Public transit agencies throughout Florida and parts of Georgia and the Carolinas continue to cope with the unprecedented flooding, vast power outages and extensive damages caused by Hurricane Irma. [More]

LTD Prepares to Welcome Third EmX Line

As Passenger Transport went to press, Lane Transit District (LTD), Eugene, OR, was preparing for the Sept. 17 launch of the third corridor of EmX (Emerald Express) BRT. [More]

Member Webinar Scheduled on Review of APTA Conferences

At its meeting on Oct. 7, the APTA Board of Directors will be asked to consider and adopt a new portfolio and schedule of APTA meetings and conferences to better align with members’ interests and the industry’s challenges. This revised strategy was developed by the 47-member Revenue Task Force after a year-long review and endorsed by the APTA Executive Committee on Sept. 8. [More]

CTA Opens Loop's First New Station in 20 Years

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) recently opened the first new downtown “L” station in 20 years: the $75 million Washington/Wabash Station, a gateway to Millennium Park and the east Loop. [More]

Oklahoma City Ballot Measure Passes

In a special election Sept. 12, voters in Oklahoma City approved Proposition 8, which provides $20 million for public transit projects including new buses and bus stop improvements, by a preliminary measure of 62.5 percent in favor to 37.5 percent opposed. [More]

Ohio First to Achieve Federal Certification of SSO Program

In August 2017, FTA announced that Ohio had become the first of 30 states to receive FTA certification of its State Safety Oversight (SSO) Program. Robust SSO programs are crucial to the safety of our nation’s rail transit systems. [More]

Two Business Acquisitions

SYSTRA has announced its acquisition of International Bridge Technologies and Thales has acquired Guavus. [More]

New CEOs Named

Metrolinx in Toronto has named a new president and chief executive officer, while the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority has chosen an interim general manager and CEO following the upcoming departure of Keith T. Parker. [More]

COMMENTARY

How Public Transit Can Speed Houston's Recovery

Hurricane Harvey hit one of the most famously auto-dependent places on Earth: nearly 91 percent of commuters in the Houston metro travel alone by car to get to work. [B]etween 500,000 and one million cars were destroyed by the storm, the most of any natural disaster in U.S. history. [More]

APTA NEWS

Annual Meeting & EXPO 2017 Only Weeks Away; DOT Secretary Chao to Address Closing Session

DOT Secretary Elaine L. Chao will be the keynote speaker at the Oct. 11 ­Closing General Session of this year’s APTA Annual Meeting in Atlanta, reporting on the administration’s priorities for the future of the industry and the principles for developing an infrastructure initiative by year’s end. [More]

MIT's Coughlin: Beyond 'Disruptive Demographics'

Editor’s Note: Joseph ­Coughlin, founder and director of MIT’s AgeLab, will give the keynote speech at the Oct. 9 Opening ­General Session of the APTA Annual Meeting & EXPO in Atlanta. In advance of the ­meeting, Passenger Transport invited Coughlin to answer a few questions about what he calls “disruptive demographics” resulting from the convergence of baby boomer expectations and technology. [More]

TCRP Committee Seeks New Members

The Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Oversight and Selection Committee (TOPS) is seeking letters of interest regarding joining the committee, to be received by Sept. 25. [More]

FTA Schedules TAM Webinar

As part of a series of webinars addressing Transit Asset Management (TAM)-related topics, FTA will host “Decision Processes for Asset Condition Assessments” Sept. 19 from 2-3 p.m. Eastern time, highlighting the different approaches of two agencies—Denver’s Regional Transportation District and Michigan DOT—to TAM condition assessments. [More]

U.S. Rail Safety Week To Be Observed Sept. 24-30

Operation Lifesaver Inc., the national rail safety education nonprofit, is working in partnership with U.S. DOT, APTA and other organizations to observe the first U.S. Rail Safety Week, Sept. 24-30. [More]

October Is Cyber Security Awareness Month

The federal Department of Homeland Security encourages public transit agencies to participate in its annual October observance of National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM), part of an ongoing campaign to promote education about the importance and impact of cyber security. [More]

MEET THE APTA STAFF

Meet Brian Alberts!

This is the latest in an ongoing series of columns showcasing members of the APTA staff. The subject of this profile is Brian Alberts, director-safety, Member Services Department. [More]

AROUND THE INDUSTRY

Cleveland RTA Rebrands BRT Stations as 'Museum Stops'

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) recently rebranded two HealthLine BRT stations as “Museum Stops” to assist riders looking for nearby museums in the University Circle neighborhood. [More]

DART Opens Bike Hubs in Des Moines

The Des Moines (IA) Regional Transit Authority (DART) recently joined the Des Moines Bicycle Collective in opening five multimodal mobility hubs in the city—connecting DART buses with BCycle bike sharing—with a sixth to open later this year. [More]

WMATA Adds Taxis to Paratransit Options for Passengers

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is adding discounted on-demand taxi service—for as little as $5 per trip—to its options for MetroAccess paratransit customers in Maryland. [More]

Industry Briefs

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 as space permits. [More]