Passenger Transport Express - 06/19/2015 (Plain Text Version)NEWS HEADLINESBipartisan Passenger Rail Bill Introduced in Senate
Late June 18, Sens. Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced a bipartisan bill to authorize $9 billion for federal passenger rail programs over the next four years. The proposal, S. 1626—the Railroad Reform, Enhancement and Efficiency Act—provides $1.8 billion for Amtrak and state passenger rail grants over the levels included in recent House-passed legislation. Sponsors say it could go to the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee for a vote as early as next week. See a summary here and the full text here. Both Congressional Chambers Hold Hearings on HTF
Two committees of Congress—one in the House and one in the Senate—held hearings this week to explore ways to identify potential sources of additional revenue for the HTF, signaling that Congress is focusing on the critical issue of investing in surface transportation. CBO: HTF Shortfall Could Mean Reduced Payments by September
DOT may need to delay payments from the HTF to states before the end of Fiscal Year 2015 if it is to keep the fund solvent, said Joseph Kile, assistant director for microeconomic studies, Congressional Budget Office (CBO), in testimony June 18 before the Senate Finance Committee. Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of ADA!
In honor of the 25th anniversary of ADA on July 26, APTA has prepared resources that will help its members commemorate this historic occasion with public events, communications initiatives and other activities. [return to top] FTA Completes Safety Inspection at WMATA
FTA reported finding serious safety lapses in Metrorail's Rail Operations Control Center during its inspection of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), conducted in the aftermath of a January smoke incident in a tunnel that led to the death of one passenger. FTA conducted the SMI as part of its new safety authority established by MAP-21 in 2012. The inspection evaluated WMATA’s operations and maintenance programs, safety management capabilities and organizational structures to assess compliance with its own procedures and rules, existing federal regulations and FTA Safety Advisories to ensure safety for its passengers, employees and system infrastructure. The SMI report includes 54 safety findings, 44 for Metrorail and 10 for Metrobus. A statement released by WMATA said: "We welcome this report as a road map for continuous safety improvements at Metro and we especially appreciate the recognition of the many actions that we have taken to date to provide a foundation for our future work. We will strengthen our operations, customer service and safety culture through training, staffing and ensuring compliance of safety policies and procedures. And with the understanding of our customers, we will address the need for a better balance between service and track outages to upgrade the system. We remain committed to creating an even safer system." FTA Seeks Comments on Buy America Guidance
FTA is asking for comments through Aug. 17 on proposed guidance, in the form of a handbook, on complying with its Buy America pre-award and post-delivery audit requirements for rolling stock procurement. The guidance, placed in the docket and on the FTA website, is intended for use by recipients of federal funding, auditors, manufacturers and suppliers. [return to top] SAVE THE DATE
Sustainability measures can make public transportation increasingly efficient, economically sound and socially responsible. Learn how at the 2015 APTA Sustainability & Public Transportation Workshop, Aug. 2-4 in Portland, OR. Member registration fees increase June 26, so register now! IN THE MEDIA
Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter is promoting public transportation as the way to get around during an event immediately preceding the Sept. 26-27 visit of Pope Francis. According to the mayor, these combined events will be the largest in the city's history. |