in Addressing Key Industry Challenges

APTA’s new strategic plan for 2015-2019, The Way Forward, continues to center the association’s work on five key challenges and opportunities facing the industry. [More]

APTA Seeks Comments on Seven Standards

The APTA Standards Program requests public comment through July 31 on seven standards. [More]

Transit Board Members, Staff Meet for Best Practices Seminar

More than 150 public transit agency board members and professional board staff gathered recently in Denver for the APTA Transit Board Members and Board Support Seminar, a two-track program that focused on best practices regarding policy making, governance and fiduciary duties, succession planning, safety, regional legislative issues, leadership development and funding among other topics. [More]

AROUND THE INDUSTRY

Melaniphy Addresses International High-Speed Rail Congress

APTA President & CEO Michael Melaniphy addressed the Closing Afternoon Session of the 9th UIC World Congress on High Speed Rail July 9 in Tokyo. [More]

TRB Seeks Nominations for Sharon D. Banks Award

The Transportation Research Board (TRB) is seeking nominations by Aug. 31 for the Sharon D. Banks Award for Humanitarian Leadership in Transportation, given to recognize excellence in people-oriented initiatives throughout transportation. [More]

Big Blue Bus to Introduce 'RNG' Technology

The Big Blue Bus (BBB) in Santa Monica, CA, will be among the first U.S. public transit agencies to convert its fleet from liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Redeem™, a new fuel product that the producer, Clean Energy Fuels Corp., calls “renewable natural gas” (RNG). [More]

Engineering Career Ladders for Passenger Rail: APTA, Partners, Academia Explore Options

What does it take to integrate the workforce development needs of passenger rail with the curriculum of the nation’s leading higher education engineering programs? [More]

Midland Odessa District Opens 'Central Site' Administration Facility

The Midland Odessa Urban Transit District, Odessa, TX, operator of EZ-Rider public transit service, recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the grand opening of its 8,000-square-foot administration building adjacent to the Midland International Air and Space Port. [More]

MTS to Rename Light Rail Blue Line for UC San Diego

The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and UC San Diego Health have entered into a 30-year agreement to rename the system’s light rail Blue Line the “UC San Diego Blue Line." [More]

Celebrating a Subway Centennial

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority recently celebrated the centennial anniversary of the now-defunct Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit Corporation (BMT) with special nostalgia rides. [More]

ORCA Agencies Introduce Regional Day Passes

The Puget Sound area public transit agencies participating in the regional ORCA smart card system have teamed up to launch the Regional Day Pass program, with two new pass products designed to ease system use especially for tourists and visitors to the area. [More]

Metra Hosts CPR, AED Demonstrations

Metra commuter rail, serving the Chicago area, recently teamed up with Northwestern Medicine® and the American Heart Association to provide lifesaving demonstrations at several stations during the morning rush period. [More]

Riding Along in Cincinnati

Cincinnati Metro invited prospective bus operators to “shadow” driver Orlando King—a 23-year veteran and this year’s Operator of the Year—on Bus Operator Career Day at the Queensgate garage. [More]

MTA's Fulton Center Art Honored

Americans for the Arts recognized MTA Arts & Design with its Year in Review honor for two projects in the recently opened Fulton Center in Lower Manhattan: cable-net sculpture "Sky Reflector-Net," permanent art, and the large-scale video installation "New York Minute," temporary art. [More]

AVTA Introduces Rider Relief Program

The Antelope Valley Transit Authority recently launched the Rider Relief Transportation Program, an initiative funded by Los Angeles Metro to help reduce the cost of public transportation for eligible valley residents. [More]

CATA Retires Its First CNG Buses

After 22 years of service, the Centre Area Transportation Authority (CATA), State College, PA, recently retired its oldest CNG-powered buses. [More]

California Bus Operators to the Rescue

Bus operators in San Jose and Riverside, CA, recently came to the rescue when children went missing in their service areas. [More]

LAVTA Dedicates 'Art Shelter Mural'

The Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority, Livermore, CA, recently dedicated the 15th in its series of Art Shelter Murals, with high school students who created the artwork in attendance [More]

Industry Briefs

Here are some brief notices from public transit agencies and businesses throughout the U.S. [More]

COMMENTARY

Five Steps for Growing Inclusive Transportation Systems

Approximately four billion people currently live in urban ­environments around the world—a figure that is only expected to increase in the coming decades. While cities develop new transportation systems to support their current population and anticipated growth, many gaps exist in the transportation ecosystem. In the past few years, the sharing economy, or shared mobility, has grown to address these gaps, including the rise of bike sharing, car sharing and on-demand ride services. [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]

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