NEWS HEADLINES

DOT: $1.58 Billion Awarded for 27 New Starts Projects

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced $1.58 billion for 27 transit projects nationwide in 2011 through the Federal Transit Administration’s New Starts and Small Starts program. [More]

New FTA Funds Now Available; Seeking Sustainability, Livability Proposals

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced June 29 the availability of $101.4 million in competitive federal funding for transit providers to propose innovative projects that create “green” jobs, promote the use of clean fuels, and cut the nation’s dependence on oil. [More]

 

DCTA’s ‘A-train’ Roars into Denton County, TX

The Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) in Lewisville, TX, initiated service on the A-train, its 21-mile regional rail line, at 5 a.m. June 20 and continued fare-free operation through June 24. DCTA also greeted opening-day riders by giving them breakfast sandwiches. [More]

GCRTA Breaks Ground at Buckeye-Woodhill Station

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) broke ground June 15 for the updated Buckeye-Woodhill Rapid Transit Station on the Blue and Green lines. Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson joined GCRTA Chief Executive Officer and General Manager Joseph Calabrese, as well as representatives of the agency’s board of trustees and Cleveland City Council, at the event. [More]

NLC Launches Tour on Sustainable Infrastructure

The National League of Cities has announced the July 14 launch of “Building Cities, Building Futures”—a national tour centering on sustainable infrastructure as a catalyst for economic growth—in Houston, with subsequent stops in Los Angeles; Charlotte, NC; and Chicago. [More]

TIC Meets in St. Louis, Examines Electoral Success

The Center for Transportation Excellence hosted the 2011 Transit Initiatives and Communities (TIC) Conference June 20-22 in St. Louis, hosted by St. Louis Metro. [More]

Presutti Named New GM in Des Moines, IA

The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) in Des Moines, IA, has named Elizabeth Presutti its general manager, effective July 1. She succeeds Brad Miller, who is joining the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority in St. Petersburg, FL, as its chief executive officer. [More]

Bloomington-Normal, IL, Hires Johnson as GM

The Bloomington-Normal Public Transit System in Bloomington, IL, has hired Andrew Johnson, deputy director of Waukesha Metro Transit in Waukesha, WI, as its new general manager. He joins the agency Aug. 8. [More]

NATIONAL DUMP THE PUMP DAY 2011

Transit Agencies: It’s Time to Dump the Pump

More than 130 U.S. public transportation agencies, state transit associations, and vendors conducted activities June 16 in honor of the sixth annual National Dump the Pump Day. The day is an opportunity for the public to discover the many benefits—environmental, economic, and energy-saving—of using transit instead of driving. [More]

APTA NEWS

Register for Transit Board Members Seminar, July 23-26 in Jersey City

Public transportation board members and their staff will benefit from the specialized instruction offered at the 2011 APTA Transit Board Members Seminar & Board Support Employee Development Workshop, July 23-26 at the Hyatt Regency Jersey City in Jersey City, NJ. [More]

FTA’s McMillan to Address Workshop on Sustainability and Public Transit

Therese McMillan, deputy administrator of the Federal Transit Administration, will present the keynote address Aug. 1 at APTA’s 2011 Sustainability & Public Transportation Workshop, July 31-Aug. 2 at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza. “The Value of Sustainability: Increasing Quality, Efficiency and Community Benefits in an Ever-Changing Environment” is the theme of the workshop. [More]

TCRP Seeks Ambassadors

The Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) is seeking new ambassadors for the 2011-2013 term. Ambassadors will travel to various areas of the country to enhance the understanding, acceptance, and use of TCRP-sponsored research products. [More]

‘Generation Green on Board’

APTA welcomed 50 high school juniors and seniors from across the U.S. as they participated in its second Youth Summit, June 26-30 in Washington, DC. [More]

COMMENTARY

America Stumbles Forward
BY JOEL EPSTEIN

Dear America:

Don’t get me wrong. I’m almost as delighted as Hizonner himself that LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is the new president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. What better perch from which to pitch the country, Congress and the president on the merits of America Fast Forward? [More]

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

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]