The Agence métropolitaine de transport (AMT) in Montréal, QC, introduced service Dec. 1 on its newest commuter rail service, the 53-km (almost 33-mile) Mascouche Line. [More]

BART Begins Service to Oakland International

To prepare for increased traffic during the Thanksgiving holiday, the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District launched service Nov. 21 between the Coliseum in Oakland, CA, and the new Oakland International Airport Station. [More]

Celebrating 100 Years of Safety

As APTA's Bus and Rail Safety & Security Awards program marked its 100th anniversary this year, the association is honoring the industry's commitment to safety with a special publication that tracks 100 of public transit's most notable milestones. [More]

APTA Organizes Business Member Fly-In

Members of House Issue Dear Colleague Letter Calling for Passage of Multi-Year Authorization Bill

Four members of Congress—Reps. Reid J. Ribble (R-WI), Daniel Lipinski (D-IL), Tom Reed (R-NY), and Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-NJ)—circulated a Dear Colleague letter on Dec. 3 to their colleagues calling for passage of a multi-year surface transportation authorization bill. APTA is among the numerous organizations that support the text of the letter. [More]

APTA Presents Awards

APTA recently presented its 2014 National Distinguished Service Award to Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Rep. Tom Petri (R-WI) on Capitol Hill. [More]

New CEOs Named

A fare collection firm and two public transit agencies have announced the appointment of new chief executives. [More]

CUTA's Roschlau to Retire

Michael W. Roschlau, president and chief executive officer of the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) for the past 16 years, has announced his plans to retire in June. He joined CUTA in 1986. [More]

Sears Dies; Past FTA Chief Counsel

William (Will) P. Sears, 48, former FTA chief counsel and founder of the transportation consulting company the Peterson Group, died Nov. 28. [More]

APTA NEWS

Attend BMBG Meeting in January; Market-Driven Agenda Taking Shape

Each January, the APTA Business Member Board of Governors convenes to identify private sector priorities and set an agenda to address industry matters impacting their businesses. The 2015 meeting, open to all business members, will take place Jan. 26-28 in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. [More]

APTA Promotes Public Transit Careers to Youth

APTA is seeking a diverse group of 50 rising high school juniors and seniors from across the U.S. to participate in its 2015 Youth Summit, “GenTech on Board,” June 28-July 2 in Washington, D.C. [More]

AROUND THE INDUSTRY

Missoula's Mountain Line Unveils a New Look

The Missoula (MT) Urban Transportation District, operator of Mountain Line bus service, recently unveiled new buses with an exterior redesign inspired by the region’s natural surroundings. The exterior of each bus displays a different graphic showing people participating in leisure activities familiar to the community. [More]

COMTO Chapter Honors AC Transit

The Northern California Chapter of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) recently recognized AC Transit, Oakland, CA, as its Transit Agency of the Year. [More]

Valley Metro Begins Solar Project

Valley Metro recently began installing solar panels on the roof of its light rail operations and maintenance facility in Phoenix. When the plant goes online in the spring, it will be capable of generating 780 kilowatts of energy annually while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. [More]

Riverside Opens Upgraded Bus Stops

The Riverside (CA) Transit Agency recently held ribbon-cutting ceremonies to celebrate the opening of six new bus stops and shelters at the Galleria at Tyler, a shopping mall in Riverside. [More]

Nova Bus Partners with Metrolinx

Nova Bus has entered into an $80 million (Cdn,) contract with Metrolinx, which coordinates transit vehicle purchasing initiatives for 13 municipalities in Ontario. [More]

DART Rail Safety Campaign Reaches Out to Homeless

Dallas Area Rapid Transit recently launched an outreach campaign with Operation Lifesaver Inc. and local advocates for the homeless community to talk about dangers the homeless can face around rail tracks. [More]

Industry Briefs

COMMENTARY

Let's Restore Parity for the Commuter Tax Benefit

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]