NEWS HEADLINES

Transit Ballot Initiatives Pass in Ohio and Michigan

Voters approved six transportation-related ballot measures in elections May 3. Five of the measures, all in Michigan, were property tax renewals or increases, while the other, in Stark County, OH, was a sales tax renewal. [More]

As Gas Prices Increase, So Does Transit Use; Nationwide, Agencies Weigh In
BY SUSAN BERLIN, Senior Editor

Many U.S. public transportation agencies are watching their ridership increase as gasoline prices skyrocket—but no two systems are seeing exactly the same situation. With experts predicting a continued rise in gas prices, in future issues Passenger Transport will track how this affects ridership. Here are a few recent examples from across the nation. [More]

House Hearing Examines Transit Security

On May 4, the House Committee on Homeland Security held a hearing titled “Securing Our Nation’s Mass Transit Systems Against a Terrorist Attack.” As noted by Chairman Peter T. King (R-NY), “a successful attack on a train or bus in one of our cities would not only injure or kill innocent passengers, but would also have devastating economic implications across the country. We need to examine and address the vulnerabilities that exist.” [More]

U.S. High-Speed Rail Practicum: Experts Share Views at International Forum
BY SHARON SAMBER, Special to Passenger Transport

What is the future of high-speed rail?

The theme shared May 3 at the International Practicum on High-Speed Rail in Baltimore, sponsored by APTA and the International Union of Railways (UIC), was the need to be realistic and focus on an incremental approach to bringing high-speed rail to all regions of the U.S. [More]

Mayors’ Survey: Target Infrastructure Funds

A 176-city survey released May 3 by the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) calls on the federal government to give priority to metropolitan areas—home to two-thirds of U.S. residents—regarding transportation infrastructure investment. [More]

Rogoff Presents FFGA Funds for Twin Cities

Peter M. Rogoff, administrator of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), visited St. Paul, MN, April 26 to present a ceremonial check for half the cost of Metro Transit’s Central Corridor Light Rail Transit line between Minneapolis and St. Paul. The Full Funding Grant Agreement between FTA and the Metropolitan Council contractually commits the federal government to paying $478 million, or half the total cost of $957 million. [More]

COTA Opens Mobility Services Facility

The Central Ohio Transit Authority in Columbus held grand opening ceremonies April 27 for its Mobility Services Facility, attended by speakers including Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman and APTA President William Millar. [More]

Des Moines’ Miller Takes St. Petersburg Job

Brad Miller, the first general manager of the nearly five-year-old Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) in Des Moines, IA, is joining the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority in St. Petersburg, FL, as its new chief executive officer, effective July 5. [More]

AECOM Names Dionisio Chairman of Board

AECOM has named John M. Dionisio chairman of its board of directors, effective Oct. 1. He joined the company in 1971 and has served as president and chief executive officer since 2005; he will also continue to serve as CEO. [More]

How Did Transit Agencies Celebrate Earth Day?

In honor of Earth Day on April 22, public transportation agencies throughout the U.S. hosted celebrations and provided incentives for their communities to go green by using transit. Here are a few examples of APTA members spreading the word about the green benefits of public transit. [More]

St. Louis Metro Donates Passes to Tornado Victims

In the aftermath of tornadoes in mid-April that buried personal vehicles under debris, Metro in St. Louis has donated 1,000 transit passes to St. Louis County for distribution to residents who do not have other means of transportation. [More]

Rep. Walsh Visits MCI Plant

Motor Coach Industries (MCI) recently welcomed Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL) to its Schaumburg, IL, corporate offices. [More]

RTD Gives a Shout Out to Its Peeps

Who knew that Peeps—the iconic little marshmallow chicks and bunnies that appear in all colors around Easter—ride public transportation? [More]

APTA NEWS

APTA Adopts New Sustainability Guidelines for Public Transit Operations

In the spirit of Earth Day, APTA released its most recently adopted standard: the Transit Sustainability Guidelines, derived from best practices at home and around the world. [More]

Trottenberg Talks Candidly at Transportation Tuesday
BY SUSAN R. PAISNER, Senior Managing Editor

“Right now, we at DOT face in transportation one of the most challenging times ever—political and fiscal. But we remain optimistic we’re going to get something done.” With that, DOT Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy Polly Trottenberg began her presentation to a packed room at the May 3 edition of APTA’s Transportation Tuesdays series. [More]

Leadership APTA Seeks Applications for 15th Class

The Leadership APTA program invites interested individuals to apply by June 27 to become part of the Leadership APTA Class of 2012—a prestigious group of 25 individuals chosen from a competitive pool of APTA member applicants. [More]

Submit AdWheel Entries by June 3

“The Spotlight Could Be Yours” at the 2011 AdWheel Awards competition. APTA is accepting nominations through June 3 for the annual award program, which acknowledges the creative excellence of member public transportation systems and business members in advertising, communications, and marketing. [More]

Dump the Pump Day on June 16!

APTA will hold its sixth annual National Dump the Pump Day on Thursday, June 16—a great opportunity to promote public transit. [More]

COMMENTARY

‘Green’ Community Aids Prove Their Political Mettle
BY NEAL PEIRCE

Does the rightward swing in national politics spell curtains for the Obama administration’s push for green agendas and sustainability in America’s cities and neighborhoods?

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan argues no—and cites congressional action to prove his case.

The hard-fought budget compromise for 2011 protects, for example, two stellar programs, both of which have triggered hundreds of competitive applications. [More]

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

Passenger Transport announces the following hirings and promotions in public transportation agencies and suppliers. Items appear in People on the Move in the order in which they are received. [More]