WSP Global Inc., headquartered in Montréal, entered into an agreement to purchase Parsons Brinckerhoff Group Inc. (PB) from Balfour Beatty plc for an enterprise value of $1.2 billion plus an additional consideration for cash retained by PB of up to $110 million. The agreement was announced on Sept. 3. [More]

NEWS HEADLINES

Standing-Room-Only Crowd Greets Rapid's Silver Line

The Rapid, Grand Rapids, MI, launched the Silver Line, Michigan’s first BRT service, Aug. 25 before a standing-room-only crowd of supporters. FTA Acting Administrator Therese ­McMillan, Michigan DOT Director Kirk Steudle, and local officials joined Peter Varga, The Rapid’s chief executive officer, and Barb Holt, its board chair, at the opening-day event. [More]

Austin Launches Second BRT Line

The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Austin, TX, rolled out its second MetroRapid BRT line, Route 803, onto some of the area’s busiest streets on Aug. 24. The first MetroRapid line, Route 801, launched earlier this year. [More]

Northern Virginia Corridor Welcomes WMATA's Metroway

Officials representing the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and the Northern Virginia communities of Alexandria and Arlington County gathered Aug. 24 to introduce Metroway, a premium bus service that offers a faster trip between the Crystal City and Braddock Road Metrorail stations in the busy Crystal City-Potomac Yard Corridor. The two municipalities are jointly constructing the transitway, which will offer BRT features on the region’s first dedicated right-of-way. [More]

Cleveland RTA Opens New Rapid Transit Station

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) celebrated the opening of its new Cedar-University Rapid Transit Station with an Aug. 28 ribbon-cutting event hosted by RTA General Manager Joe Calabrese and attended by FTA Acting Administrator Therese McMillan and Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson, among other guests. [More]

MBTA Opens First Subway Station in 27 Years

Massachusetts Gov. Deval ­Patrick joined Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) officials and state leaders on Sept. 2 to open the first new MBTA station in 27 years. The new Assembly Orange Line station, known as Assembly, is located in the Boston suburb of Somerville. [More]

KCATA Opens CNG Bus Fueling Station

The Kansas City Area Trans­portation Authority marked the opening of its Compressed Natural Gas fueling station—the largest fast-fill station in Missouri and the bi-state Kansas City region—on Aug. 27. [More]

New CEOs Named

Public transit agencies in Memphis, TN, Greensburg, PA, and Yuma, AZ, and Alstom Transportation Inc. have announced new chief executives. [More]

AROUND THE INDUSTRY

FTA Circular Would Change Fund Availability for Midlife Buses

FTA has released a ­proposed circular that changes the definition of which projects and activities may be funded under the federal Bus and Bus Facilities program (49 U.S.C. 5339), established by MAP-21. A notice regarding the ­circular appeared in the July 30 ­Federal Register. [More]

TTC Welcomes New Low Floor Streetcars on Spadina Line

The Toronto Transit Commission celebrated the inaugural run of its new low floor streetcar on the 510 Spadina Line on Aug. 31. [More]

DOT Schedules Webinars on Transportation Future

DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx invites public transportation professionals to participate in a webinar series on the challenges and opportunities facing the U.S. transportation system. [More]

Embossed Columns Commemorate Hawaiian Heritage

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation recently completed its first embossed column as part of an art project connected with its rail station development program. [More]

Improving Access to Fare Machines in Phoenix

Valley Metro Rail is improving the accessibility of its fare vending machines by lowering the pedestal heights of 62 machines—one at each station entryway—over the next three years. [More]

11 AC Transit Operators Honored: A Total of 335 Years of Safe Driving

AC Transit, Oakland, CA, recently honored 11 of its bus operators with gifts and a standing ovation for driving their vehicles a combined 335 years without causing any accidents. Each of the drivers has been behind the wheel for at least 30 years. [More]

Industry Briefs

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

CASE STUDY

FIT FOR DUTY: Agencies Improve Workforce Health

The Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority is just one of several public transit agencies that have incorporated member health and wellness activities into its daily culture. [More]

APTA MEMBER PROFILE

Meet Connie Crawford!

This is the latest in an ongoing series of columns showcasing APTA members. The subject of this profile is Connie Crawford, senior vice president, gl;obal vice president for rail and transit, with Louis Berger, Morristown, NJ, chair of the APTA Capital Projects Subcommittee and member, Rail Conference Planning and Annual Meeting Planning subcommittees. [More]

APTA NEWS

Something for Everyone at APTA's Annual Meeting & EXPO

The 2014 APTA Annual Meeting & EXPO, Oct. 12-15 in Houston, is only five weeks away! Don’t miss your chance to be part of one of the ­largest events for the community of public transportation agency and business ­leaders. [More]

15 Groups Receive APTA Grants

APTA has announced the most recent recipients of its Local Coalition Grant Program, an initiative that supports and energizes grassroots public transportation coalitions through education and advocacy efforts. [More]

COMMENTARY

Streetcars vs. Buses? Solution Is Not Either/Or

Streetcars or buses? Yes!

There is an understandable question among Salt Lake City residents about whether streetcars or buses should be used downtown or in our neighborhoods. Considering the merits of these different mobility modes suggests different, complementary approaches. [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]