Passenger Transport Express - 10/31/2014 (Plain Text Version)

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NEWS HEADLINES

Public Transit on Ballots Across the Country

Many public transportation-related measures are on ballots Nov. 4. Voters can go to the polls and support public transit in their communities. The Center for Transportation Excellence, which APTA funds, will host a webinar on Nov. 10 to discuss the results. Many APTA members are offering free rides on Election Day.

Transportation Tuesday Spotlights P3s

Two members of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee spoke about its recent report on public private partnerships (P3s) at APTA's offices in Washington, DC, on Oct. 28. "P3s are not a panacea," said David Connolly, professional staff member on the committee (at right). "We're still going to need robust federal investment." The report recommended bolstered federal oversight of P3 projects, explained Ward McCarragher, minority chief counsel on the committee. The event was part of "Transportation Tuesdays," a series of informational sessions held at APTA.    [return to top]

Vote on Century's Top Safety Innovations!

APTA is celebrating the centennial anniversary (1914-2014) of its public transit safety awards with a timeline of safety innovations. Members are invited to vote for the innovation that has had the most lasting impact on safety. Review the submissions and vote! Top vote-getters will be highlighted in an upcoming commemorative issue of Passenger Transport. [return to top]

October Brings Big Savings for Public Transit Riders

APTA's October Transit Savings Report found that riding on public transit instead of driving cars saves individuals $818 monthly and $9,811 annually, on average. These savings are based on the cost of commuting by public transportation compared to the cost of owning and driving a vehicle, and includes the Oct. 23, 2014 average national gas price. [return to top]

NTSB Concludes Examiniation of Derailments

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concluded that a trail derailment in New York City in 2013 resulted from a driver's sleep apnea. The NTSB, which also examined the causes of several other incidents, said that positive train control could be valuable in improving safety procedures. [return to top]

SAVE THE DATE

Many APTA members will gather in Washington, DC, Dec. 3-6 for committee meetings. At a meeting of the Legislative Committee, they will discuss APTA's 2015 strategy to find a dedicated funding source that meets the public transportation industry's needs. [return to top]

IN THE MEDIA

Construction of America's high-performance rail is progressing.

Making room for public transit improves streets for everyone.

Amtrak's ridership and ticket revenues continue to increase. [return to top]