As Passenger Transport went to press, on July 10 both the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee voted for legislation that would extend the solvency of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF), including the Mass Transit Account. The House bill is scheduled to come to the floor the week of July 14. [More]

NEWS HEADLINES

HTF: Running on Empty? House, Senate Take Different Approaches

As members of Congress eye the calendar for their August recess and as MAP-21 nears its expiration on Sept. 30, the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee are working to advance agreements to prevent the pending insolvency of the Highway Account of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF), estimated to occur in August, with the Mass Transit Account running dry as early as October. [More]

Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 Turns 50; APTA Calls on Congress to Fund HTF

APTA marked the 50th anniversary of the Urban Mass Transportation Act (UMTA) of 1964 on July 9 by noting the achievements of public transportation over the past five decades while urging Congress to take action to address the Highway Trust Fund’s looming shortfall and solve the nation’s long-term transportation investment needs. [More]

RIPTA’s R-Line: First Rapid Bus in Rhode Island

The Rhode Island ­Public Transit Authority (RIPTA), Providence, recently instituted service on its first rapid bus line. The R-Line replaces the two regular fixed routes with the highest ridership in the state and provides about 11,000 passenger trips each weekday—about 20 percent of overall RIPTA ridership. [More]

Crawford Hotel to Open at Denver Union Station

The next step in the rebirth of Denver Union Station is about to begin with the July 12 opening of the 112-room Crawford Hotel and several new stores and restaurants in the station building. [More]

Public Transit: Bigger than Google

At the recent Mineta Transportation Institute’s Finance Policy Summit, APTA President & CEO Michael Melaniphy said that APTA’s recommendations for a new surface transportation bill would lead to 1.1 million jobs created or maintained because of increased productivity, job access, and connectivity. [More]

Harbour, Acting CEO, Sound Transit

The Sound Transit Board of Directors in Seattle has designated Deputy Chief Executive Officer Mike Harbour as acting CEO while Joni Earl is on medical leave. Harbour has been deputy CEO since October 2012. [More]

Bobit Dies; Founder of METRO Magazine

Ed Bobit, 86, founder and chairman of Bobit Business Media, publisher of METRO Magazine and other trade publications, died June 29. [More]

COTA Zooms to the Boom

The Central Ohio Transit Agency held its annual Red, White, and BOOM! event on July 3, its largest service day of the year. [More]

AUTHORIZATION UPDATE

Menendez: Public Transportation Is an Economic Engine

“Public transportation has become an important economic engine in today’s society—creating jobs, connecting communities, and driving productivity,” Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) wrote in a post at APTA's blog honoring the 50th anniversary of the Urban Mass Transportation Act (UMTA) and the ­continuing role of public transit in the marketplace. [More]

Grassroots Advocates Speak Out to Representatives on Capitol Hill

What happens when thousands of public transportation advocates send the same message at the same time to members of Congress?

You get Congress’ attention, says APTA President & CEO Michael ­Melaniphy: “When elected officials hear directly from their constituents, it personalizes the benefits of public transportation. These public transit advocates can articulate the positive impact these essential transportation systems have on their lives, their community and our nation’s future.” [More]

Tick, Tick, Tick . . .

As the clock ticks on the pending insolvency of the Highway Trust Fund and its Mass Transit Account, DOT recently updated two “tickers” that track the funding remaining in each account and estimate the day each account runs dry. [More]

Read All About It! Editorials Call for Increased Taxes to Fund HTF

Dozens of recent newspaper editorials called for funding the HTF, investing in transportation infrastructure, and increasing the gas tax, drawing the connection between diminished transportation investments and the stagnant gas tax with stalled local economies, job loss, and delayed community improvements. [More]

Groups Representing State and Local Officials Call for Action

The heads of seven national organizations that represent state and local officials sent a letter to congressional leaders on July 7 urging Congress to ensure the “continued solvency of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF), while committing to pass a long-term agreement on surface transportation funding as part of a multi-year reauthorization of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act.” [More]

APTA MEMBER PROFILE

Meet Keith T. Parker!

This is the latest in an ongoing series of columns showcasing APTA members. The subject of this profile is Keith T. Parker, AICP: general manager/chief executive officer, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, and member, APTA Executive Committee; vice chair, Rail Transit  Committee; and member, Leadership APTA, Bus and Paratransit CEOs, and Legislative committees. [More]

AROUND THE INDUSTRY

Ramsey Welcomes Amtrak Service at St. Paul Union Depot

The Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority recently welcomed Amtrak service back to the restored Union Depot in St. Paul, MN, after 43 years, at an event attended by representatives of FRA and Minnesota DOT. Metro Transit’s light rail Green Line also serves the station, along with local and regional buses. [More]

SPX Genfare Hosts Melaniphy

SPX Genfare CEO Kim Green recently hosted APTA President & CEO Michael Melaniphy at the company’s new factory and offices in Elk Grove Village, IL. [More]

Texas Agencies Receive State Grants

Public transit agencies in San Antonio, Austin, El Paso, Dallas, and Houston recently received funding as part of $267 million in grants from the Texas Transportation Commission, part of Texas DOT, through the Unified Transportation Program. [More]

Metra ‘Customizes’ Commutes

Metra commuter rail in Chicago has launched “Customize Your Commute,” allowing riders to choose individually when to receive email service alerts and giving them the option to sign up for a variety of other emails about specialized topics. [More]

Building a Bus Stop Out of LEGO Bricks

Bus passengers in London have been using a bus stop constructed out of more than 100,000 LEGO bricks. [More]

COMMENTARY

Reports from DOT Secretary and FTA Deputy Administrator

Following are two articles that originally appeared in DOT's official blog, Fast Lane. DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx reports on the threatened shortfall of the Highway Trust Fund, while FTA Deputy Administrator Therese McMillan commemorates the first birthday of FTA's Transit Safety Office. [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]