Passenger Transport Express - 06/06/2014 (Plain Text Version)NEWS HEADLINESCongress Discussing Surface Transportation Reauthorization
House Republicans have said they intend to bring an eight-month surface transportation extension and $12 billion Highway Trust Fund bailout to the floor by the end of June. The House Leadership proposal aims to use savings from reform of the U.S. Postal Service to offset the bailout. Senate Finance Committee members held a closed meeting on June 4 to discuss funding offsets for the upcoming Highway Trust Fund bailout and surface transportation reauthorization bill. Congress must address the Highway Trust Fund revenue shortfall before the end of July or federal aid highway reimbursements to states will need to be slowed in order to maintain fiscal stability. FTA Makes $100 Million Available to Expand Bus Services
FTA made available approximately $100 million in competitive grant funds through its Ladders of Opportunity Initiative on June 4. The funds may be used to modernize and expand public transit bus services that connect disadvantaged and low-income individuals, veterans, older Americans, youths, and other riders with workforce training, employment centers, and health care. [return to top] Senate Appropriations Subcommittee Passes THUD Bill
The Senate Committee on Appropriations
Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related
Agencies (THUD) passed
its version of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 THUD Appropriations bill on June 3. [return to top] Senate Commerce Holds Reauthorization Hearing
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation's Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security held a hearing on surface transportation on June 4. FTA and FHWA Issue NPRM on Planning
FTA and FHWA issued policy guidance on implementing the provision of MAP-21 that requires every Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) that serves a transportation management area of over 200,000 residents to have representation by public transportation providers. The purpose of the guidance is to assist MPOs and public transportation providers in complying with new requirements. [return to top]SAVE THE DATE
Early bird registration is now open for APTA's Transit Board Members & Board Support Seminar July 19-22 in Cleveland. This meeting, open only to board members and commissioners of APTA member transit systems and clerks of the board, offers sessions in such areas as the board member's role in workforce development, strategic planning, succession planning, working with the chief executive, safety oversight, advocacy, labor relations, and more. Sign up now! [return to top] IN THE MEDIA
The Transportation Research Board examines innovative operating strategies for paratransit services. |