Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) opened its portal to the world Aug. 18 with the launch of the last segment of the light rail Orange Line, which terminates at a new station at Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport. With the addition of 4.7 miles of new track, DART operates the longest U.S. light rail system while linking to the fourth busiest U.S. airport—the third busiest with a direct ­public transit connection. [More]

California High-Speed Rail Moves Forward

The California High-Speed Rail Authority has entered the preliminary construction phase for the high-speed rail project with demolition of buildings in the rail corridor between Fresno and Bakersfield, and soils testing. The line expects to see completed design for major bridges in the near future. [More]

Silver Line Takes Off Aug. 25 in Grand Rapids

WMATA to Introduce 'Metroway' Corridor

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has joined with two Northern Virginia municipalities to provide “Metroway” service in a “transitway,” or dedicated corridor, between Crystal City in Arlington County and Potomac Yard in Alexandria, beginning Aug. 24. [More]

Daktronics to Acquire Data Display

Daktronics, Brookings, SD, which supplies large-format video displays to transportation systems, announced on Aug. 15 its agreement to purchase Data Display, a transportation-focused display company. [More]

New Interim GMs Named

Public transit agencies in Kansas City, MO, and Snohomish County, WA, have announced new interim general managers. [More]

Valley Metro Recognizes Rep. Pastor for Support

Valley Metro in Phoenix hosted an event Aug. 14 to thank retiring Rep. Ed Pastor (D-AZ) for his 23 years of service and to honor him with APTA’s 2014 Local Distinguished Service Award. [More]

APTA Honors Smerk at Indiana Association

Dr. George M. Smerk was honored Aug. 13 for his 51 years of service to the public transportation industry at the Indiana Transit Association’s 80th Annual Meeting in Bloomington, IN, where APTA President & CEO Michael Melaniphy presented him with the APTA Lifetime of Academic Distinction Award. In remarks at a luncheon attended by more than 100 people, Melaniphy spoke about the economic benefits of public transit and the continued need for federal investment. [More]

P3s Focus of Panel Discussion on Capitol Hill; Congressional Public Transportation Caucus Convenes Experts

Michael Schneider, senior vice president, HDR/InfraConsult, and chair of APTA’s Public-Private Partnerships Committee, recently moderated a panel on Capitol Hill that explored some of the critical questions related to public transportation’s public-private partnerships. [More]

APTA NEWS

What's New? Annual Meeting & EXPO Update

APTA has announced speakers for two Oct. 15 sessions during the 2014 Annual Meeting and EXPO, Oct. 12-15 in Houston. [More]

Multimodal Workshop Marks 25 Years

APTA reported record attendance at its 25th annual Multimodal Operations Planning Workshop, Aug. 11-13 in Chicago: 181 registrants, almost twice what was expected. [More]

Reaching Out to Members of Congress

While your lawmakers are away from Capitol Hill and in their congressional districts, APTA encourages you to invite members of Congress to tour your organization or system and see firsthand the benefits of public-private partnerships in the public transportation industry. [More]

AROUND THE INDUSTRY

Getting Out the Vote, CATA Style

When 75 percent of voters in a community approve a tax to support public transit—especially in today’s tax-averse environment—you can bet that agency is doing something right.

In the case of the Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) in Lansing, MI, it’s doing several things right, says Sandy Draggoo, chief executive officer and executive director, describing her agency’s recent win at the ballot box when voters overwhelmingly approved CATA’s millage proposition to renew its operating funds. [More]

Mathews Named NARP CEO

Jim Mathews will join the National Association of Railroad Passengers as president and chief executive officer, effective Sept. 8. [More]

Report: Less Driving, More Public Transit in Arizona

Residents of Arizona are shifting away from individual vehicles and toward public transportation, according to Bikes, Trains and Less Driving, a new report released by the Arizona PIRG Education Fund and St. Luke’s Health Initiatives. [More]

Industry Briefs

Following is a roundup of news from public transportation's transit agencies and private sector companies. [More]

'Art Everywhere'--Even on Transit

The Outdoor Advertising Association of America partnered with five U.S. art museums to reproduce 58 artworks in numerous public venues—including public transit vehicles and stations—during August as part of “Art Everywhere US.” [More]

COMMENTARY

Board Development by Design: A Board-Savvy CEO Role

A couple of months ago, I was privileged to facilitate a “high-impact governing” work session for the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority in San Jose, CA, at which VTA General Manager and CEO Nuria Fernandez, her board of directors, and the executive team discussed ­significant advances in the rapidly changing field of public transportation governance and considered possible steps to strengthen the VTA board’s governing capacity. The session was aimed at taking an already excellent board to the next level of leadership. [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]