Passenger Transport Express

July 22, 2011

NEWS HEADLINES

APTA Nominating Committee Announces Slate

APTA's Nominating Committee, chaired by APTA Immediate Past Chair M. P. Carter, Memphis Area Transit Authority, released its slate of candidates for 2011-2012. Gary Thomas, president and executive director, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, was nominated as APTA chair, and Flora Castillo, board member, New Jersey Transit Corporation, was nominated as vice chair. Nathaniel P. Ford remains as secretary-treasurer for another year.

Details on the full slate of candidates and voting procedures will be included in the August 1 edition of Passenger Transport.

U.S. Chamber Provides Results of Latest Transportation Performance Index

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce released the latest Transportation Performance Index July 19. It found that the efficiency of transportation systems had spiked to the highest level since it began tracking these numbers, but this reflects more on the economic downturn and not that the systems have ample funding.

SAVE THE DATE

Have you registered for the APTA Annual Meeting and EXPO yet? You won't want to miss the Host Forum on Monday, October 3, titled "The Robust Recovery Underway in New Orleans," plus many other sessions that will make this a great opportunity to learn and share!

Please join us either September 30 or October 6 to volunteer for the St. Bernard Project as it tries to get people back into their homes that were devastated by Hurricane Katrina. APTA is organizing projects on these two days so you can get your hands dirty and help rebuild New Orleans.

IN THE MEDIA

Public transit systems' top priority is keeping passengers and their employees safe. This story follows the changes that New York City Transit Police have implemented since September 11 to keep New York's subway and buses safe.

Members of Congress know that the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority will get them to and from their offices and daily votes. The real question is who will be the first Presidential candidate to use public transit in Des Moines while campaigning now that the city is considering expanding routes?

Donate your car and ride the trolley for life. No, seriously, Mucia, Spain has implemented a program where you can donate your car to the city and receive a pass to ride the trolley for life, free of charge. This is one way to create loyal customers!