Detroit Receives Federal Funding for Streetcars, BRT

At ceremonies Jan. 18 in Detroit, DOT Secretary Ray LaHood announced that the M-1 Rail project can proceed immediately using a $25 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Program grant previously awarded for public transit in the city. The planned 3.3-mile streetcar line is designed to revitalize Detroit’s historic Woodward Avenue corridor. [More]

Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy

This year, public transportation agencies throughout the U.S. honored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. either on his actual birthday, Jan. 15, or the holiday commemorating his birthday, Jan. 21. Here are a few examples. [More]

Meeting the New T&I Chair

APTA President Michael Melaniphy recently met with the new chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA). [More]

Valley Metro Breaks Ground for Light Rail Extension

Valley Metro kicked off construction for its Northwest Phoenix light rail extension at a public event Jan. 12 at the corner of 19th Avenue and Dunlap in Phoenix. Construction began last year at the other end of the 3.2-mile extension, in central Mesa, AZ. Service is scheduled to begin in late 2015 or early 2016. [More]

FTA Awards $7 Million in Workforce Development Grants; APTA Partners with Rutgers on ‘Virtual Career Network’

On Jan. 11, DOT Secretary Ray LaHood awarded $7 million in FTA Innovative Transit Workforce Development Program grants for 17 projects in 11 states and the District of Columbia. APTA member organizations will administer 10 of the programs receiving funds. [More]

APTA Participates in TRB Meeting

APTA members and officials took part in the Transportation Research Board’s (TRB) recent 92nd Annual Meeting in Washington, DC. [More]

Public Transit Professionals Honored for Safety Efforts

The chief executive officers of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and the consulting and engineering firm CDM Smith are among the National Safety Council’s 2013 list of “CEOs Who ‘Get It.’” In a statement, the council said these business leaders demonstrate world-class safety awareness and understand the business importance of creating a culture of safety. [More]

Bongiorno Joins ‘PT’ Staff

Deborah Bongiorno has joined APTA as the senior managing editor of Passenger Transport. [More]

London’s Tube Celebrates 150th Anniversary

The oldest subway operation in the world—the London Underground (the Tube)—marked the 150th anniversary of its operation on Jan. 9. [More]

Grand Central Terminal Celebrates Centennial

In recognition of the 100th birthday of one of the country’s most iconic transportation hubs—New York City’s Grand Central Terminal—on Feb. 1, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and MTA Metro-North Railroad are celebrating with a year-long party. Kicking off the year’s activities are a rededication ceremony and the opening of “Grand by Design,” an exhibit that chronicles the station’s colorful history. [More]

APTA MEMBER PROFILE

Meet Rick Ramacier!

This is the latest in an ongoing series of columns showcasing APTA members. The subject of this profile is Rick Ramacier, general manager, Central Contra Costa Transit Authority (County Connection), Concord, CA, and chair, APTA Access Committee. [More]

MEET THE APTA STAFF

Meet Susan Berlin!

This is the latest in an ongoing series of columns showcasing members of the APTA staff. The subject of this profile is Susan Berlin, senior editor, Passenger Transport, Communications and Marketing Department. [More]

APTA NEWS

Primmer to Chair NAPTA

The National Alliance of Public Transportation Advocates (NAPTA) has named Marnie O’Brien Primmer its chair. [More]

Capitol Steps to Perform

Again this year, APTA welcomes the musical political satire of the Capitol Steps to the APTA Legislative Conference in Washington, providing entertainment during the March 11 luncheon. [More]

AROUND THE INDUSTRY

BFT to Help Develop Electric Remanufactured Bus

 Ben Franklin Transit (BFT) in Richland, WA, has entered into a demonstration program with Complete Coach Works (CCW) to help develop an all-electric, remanufactured public transit bus capable of operating for more than 100 miles without recharging. A CALSTART grant funds this effort. [More]

MVTA, City of Rosemount Celebrate Station Grand Opening

The Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) in Burnsville, MN, and the city of Rosemount, MN, recently held formal opening ceremonies for the Rosemount Transit Station [More]

HART Reopens Yukon Transfer Center Following Renovation

The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) in Tampa, FL, recently marked the reopening of the Yukon Transfer Center following an extensive renovation project. The facility—the oldest HART transfer center, originally opening in 1983—underwent a full upgrade, along with an expansion including additional restrooms and more bus bays. [More]

GO Transit’s Oshawa Bus Facility Centralizes Service in Durham Region

 GO Transit in Toronto recently opened its new Oshawa Bus Services Facility. The $52 million (Cdn.), 160,000-square-foot facility will centralize service and reduce operating costs in the Durham Region of Ontario by eliminating the need for buses to travel to Steeprock or Streetsville for storage and maintenance. [More]

ATA Launches Clearfield-Centre Connector Regional Bus Service

The Area Transportation Authority of North Central Pennsylvania (ATA) in Johnsonburg, PA, which serves Clearfield County, introduced a new regional commuter bus service—the Clearfield-Centre Connector, linking Clearfield, Philipsburg, and State College—on Jan. 2. [More]

Public Transit Reaches Out to Meet Community Needs

Public transportation agencies find many ways of giving back to their communities, during the holidays and throughout the year. Here are a few that shared their outreach efforts with Passenger Transport. [More]

COMMENTARY

Ads Show Mass Transit Talk Finally Is Traveling from ‘Why’ to ‘How’
BY ERIKA D. SMITH

If you’ve turned on a radio or TV in the past couple of days, you may have come across a series of new commercials that offer answers to what has become a decades-old question in Central Indiana: “Why do we need more transit options?”

The answers in the commercials aren’t new. (“To get to work.” “To attract more jobs.” “To get to the airport.” “Because I want an alternative to driving.”) But somehow, those answers have a new ring of truth to them.

You wouldn’t know it from the commercials, but in many quarters, the debate has moved beyond: “Why do we need more transit options?” Now the question is: “How can we add transit in a way that makes financial, political, and logistical sense?” [More]

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

Who's Doing What in the Industry

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