Obama Holds Congress Responsible for Metro Challenges
President Barack Obama today said that challenges facing the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) are the result of Congress's failure to invest in infrastructure. WMATA had announced earlier in the day its long-term plan to repair longstanding safety issues. (Hear WAMU radio's news story about WMATA's announcement here.)
"The DC Metro historically has been a great strength of this region," he said in response to a question at a White House press conference. "But it is just one more example of the underinvestments that have been made."
The President went on to say that these types of infrastructure problems are being seen in communities across the country. He said Congress has been resistant to addressing the issue for years. Pointing to the benefits of the Hoover Dam, the Golden Gate Bridge and Washington's Metro, Obama said that investing in America's infrastructure "is a huge boost to the economy and it lasts a long time."
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FTA Announces Funding for Mobility on Demand
FTA announced this week
the availability of $8 million to fund innovative approaches to
integrated mobility within a public transportation
framework.
The Mobility on Demand (MOD) Sandbox Demonstration Program will support research and technology projects that improve public transportation efficiency and effectiveness.
The program is part of a larger MOD research effort at FTA and DOT that supports public transit agencies and communities as they navigate the evolving landscape of personal mobility. According to FTA, "Mobility on Demand projects and services help make transportation systems more integrated, automated and accessible, while offering better connections to both existing and future infrastructure,
and public and private transportation options."
Eligible projects could include smartphone apps, innovative fare payment and finance mechanisms, connected vehicles and infrastructure, shared-use and on-demand services, and a broad range of other mobility solutions. Existing
FTA grantees such as public transportation agencies, state departments of transportation and Native tribes are eligible to receive funds under the program. Applications are due by July 5, 2016. For more information, including a detailed explanation of the selection criteria, visit Grants.gov.
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DOT Sponsors Virtual Town Hall Meeting
U.S. DOT Secretary
Anthony Foxx has asked APTA to participate in his National Virtual Town Hall meeting on
May 11 at 2:30 p.m. EST. This Web-based event, which is
open to all APTA members, will highlight the integral role that transportation,
particularly public transportation, plays in connecting people to opportunities.
To RSVP, DOT asked that you fill out this form. Questions can be submitted using the hashtag #DOTConnections.
APTA To Participate in Infrastructure Week
APTA will have a high profile during National Infrastructure Week, May 16-23. A toolkit has been created to help APTA members promote the week's message in their local communities. It is available on the APTA website here.
We also will host a national media call-in on May 19 with public transit system CEOs from around the country to spotlight their infrastructure needs. Watch for more news about activities for APTA members as the week approaches.
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SAVE THE DATE |
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June 19-22: Rail Conference
Sheraton Grand Phoenix — Phoenix, AZ
To register for the Rail Conference, click here.
Information about the International Rail Rodeo can be viewed here.
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IN THE MEDIA |
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Public Transportation a Health Benefit for Local Communities
KIMA-TV.com (Yakima, WA): April 30
Driverless Cars, Pairing Ride-Hailing with Public Transit
St. Louis Post-Dispatch; May 1
NFC Forum and GCF Advance Device Interoperability for Public Transportation Systems
Business Wire; May 3
Could a Subway Station Filled Entirely with Cat Photos Improve Your Commute?
Washington Post; May 4
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NOTABLE & QUOTABLE |
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"We believe in change and progress because that's what has made public transportation such a vital part of America's economy and culture. It's why I'm so optimistic about our future — as an industry and an association."
Richard A. White
APTA Acting President & CEO
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