Passenger Transport Express - 06/20/2014 (Plain Text Version)NEWS HEADLINESAPTA Rail Conference Concludes in Montreal
The 2014 APTA Rail Conference
held in Montreal, QC, June 15-18, was a ringing success,
bringing together experts from across the industry to reflect on the
past, assess the present, and discuss the future of rail. APTA Chair Peter Varga and President & CEO Michael
Melaniphy kicked off the conference, which was attended by more than 1,220
people and co-hosted by the Agence métropolitaine de transport and the Société de transport de Montréal. The Products and Services Showcase at the conference featured more than 70 exhibitors. International Practicum on Innovative Transit Funding and Finance a Major Success
APTA just wrapped up its first-ever International Practicum on Innovative Transit Funding and Finance, held in Montreal, QC, June 12-13, in conjunction with the Canadian Urban Transit Association and the International Association of Public Transport. The practicum featured speakers and
attendees from public transit agencies and businesses in the U.S.,
Canada, United Kingdom, Spain, Sweden, and Japan in a program that
balanced policy sessions with best practices. Public Transit Systems Participate in Dump the Pump Day
As of today, a record total of 175 organizations participated in the 9th annual National Dump the Pump Day. 152 public transportation systems and 23 public and private organizations joined the effort. Sponsored by APTA in partnership with the Sierra Club and the Natural Resources Defense Council, the national public awareness day encourages people to save money by using public transit instead of driving. Senators Offer Highway Trust Fund and Mass Transit Account Funding Proposal
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) have jointly released a proposal for increasing both the federal gasoline and diesel taxes by 6 cents in each of the next two years for a total increase of 12 cents. Additionally, the proposal would index the gas tax to inflation, using the Consumer Price Index. Finally, to alleviate concerns on raising taxes, the additional revenue raised for the Highway Trust Fund would be offset in other areas. “APTA applauds Senators Bob Corker and Chris Murphy for proposing a long-term solution that would ensure the solvency of the Highway Trust Fund and provide the funding needed to preserve and maintain our existing surface transportation system," said APTA President & CEO Michael Melaniphy in a statement. [return to top] SAVE THE DATE
Early bird registration closes on June 27 for APTA's 2014 Sustainability and Public Transportation Workshop, August 3-5, in Boston. The workshop will focus on the unique multimodal connections in the
Boston region, sustainability and mobility plans for multi-regional
entities (including large institutions), and innovations in green design
and mobility. Sign up now! IN THE MEDIA
Public transit agencies urge you to Dump the Pump. With proper funding, America's infrastructure can be improved swiftly. |