The Nov. 3 election brought good news to public transit systems across the U.S., including a comprehensive transportation measure in Seattle funded by a $930 million, nine-year property tax and a 10-year property tax to fund the introduction of Ann Arbor Area (MI) Transportation Authority (TheRide) service into neighboring Scio Township. [More]

New Flyer to Acquire Motor Coach Industries; Transaction to Close by Year's End

New Flyer Industries Inc., Winnipeg, MB, Canada, announced Nov. 10 that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Motor Coach Industries International Inc. (MCI), Des Plaines, IL, from an affiliate of KPS Capital Partners L.P. for $455 million, subject to certain purchase price adjustments. [More]

CTA Yellow Line Resumes After Stoppage; Water Dept. Project Disrupted Service

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) recently restored service on the Yellow Line following an embankment collapse in May resulting from construction on Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) property. [More]

Cleveland RTA Partners with DOL, Education Institutions; Program Supports Skilled Workforce

“In a year where collaboration is taking center stage, it is great to see the collaborative efforts of two federal agencies, labor unions and some of the finest educational institutions in the country produce successes like we are seeing in Cleveland,” said APTA Chair Valarie J. McCall, a member of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) Board of Trustees. [More]

VRE to Open New Terminus

As Passenger Transport went to press, Virginia Railway Express (VRE) was preparing for the first extension of the commuter rail line since its launch in 1992 with the Nov. 16 opening of its new Spotsylvania Station. [More]

Calabrese: A 'Public Official of Year'

Governing Magazine has named Joe Calabrese, chief executive officer and general manager of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA), as one of its nine ­“Public Officials of the Year.” He was the only one named in public transportation. [More]

New CEOs Named

Two public transit agencies and one state DOT have announced new chief executives. [More]

2015 APTA-TRB LIGHT RAIL & STREETCAR CONFERENCE

Blurred Lines: Light Rail, Streetcars Share Features

While there are clear differences between light rail and streetcars, the differences aren’t always clear-cut, especially for newly constructed systems. [More]

Why Streetcars and Why Now?

Streetcar systems were ubiquitous at the turn of the last century and are uniquely suited now to serve all the high-density development underway in downtowns across the United States. [More]

Driving Purpose: U.S. Research: Streetcars Leverage Development, City Identity, Public Transit

The streetcar has made a remarkable resurgence in the U.S. in recent years. However, despite the proliferation of streetcar projects, there is remarkably little analysis of the streetcar’s role as a transportation service. [More]

UITP: 13.6 Billion Trips Worldwide on Light Rail; International Research: U.S. Activity 'Extensive'

Almost 400 cities around the world operate light rail and trolley (tram) systems and provided approximately 13.6 billion passenger trips in 2014, according to the most recent figures available from the International Association of Public Transport (UITP), with extensive activity in the U.S. and France. [More]

The Power of Traveling Light: Agency Leaders Share Insight into Light Rail's Impact

Light rail systems crisscross neighborhoods, cities and even states, linking riders to job centers, prompting economic development and strengthening community and regional expansion. To find out how public transportation agencies are leveraging light rail’s value, Passenger Transport posed this question to leaders:

Please share one element of your agency’s light rail system that has had the greatest impact on your community, describe how light rail facilitates intermodal transit in your community and note how your system maximizes this for the benefit of your riders or greater community. [More]

A Streetcar Named Resurgence: Streetcars Are Reclaiming Their Public Transit Niche

Streetcars: A Modern Mode

Two public transportation business leaders--Thomas B. Furmaniak of LTK Engineering Services and Joel McNeil of Brookville Equipment Corporation--comment on new developments in streetcar technology. [More]

Rail-Volution: A Focus on Light Rail

Light rail was a central point of discussion during the recent Rail~Volution conference in Dallas. [More]

Kansas City's First Streetcar in 50 Years Arrives

Everything's up to date in Kansas City, including its streetcars. [More]

CATS on the Move

North Carolina’s Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is expanding with multiple rail lines and infrastructure projects that support growth and spur private development along numerous corridors. [More]

Welcoming the Cincinnati Streetcar

More than 250 supporters welcomed the first Cincinnati Streetcar when it arrived Oct. 30 at Cincinnati Metro’s maintenance and operations facility from the CAF USA assembly plant in Elmira, NY. [More]

APTA MEMBER PROFILE

Meet David Stackrow!

