News Headlines

On Sept. 15, voters in Racine County, WI, overwhelmingly approved a pro-transit advisory measure. Nearly three-fourths of all voters (74 percent) agreed that the state constitution should be amended to prevent state transportation funds from being used for non-transportation purposes.

This victory is the 21st win for public transportation in 2010, out of 25 measures--a success rate of 84 percent.

APTA President William Millar met with Transportation Security Administrator John Pistole on Sept. 15 to discuss the role public transportation plays in national security and the need for increased federal investment to ensure the security of public transit riders.

Millar told Pistole that DHS grant funding has fallen far short of real needs, citing the April 2010 APTA survey of public transportation systems' security requirements. He also noted that current funding levels do not meet the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act, and he asked that TSA push Congress to appropriate the full funding levels authorized by the legislation.

Vice President Joe Biden on Sept. 17 released a report of the “100 Recovery Act Projects That are Changing America," in which several public transportation projects were highlighted. These include: Dallas Area Rapid Transit's 14‐mile Orange Line rail construction project; rehabilitation of the Atlantic Avenue Viaduct in Brooklyn; creation of a new public transit center connected to the “Euclid Corridor” in Cleveland; redevelopment of Denver Union Station as a multimodal transportation center; and renovation of two 80‐year‐old subway stations at Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority in Philadelphia.

Telling Our Story: Countdown to Capitol Hill

Just a few days remain until APTA's Telling Our Story to Congress Day, Sept. 22, when APTA will submit the petitions to members of Congress. The petitions have been signed by thousands of Americans urging swift passage of a long-term surface transportation authorization bill.

The more signatures, the better. So please sign the petition if you haven't already, and pass the link to your friends, family members, and business associates.

APTA Annual Meeting: FRA's Rae to Host National Rail Plan Session

Just announced: Karen Rae, deputy administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, will host a session at the 2010 APTA Annual Meeting, Sunday, Oct. 3, 5:00-6:00 p.m., to discuss the forthcoming National Rail Plan.

There is still time to register for the Annual Meeting, so act now.

In the Media

Wired Magazine featured an article about Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority's regenerative rail braking systems, which return power to the public grid.

On The Today Show, host Al Roker operated a New Orleans streetcar. New Orleans is the site of the 2011 APTA Annual Meeting and EXPO.