January 8, 2016
NEWS HEADLINES
A Bright Year Ahead for Public Transit
At the start of every New Year, there is always an abundance of prognostication about what the future holds. For clues about what’s in store for our industry in 2016, we need to start with what changed last year.

Our recent past will shape the immediate future—and bring new urgency to some familiar trends. [More]
CLASSIFIEDS
» The Utah Transit Authority is looking for a president & CEO. [More]
» The Atlanta BeltLine has an opening for a transportation director. [More]
» The Lawton Area Transit System seeks proposals for procurement of seven 30-foot diesel buses. [More]
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Passage of FAST Act Sets Stage for Next Steps in DC

With the passage of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act in December, the year ahead is sure to focus on the interpretation and rollout of its programs. [More]

McMillan: Transit Is 'Backbone' of Mobility

Passenger Transport recently had the opportunity to pose several questions to FTA Acting Administrator Therese ­McMillan exploring some of the themes and trends that are increasingly central to the industry’s future, both near-term and longer range. Her comments follow. [More]

Industry Leaders Recap Key Priorities

Several public transportation leaders from agencies and businesses share their priorities for 2016. [More]

Capital Projects Coming Online in 2016; Denver RTD Leads the Way with Five Projects Opening This Year

Public transportation agencies across the U.S. are preparing to open capital projects during 2016 in a variety of modes: commuter rail, light rail, streetcar and BRT. [More]

Gov. Cuomo Announces $3 Billion Transformation Plan for New York Penn Station

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo unveiled proposals Jan. 6 for the $3 billion Empire Station Complex project, which would transform New York's Penn Station and the historic James A. Farley Post Office into a world-class transportation hub. [More]

Cleveland Dedicates Shaker Heights Station; Station Is Key Part of Area TOD

Officials from Shaker Heights and the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) recently opened the new $5.4 million Lee-Van Aken Station, just steps away from City Hall and the library and one of the busiest stations on the agency’s Blue Line. [More]

CTA Introduces Loop Link Bus Service

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and the city of Chicago introduced the Loop Link, a major modernization of the downtown transportation network, on Dec. 20. [More]

RTD Launches Flatiron BRT

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) in Denver initiated service on the six routes of Flatiron Flyer BRT on Jan. 3, with free service the following day. [More]

New CEOs, Interims Named

A state DOT and an advocacy organization have named new chief executives and two public transit agencies have announced interim chief executives. [More]

Michelle Obama Talks to Omnitrans Riders

Yes, that is Michelle Obama’s voice passengers hear when riding on Omnitrans buses in San Bernardino, CA. [More]

KCATA Enters into Regional Bus Service in Kansas

The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, in partnership with the Kansas counties of Wyandotte and Johnson, began providing a major expansion of regional public transit service on Jan. 4. [More]

Amtrak Introduces PTC on Section of Northeast Corridor

Amtrak recently activated PTC on the Northeast Corridor between Philadelphia and Washington. [More]

SARTA Breaks Ground for Hydrogen Fueling Facility

At ceremonies Jan. 5 attended by Ohio Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor, the Stark Area Regional Transit Authority in Canton, OH, broke ground for its hydrogen fueling facility. [More]

DOT Kicks Off 'Smart Cities' Challenge; Winner Could Receive Up to $50 Million

DOT is offering transportation planners the chance to create a fully integrated, first-of-its-kind city that uses data, technology and creativity to shape how people and goods move in the future—and the winning city may receive up to $40 million in DOT funds, subject to future appropriations, plus up to another $10 million from a ­private-sector partner. [More]

TEX Rail Partners Sign Historic Agreement

Representatives of agencies participating in the TEX Rail commuter rail project signed a historic agreement on Dec. 17. [More]

Dowling Dies; 'Mr. Transit' in Mississauga, ON

Edward John Dowling, 76, first and longtime general manager of Mississauga Transit (now MiWay), Mississauga, ON, and later a sales consultant to Clever Devices, died Dec. 12. [More]

Del Giudice Dies; Headed Arlington Transit

Stephen Joseph Del Giudice, 64, of Washington, DC, transit bureau chief for Arlington County, VA, died Dec. 17. [More]

APTA NEWS

Latest Fact Book Now Available

The latest edition of APTA’s Public Transportation Fact Book is now available in both print and electronic editions. [More]

CASE STUDY

Driving Growth

Click here to read about how New Jersey Transit Corporation and Panasonic created a partnership that increased ridership to 57 percent of employees. [More]

MEET THE APTA STAFF

Meet Stephen Kendrick!

This is the latest in an ongoing series of columns showcasing members of the APTA staff. The subject of this profile is Stephen Kendrick, program manager, Communications & Marketing Department. [More]

AROUND THE INDUSTRY

Las Vegas RTC Showcases Anti-Graffiti Art

Artwork by two seventh graders took top honors in the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada's (RTC) ninth annual anti-graffiti art contest and now appear on a 40-foot RTC bus. [More]

Rock Region METRO Receives Federal Grant for Shelters

Rock Region METRO in North Little Rock, AR, recently received a $360,000 federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant to purchase and install 25 new solar-powered shelters equipped with solar-powered lighting, a bench and a small bike rack. [More]

JR East Unveils HSR Simulator at California Museum

As part of an interactive exhibit that recently opened at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento,"Fast Tracks: The World of High Speed Rail," East Japan Railway Company (JR East) provided a high-speed rail simulator that will allow guests to replicate the experience of operating a modern high-speed train. [More]

DCTA Receives State Grant for Rail Trail

Texas DOT recently awarded approximately $2.4 million in Transportation Alternatives Program funds to the Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) in Lewisville to complete the last portion of the A-train Rail Trail project. [More]

DART Partners with REALTORS® on Dover Bus Shelter

Representatives of DART First State and the Kent County Association of REALTORS® recently partnered on a project to erect a bus shelter near an apartment complex in Dover, DE, funded in part through a National Association of REALTORS® Placemaking Grant to the county association. [More]

'Rose Queen' Checks Out Gold Line Foothill Extension

2016 Tournament of Roses Queen Erika Karen Winter and her court joined representatives of Los Angeles Metro Dec. 28 to promote taking Metro Rail on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day to the parade, Rose Bowl game and post-parade viewing in Pasadena. [More]

Public Transit Can Help Riders Keep New Year's Resolutions

Many people start a new year with hopes of making positive changes in their lives—and public transportation can help, according to CityBus in Lafayette, IN. [More]

Industry Briefs

Here are a few brief news items from public transportation agencies and businesses. [More]

SEPTA Employes Donate 10,000 Toys

Employees of Philadelphia's Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) gave Santa a helping hand by donating 10,000 toys to the authority's 35th annual "Yuletoy" drive. [More]

COMMENTARY

The Win-Win of P3s

Andrew Curtis Right, executive director, DOT’s new Build America Transportation Investment Center (BATIC), spoke with Steve Anderson, managing director, InfrastructureUSA, about the value of P3s. Right’s comments from the Infra Blog follow: [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]

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