APTA invites all members to take part (virtually) in the July 13 White House Conference on Aging, an event that will examine issues important to older Americans, including mobility options, which APTA President & CEO Michael Melaniphy is scheduled to attend. Make your plans today! [More]

Senate Commerce Committee to Mark Up Six-Year Transportation Bill

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation will consider and vote July 15 on S. 1732, the Comprehensive Transportation and Consumer Protection Act of 2015. [More]

FTA Seeks Nominations for TRACS

FTA recently published a notice in the Federal Register seeking nominations for up to eight representatives from the public transportation safety community for two-year terms on the Transit Advisory Committee for Safety (TRACS). [More]

NEWS HEADLINES

New Services Introduced in Three States

Three public transportation agencies recently introduced new services: SouthWest Transit’s (SWT) SouthWest Prime, which began July 6 in Eden Prairie, MN; the “RTD Chile Line” in Taos, NM, which the North Central Regional Transit District (NCRTD) in Española, NM, took over from the town on July 1; and the Current, Link Transit’s three fare-free routes operating with battery-electric trolleys and propane-powered cutaway buses in Wenatchee, WA, which opened July 3. [More]

Schumer Visits Alstom

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, which oversees public transit programs, visited Alstom Transport’s passenger rail manufacturing center in Hornell, NY. [More]

Durbin Visits Freedman Seating

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) toured Freedman Seating Company’s Chicago facility and learned about the company’s workforce development initiatives on July 7. [More]

More Vacationers Will 'Travel Like a Local' This Year

More than half of Americans who plan to vacation in a U.S. city this summer—almost 89 million people—say they will use public transportation for at least one activity, according to APTA’s annual “Travel Like a Local” Summer Travel Survey. [More]

Metra Dedicates Station

Officials of Metra commuter rail and Flossmoor, IL, held dedication ceremonies recently for the newly completed $4 million reconstruction of the platform and related facilities at the Flossmoor Station on Metra’s ­Electric District Line. [More]

California Agencies Receive State Grants to Combat Climate Change

Fourteen public transit projects in California, all administered by APTA member agencies, have received a total of $224 million in competitive grants from the California State Transportation Agency. [More]

FTA Announces NPRM on Testing Bus Safety

FTA is accepting comments through Aug. 24 on a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would improve the process for testing the safety and reliability of new public transit buses funded with federal dollars. [More]

APTA, COMTO Reaffirm Long-Standing Alliance; Meeting Follows DBEs Assembly at Rail

APTA President & CEO Michael Melaniphy hosted Mioshi Moses, the new COMTO president and chief executive officer, and COMTO Senior Advisor and Chief Strategist (retired Col.) Jim Paige, executive director, Pioneer Student Leadership Academy, Alexandria, VA, at a recent meeting in the APTA offices. [More]

AROUND THE INDUSTRY

SEPTA Demonstrates PTC, Conducts Tour for Elected Officials

With the deadline requiring intercity, commuter and freight rail systems to install PTC less than six months away, SEPTA is positioned to successfully implement PTC in compliance with the law, barring any unforeseen technical challenges or concerns that arise during testing. [More]

National Council Releases Draft Report

Increased funding for transportation infrastructure would help incorporate resilience into the planning, design and construction of transportation facilities and services, according to a new draft report discussed in early July by the National Infrastructure Advisory Council (NIAC). [More]

SFRTA Builds First LEED-Certified Station in Pompano Beach

The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (Tri-Rail) has begun construction on its first LEED-certified station, adjacent to the agency’s new headquarters site in ­Pompano Beach, FL. [More]

SORTA, Transdev Partner for Streetcar Operation in Cincinnati

The Board of Trustees of the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority, operator of Cincinnati Metro, joined Transdev Services July 6 in a $38 million contract agreement regarding operations and maintenance for Cincinnati’s new streetcar service, scheduled to open in September 2016. [More]

Spreading the Word About National Parks

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is among public transit agencies showcasing next year’s centennial anniversary of the National Park Service at bus shelters—including this one near the Dupont Circle Metrorail Station—and on public transit vehicle exteriors and interiors. [More]

MTI: Most Americans OK with Gas Tax Increase When Targeted

The majority of Americans will support increased taxes at the gas pump, but only if the revenue is invested in specific transportation improvements that people value, states a newly released research report from the Mineta Transportation Institute, the sixth in an annual series. [More]

New Vehicles, Branding at Gold Coast

MBTA Announces $83.7 Million Winter Resiliency Plan

Boston’s Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and Gov. Charlie Baker have proposed an $83.7 million Winter Resiliency Plan, which includes purchasing additional snow removal equipment, upgrading infrastructure and bolstering operations during harsh weather—all recommendations from an APTA peer review conducted in April regarding system disruptions during the past winter. [More]

Taking Capital Metro to the Fireworks

The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority in Austin, TX, provided a front row seat for crowds attending the annual July 4 celebration featuring fireworks and an outdoor concert by the Austin Symphony Orchestra. [More]

Welcome New APTA Members

Click here to see the list of APTA's newest members. [More]

Burke Dies; San Diego MTS Police Chief

Bill Burke, 68, chief of police for the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), died June 23. [More]

APTA NEWS

Youth Summit Sparks the Next Generation of Public Transit Workers

Fifty high school juniors and seniors from around the country converged in Washington, DC, for a packed week of discussions, tours and presentations at this year’s APTA Youth Summit, June 28-July 2. [More]

Summer Interns at APTA

APTA Interns Sarah Dickens, Akila Copeland and Julia Davis are spending eight weeks working for the association on several projects, including Dump the Pump and the Youth Summit. [More]

COMMENTARY

DOT Blog on Investing in Transportation, Committing to Healthcare

Two recent postings on DOT’s “Fast Lane” blog focus on strengthening federal investment in transportation and on the FTA’s commitment to connecting transportation and wellness. Read excerpts below. [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]