The need to address head-on the challenges facing mobility at a time of new modes and changing technologies brought together more than 240 public transit, transportation, business and government professionals July 12 in Washington, DC, to participate in APTA’s summit, “The Future of Mobility—From Transit Authority to Mobility Integrator.” [More]

FTA's CIG Grant Priorities Raise Concerns for Industry

A recently released letter from FTA highlighting its priorities for administering the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program has raised concerns for the public transportation industry and some members of Congress. [More]

FTA Releases Two Safety Regulations

On July 18, FTA issued two final regulations to strengthen the safety of public transportation systems: the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan rule and the Safety Certification Training Program rule. [More]

New Name in Nashville: 'WeGo Public Transit'

The public transit agency in Nashville, TN, has changed its name to WeGo Public Transit from Nashville Metropolitan Transit Agency, with newly branded buses entering service this summer. [More]

COMMENTARY

What to Do in a Turbulent, Uncertain World

BY DR. BRENDON HEMILY

Public transit systems have always faced a challenging task: serving multiple objectives such as providing basic mobility for the ­disadvantaged while simultaneously providing an attractive, sustainable alternative to single-occupancy vehicles. [More]

CASE STUDY

Enhancing Access to Public Transportation in Central Iowa

The Des Moines Area (IA) Regional Transit Authority frequently hears from riders, community leaders and businesses—through surveys and submitted comments—about the desire, and need, for expanded transportation options in the Greater Des Moines region. These suggestions typically include offering service in locations not currently served by public transit and providing service earlier in the day and later in the evening. [More]

APTA NEWS

FUBU Founder and 'Shark Tank' Investor to Address APTA Annual Meeting

Daymond John, the founder, president, and CEO of FUBU, who appears as an investor in the ABC reality television series Shark Tank, will be the keynote speaker Sept. 24 at APTA’s Annual Meeting in Nashville, TN. [More]

Register for State Partnerships Conference in Minneapolis

Register by Aug. 7 to participate in the 2018 State Public Transportation Partnerships Conference, the premier forum to discuss the important role that states play in public transportation. [More]

AROUND THE INDUSTRY

$5 Million Funding for Tribal Transit Projects

FTA has announced $5 million in competitive grant funding for Fiscal Year 2018 to support public transit for Native American tribes and Alaska Native villagers in rural areas, with proposals due by Sept. 10. [More]

FTA Updates Award Circular

FTA posted several page changes to its Award Management Requirements Circular (FTA Circular 5010.1E) on July 16, replacing the previous version of the circular that became effective July 21, 2017. [More]

Big Blue Bus, Lyft Transform Dial-A-Ride Program

Older adults and persons with disabilities in Santa Monica, CA, are seeing improved door-to-door and curb-to-curb service thanks to a partnership between Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus and Lyft. [More]

CDTA Completes Intersection Improvement

At an event July 12, the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) in Albany, NY, joined several of its partners to mark the completion of the Lark and Washington Transit Improvement Project, which covers a three-block area including the new Lark/Library BusPlus BRT station outside the Albany Public Library. [More]

BYD Joins Partnership for Electric Bus Leasing

BYD Motors Inc. has entered into a joint venture with Generate Capital Inc., a financier, owner and operator of distributed infrastructure, to launch the first electric bus leasing program in the U.S., funded with $200 million. [More]

Dallas Introduces Proterra Buses for
'D-Link' Route

SEPTA Welcomes First New Siemens Locomotive

Philadelphia’s Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) welcomed its newest Regional Rail locomotive—one of 15 ACS-64 electric vehicles from ­Siemens—at an event July 11 attended by Siemens representatives, elected officials and other dignitaries. [More]

Harvard Hosts Inaugural 'Collegiate Bus Roadeo'

Fifteen bus operators for collegiate routes on campuses throughout New England recently gathered at the Harvard Business School campus for the inaugural Harvard University Collegiate Bus Roadeo, modeled after APTA’s annual International Bus Roadeo. [More]

Keolis Graduates New MBTA Assistant Conductors

Keolis Commuter Services in Boston recently graduated a class of 16 new assistant conductors for Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) commuter rail, increasing the roster of conductors to its highest level ever. [More]

Foothill Transit Orders North America's First Electric Double-Deck Buses

Foothill Transit in West Covina, CA, has placed an order for two electric-powered double-deck buses from Alexander Dennis, which will be the first such vehicles in North America when they arrive next year. [More]

Reno's RTC Honors Founding Executive Director

Trinity Metro, Habitat for Humanity Partner for TEXRail-Sponsored Home

SEPTA Unveils New Safety Education Bus

Philadelphia’s Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) recently unveiled its new Safety Education Bus: a passenger bus once slated for retirement from SEPTA’s fleet, overhauled by employees at the agency’s Berridge Shop in just six months and now used exclusively for internal and external safety awareness events. [More]

Agencies Showcase Proterra All-Electric Bus

The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET), Columbia, SC, and the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART), Tampa, FL, recently hosted events showcasing electric buses by Proterra. [More]

Amtran Retires 'New Look' Fleet

Altoona (PA) Metro Transit recently retired the last of its fleet of GMC “New Look” buses, which operated in revenue service for up to 50 years [More]

PATCO Completes Refurbishment of Entire Commuter Rail Fleet

The Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO), which operates 14.2 miles of commuter rail between Philadelphia and Camden County, NJ, recently sent off the last of its legacy railcars to be refurbished at Alstom’s facility in Hornell, NY. [More]