May 18, 2018
Looking Forward at APTA's Bus & Paratransit Conference

More than 1,800 bus and paratransit industry professionals and more than 130 vendors ­participated in the 2018 APTA Bus & Paratransit ­Conference and International Bus Roadeo in Tampa, FL, May 6-9. [More]

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Opening Session Focuses on High Tech and Mobility Management

The future of public transportation was the central theme during the May 7 Opening General Session of the APTA 2018 Bus & Para­transit Conference in Tampa, FL, beginning with a high-energy video montage of buses in action. [More]

APTA Business Members Promote Public Transportation on Capitol Hill

More than twenty APTA business members participated in a Capitol Hill fly-in to advocate for continued federal investment in public transportation, both in the annual appropriations process and through the much-discussed proposals for a new infrastructure initiative, May 17 during National Infrastructure Week. [More]

FTA's K. Jane Williams Says Public Transit 'Literally Saves Lives'

FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams called public transit agencies—including the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART), one of the host systems for the APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference in Tampa, FL—“the lifeline” that “literally saves lives” and is “simply irreplaceable” in her May 7 remarks during the “FTA Update” General Session. [More]

APTA Releases Legislative Alert on House THUD Bill

APTA released a Legislative Alert May 16 regarding that day's markup of the Fiscal Year 2019 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) appropriations bill by the House THUD Appropriations Subcommittee. [More]

Ferries Receive FTA Funds to Enhance Safety, Reliability

Thirteen APTA member agencies were among the 20 recipients of FTA funds from the Passenger Ferry Grant Program, totaling $58.2 million, to improve the safety and reliability of U.S. passenger ferries and enhance mobility for ferry users. [More]

Metrolink Opens Station Serving Burbank Airport

Metrolink commuter rail, joined by representatives of Los Angeles Metro and Hollywood Burbank Airport, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony May 10—in advance of the launch of service May 14—to mark the completion of a new station on Metrolink’s Antelope Valley Line that will connect travelers with the airport. [More]

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Ohio EPA Grants for Alternative Fuel Vehicles Conversion

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) has awarded almost $1 million to four public transit agencies in the state through a grant program to help fund conversion of diesel-powered fleet vehicles to CNG. [More]

RATP Dev USA Acquires California-Based Firm

RATP Dev USA has announced its acquisition of Roadrunner Management Services, a provider of transportation services in the Southern and Central California markets. [More]

New CEOs Named

Rock Region METRO, North Little Rock, AR, and the Erie (PA) Metropolitan Transit Authority have named new chief executives. [More]

FTA Small Starts Grants for IndyGo, Sound Transit

FTA announced May 15 that IndyGo in Indianapolis and Sound Transit in Seattle will each receive $75 million Small Starts grants through the Capital Investment Grant program, for a new BRT line and a light rail line extension respectively. [More]

APTA / FRA Webinar on Notice of Funding Opportunity for PTC System Grants

APTA is convening a webinar with FRA representatives to discuss a Notice of Funding Opportunity for $250 million in PTC system grants, 2-3 p.m. EST, Monday, May 21. [More]

Maryland Achieves SSO Certification

FTA has announced that Maryland has obtained federal certification of its rail transit State Safety Oversight (SSO) Program in advance of an April 15, 2019, deadline. [More]

In Memoriam: Engelken, Longtime APTA Employee

Albert Engelken, 79, of Alexandria, VA, a 28-year employee of APTA and its predecessor organization, the American Transit Association, and a member of the APTA Hall of Fame, died May 9. [More]

COMMENTARY

Being a Mobility Services Provider Means Providing Mobility for ALL BY ROBBIE MAKINEN, President & CEO, Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, Kansas City, MO

When I think of the importance of accessibility in public transportation, becoming a mobility services provider with options, enhanced quality of service and flexibility all come to mind. [More]
APTA NEWS

APTA Study: Failure to Address Public Transit Modernization Results in Huge Loss to Economy

