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Metrolink commuter rail seeks a chief executive officer. [More]
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Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority seeks a chief executive officer. [More]
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VIA Metropolitan Transit is looking for a manager of fleet and facilities, administration, budget and information support services. [More]
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Sound Transit Moves Closer to Lynnwood Link FFGA
A federal Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) for Sound Transit's Lynnwood Link extension light rail project in the Seattle area is one step closer to signature as FTA sent FFGA documents to its congressional committees of jurisdiction Nov. 19. FTA has determined that the Lynnwood project meets all statutory and readiness requirements for federal Capital Investment Grant (CIG) funding.
The congressional committees now have a statutorily required 30-day review period before the FFGA can move forward. FTA has already allocated $200 million in CIG funding for the Sound Transit project, $100 million each for FY 2017 and FY 2018, as part of a total $1.17 billion proposed FFGA.
Leadership Changes for Congressional Committees
The Nov. 6 midterm elections saw the Democratic Party win control of the House of Representatives, with the Republican Party expanding its majority in the Senate. As a result, a number of congressional committees of particular interest to APTA members will be under new leadership.
APTA Government Affairs staff expect that the following elected officials will assume leadership of these committees; however, decisions will not be finalized until December or January:
Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY) is likely to chair the House Committee on Appropriations; Rep. John Yarmuth (D-KY), Budget; Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Energy and Commerce; Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Transportation and Infrastructure; and Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA), Ways and Means.
In the Senate, Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) is likely to chair the Committee on Appropriations; Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID), Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY), Budget; Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), Environment and Public Works; and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Finance.
APTA looks forward to continuing its close working relationship with these and other committees and their new leaders.
Brightline Enters Partnership with Virgin
Brightline, the only privately owned and operated U.S. intercity passenger rail service, has entered into a strategic partnership and trademark licensing agreement with the Virgin Group to establish a new brand, "Virgin Trains USA."
As part of the partnership, an affiliate of Virgin Group has agreed to make a minority investment in Brightline. The current Brightline management team will oversee daily operations, engineering, business development and strategy. Brightline will rename itself Virgin Trains USA this month and transition to Virgin Trains USA branding in 2019.
Virgin Group has experience operating in the United Kingdom rail sector, including its ongoing investment in Virgin Trains, a high-speed intercity passenger rail system it has run for 21 years.
FTA Webinar on Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Final Rule
FTA will host a webinar Dec. 5, 2-3:30 p.m Eastern time, to provide technical assistance to public transit agencies on the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Final Rule. The rule requires certain rail and bus operators to develop safety plans to better manage their safety risk using Safety Management Systems. Register here for the "Guidance on Using System Safety Program Plans to Develop an Agency Safety Plan" webinar.
Public Transit Users Can Save $829 a Month Over Driving
APTA's November Transit Savings Report shows that an individual in a two-person household can save an average of $829 a month or $9,946 a year by taking public transportation and living with one less car. Click here to see the savings in the top 20 cities with the highest public transit ridership.
Public Transit Reaches Out for Thanksgiving
Public transit agencies have continued the annual "Stuff the Bus" tradition of collecting donations ahead of Thanksgiving. Here are just some of them:
San Joaquin Regional Transit District, Stockton, CA, brought in more than 12 tons of food, also collecting 150 coats. The Alexandria (VA) Transit Company posted a community-painted DASH bus at area locations to collect food and winter clothes. The Missoula (MT) Urban Transportation District hosted a food drive outside the Nov. 17 college football game between the University of Montana Grizzlies and the Montana State Bobcats. The Riverside (CA) Transit Agency partnered with Operation SafeHouse to stuff two 40-foot buses with food, linens, toiletries and other items. DART First State held a food drive throughout Delaware for six days in early November. CityLink in Peoria, IL, is conducting a drive through Dec. 3 to benefit the food pantry at the Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service.
APTA wishes all its members and the entire public transit community a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
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