Passenger Transport Express - 12/10/2010 (Plain Text Version)News HeadlinesHouse Passes Continuing Resolution, Sends to Senate
The House of Representatives on Dec. 8 passed a continuing resolution extending federal programs through Sept. 30, 2011, including surface transportation programs, at fiscal year 2010 levels. The Senate is expected to amend the bill to become an omnibus appropriations bill. Mica Confirmed as Chairman of Transportation & Infrastructure Committee
As expected, Rep. John Mica (R-FL) was elected the new chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Dec. 8, by a vote of the House Republican Conference--in effect confirming his transition from ranking member to chairman. In his new role, Chairman Mica will lead the committee in writing the long-awaited six-year surface transportation authorization bill. LaHood Shifts OH, WI High-Speed Rail Funds to 12 Other States
Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced on Dec. 9 that $1.195 billion in high-speed rail funds originally designated for Wisconsin and Ohio will be redirected to 12 other states. California will receive up to $624 million, Florida up to $342.3 million, and Washington State up to $161.5 million. The funds were originally slated for Wisconsin’s Milwaukee-Madison corridor ($810 million) and for Ohio’s Cincinnati-Columbus-Cleveland “3C” route ($385 million). U.S. Named as 2012 UIC High-Speed Rail Conference Site; APTA to Host
The Washington, DC, area has been chosen as the site of the next International Union of Railways (UIC) World Congress on High-Speed Rail, to be held in September 2012, with APTA as the conference host. UIC Director General Jean-Pierre Loubinoux announced the news on Dec. 8 at the 2010 World Congress on High-Speed Rail in Beijing, where APTA President William Millar was among the speakers. [return to top] New, Safer Rail Car Based on Input from APTA, Others
Metrolink on Dec. 13 will usher into service its new, safer commuter rail vehicles, obtained using a new procurement specification developed in partnership with APTA. The stainless steel cars are designed using Crash Energy Management (CEM) principles and enhanced structural strength of vehicle car bodies and cabs. [return to top] Americans Save More Than $9,500 by Using Public Transit
Save the DateJust One Week Left To Enter Call Center Challenge
Friday, Dec. 17, 2010 is the entry deadline for the annual APTA Call Center Challenge, to be held at the 2011 Marketing & Communications Workshop in San Diego, CA, on March 1. Don't miss the opportunity to show off the skills of your public transit system's front line of customer service: your call center staff. [return to top] In the Media
Minnesota Public Radio included a look back on the career of outgoing T&I Committee Chairman James Oberstar (D-MN). |