To coincide with the release of a new study, The Economic Cost of Failing to Modernize ­Public Transportation, APTA convened a press conference call with public transit leaders May 17 during National Infrastructure Week to discuss the costs of not addressing aging and deteriorating public transit infrastructure. [More]

Editor-in-Chief of WIRED Magazine to Address APTA Rail Conference

Greg Williams, editor-in-chief of WIRED magazine and a leading authority on technology trends and the ways in which they impact business and society, will deliver the keynote address at the June 11 Opening General Session of APTA’s 2018 Rail Conference, June 10-13 in Denver. [More]

Dump the Pump Day June 21

The 13th annual National Dump the Pump Day, Thursday, June 21, is a great opportunity to thank current ­riders and attract new ones. [More]

MORE FROM THE 2018 BUS & PARATRANSIT CONFERENCE

Strengthening the Safety Culture Through Reporting, Data

Three high-energy national leaders on bus safety issues informed and invigorated an attentive audience at the May 7 “Safety Culture, Reporting and Data” session. [More]

Five Agencies Earn Gold Awards for Safety, Security

APTA announced the recipients of its annual Bus Safety & Security Excellence Awards during the conference to recognize public transit agencies for innovative programs dedicated to improving safety and security for their employees, passengers and the public. [More]

General Session: Big Data's Big Impact

The current state of Big Data—the amount of information available to public transit agencies through online and connected services—“opens up new opportunities, providing information we never had before,” as Kimberly Slaughter, vice president, national transit/rail market sector leader, HNTB Corporation, said at the May 8 General Session, “Big Data’s Big Impact.” [More]

WMATA Named Grand Champion at 2018 Bus Roadeo

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) took the top spot this year and was crowned the Grand Champion at APTA’s 43rd Annual International Bus Roadeo, earning the highest combined team score for both operators and maintainers. [More]

It's All About the Ride: Panelists Discuss Strategies for Sustaining and Building Ridership

Bus agency leaders and a community and economic development executive discussed strategies for increasing and sustaining ridership through a variety of methods during the May 9 Closing General Session. [More]

Frontline Workers Call for Investment in Employees

Panelists at a May 7 session discussed the need for motivated employees in both public transit agencies and businesses—as seen by fellow workers on the shop floor—at a time when many skilled longtime workers are nearing retirement. [More]

Panel Reports on BRT Planning and Prioritization

“What is BRT? Whatever you want it to be. It’s different for each community,” Mark Huffer, project director, HNTB Corporation, said at the opening of the “BRT Planning and Prioritization” session that described proposals for Washington, DC, Seattle and Los Angeles. [More]

Customer Service Champion

John Ybarra, second from left, an employee of the Norwalk (CA) Transit System, took top honors in the Customer Service Challenge and was recognized at the Bus Roadeo Banquet. This competition judges professionalism, customer service skills and problem-solving skills among bus operators. [More]

Business Members Network at Breakfast

Business members had an opportunity to make connections at the May 7 Business Member Networking Breakfast, supported by the APTA Business Member Activity Fund. [More]

Buses from A to Z

Click here to see more photos from the APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference in Tampa, FL. [More]

CASE STUDY

RTA's Fuel Program Bearing Fruit

The Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) launched a campaign nearly six years ago to save the agency gas money—and now that campaign is paying off. [More]

AROUND THE INDUSTRY

APTA Teaches Transit Safety in Chile

APTA recently partnered with the Association of Latin American Metros and Subways (ALAMYS) to conduct a first of its kind Introduction to Transit Safety Course in Santiago, Chile, attended by 22 members from nine different countries in Central and South America. [More]

Brightline Extends Rail Service to Miami

As Passenger Transport went to press, Brightline, the nation’s only privately funded and operated intercity passenger rail system, was preparing to extend service to Miami on May 19. Since its opening in January, the system has operated between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. [More]

Rail Showcase Directory

In preparation for the 2018 APTA Rail Conference, June 10-13 in Denver, click here to see the directory of exhibitors at the Rail Products & Services Showcase. [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 as space permits. [More]

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