This is the latest in an ongoing series of columns showcasing APTA members. The subject of this profile is David M. Stackrow, CPA, board chair, Capital District Transportation Authority, Albany, NY, 2009 APTA Outstanding Public Transportation Board Member; member, APTA Board of Directors; chair, Transit Board Members and Audit committees; co-chair, APTA Task Force on Member Collaboration; member, Legislative, Finance and Procurement Steering committees. [More]

MEET THE APTA STAFF

Meet Joyce Gartrell!

This is the latest in an ongoing series of columns showcasing members of the APTA staff. The subject of this profile is Joyce Gartrell, staff accountant-payroll, Finance Department. [More]

APTA NEWS

APTA to Hold Passenger Rail Forum

APTA members, federal officials, congressional staff and other passenger rail stakeholders will convene at the new APTA offices on Wednesday, Dec. 2 for a Policy Forum, “Getting to the Tipping Point for High-Speed Rail in the U.S.: The Role of the Federal Government in High-Speed and Intercity Rail Development.” [More]

Register for Call Center Challenge

APTA invites call center personnel at member public transportation agencies—employees who handle incoming calls related to customer service issues and/or trip planning—to compete in the ninth annual Call Center Challenge. [More]

APTA Issues Ridership Report for First Half of 2015

Nearly 5.3 billion trips were taken on U.S. public transportation in the first six months of 2015, according to APTA. [More]

AROUND THE INDUSTRY

FTA, RTAP Webinar Focuses on Small Bus System Safety Issues

FTA and its National Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP) will jointly host an hour-long webinar for small and rural bus agencies Tuesday, Dec. 1, beginning at 2:30 p.m. Eastern time, focusing on the FTA Bus Safety Program and Safety Management Systems (SMS). [More]

SEPTA Breaks Ground on ADA Accessibility Project at Station

Leaders from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) in Philadelphia joined state and city elected officials, disability advocates and community and business leaders recently to break ground for ADA accessibility improvements at its 40th Street Station on the Market-Frankford Line. [More]

FRA Announces Two NEC Projects

FRA recently released a draft Environmental Impact Statement for future development of the Northeast Corridor between Washington, DC, and Boston, and the agency awarded a $27.8 million grant for a magnetic ­levitation project that would connect Baltimore and Washington. [More]

Lewis Receives Sharon Banks Award

The Transportation Research Board has named Carol A. Lewis, professor in the Department of Transportation Studies and director of the Center for Transportation Training and Research at Texas Southern University, as the recipient of the 2016 Sharon D. Banks Award for Humanitarian Leadership in Transportation. [More]

Public Transportation Agencies Salute Vets, Active Duty Personnel

As Passenger Transport went to press, U.S. public transportation agencies commemorated Veterans Day, Nov. 11, with special programs for veterans and active duty military personnel who are riders and employees. Here are a few examples. [More]

Railroad Hall of Fame Honors Budd

The National Railroad Hall of Fame inducted Edward Gowen Budd (1870-1946), founder in 1912 of the Edward G. Budd Manufacturing Co. in Philadelphia, during recent ceremonies at St. Louis Union Station. [More]

KCATA Celebrates 'Royal' Record Ridership

The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority deployed its entire 256-bus fleet into shuttle service—assisted by school buses and buses from Johnson County, KS—for the Nov. 3 celebration of the Kansas City Royals’ win in the 2015 World Series. [More]

COMMENTARY

Defining Our Role in the New Mobility Paradigm

APTA President & CEO Michael P. Melaniphy considers the importance of connectedness to public transportation, both now and in the future.

The history of public transportation is the story of connectedness—to jobs, family, friends, opportunities and a better way of life. [More]

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

Who's Doing What in the Industry

Click here to see the latest 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]