TransLink in Vancouver, BC, is now operating one of the longest fully automated and driverless rapid transit systems in the world—SkyTrain, with 79.6 km (about 50 miles) of track serving 53 stations—with the Dec. 2 opening of the Evergreen Extension of the Millennium Line, comprising six new SkyTrain stations and 11 km (about 6 miles) of new track. [More]

Flowers, Ford Open First Coast Flyer

FTA Acting Administrator Carolyn Flowers joined Jacksonville (FL) Transportation Authority (JTA) Chief Executive Officer and APTA Vice Chair Nathaniel P. Ford Sr. at dedication ceremonies Dec. 5 for the 11.1-mile Blue Line, the second of JTA’s proposed First Coast Flyer BRT lines. [More]

New Public Transportation Leaders Named

Public transportation businesses, management companies, educational institutions and transit agencies have announced new, interim and acting chief executives. [More]

2016: THE YEAR IN REVIEW

Highlights and Milestones: Public Transportation in 2016

Here’s an overview of public transit industry milestones during the past year, as reported by Passenger Transport. [More]

APTA's Advocacy Agenda: FAST Act Implementation, Presidential Politics

As Washington, DC, political activities in 2016 were largely shaped by the presidential campaign, APTA’s key advocacy efforts included outreach at both major political conventions, developing member consensus on the implementation priorities of the FAST Act and ensuring that public transportation remained on the national agenda. Highlights follow. [More]

APTA in 2016: Member Service, Support, Outreach

This has been a busy year for APTA as it strengthened its commitment to addressing the industry’s strategic challenges with expanded member services; research; standards development, best practice recommendations and advocacy. Here are a few highlights, as reported in Passenger Transport: [More]

Committee Chairs Reflect on Key 2016 Activities, Priorities

APTA’s committees, subcommittees and task forces play an important role in helping the association carry out its core mission, from setting industry standards to recommending policy to the Board of Directors, planning conferences, vetting and disseminating best practices, engaging members from a wide range of industry disciplines and advising APTA staff on strategic initiatives. What were some of their key accomplishments and priorities? For answers, Passenger Transport asked a few committee chairs to comment for this one-question interview:

What was your committee’s most significant priority or accomplishment for 2016? [More]

APTF Awards Record Number of Scholarships

Under the guidance of ­Jennifer Mitchell, chair of the American Public Transportation Foundation (APTF), the foundation topped the scholarship award record set in 2015 by awarding $130,000 to 27 scholars and transit professionals. [More]

2016 in Photos: A Great Year for Public Transportation

Click here to see a roundup of photos highlighting public transit openings, ground breakings and advocacy events from 2016. [More]

CONNECTECH BRIEFS

New App Helps Visually Impaired Riders; 'BlindWays' Is Product of MBTA and Perkins School for the Blind Collaboration

This issue of Passenger Transport introduces "ConnecTech Briefs," a periodic series that explores the connections between public transportation and technology, The first article is about "BlindWays," a free app that allows visually impaired public transit riders to locate the exact spot where the vehicle will stop. [More]

APTA NEWS

APTA Presidential Search Moves Forward

APTA member Krauthamer & Associates has been selected to conduct the search for the association’s next president and chief executive officer. APTA’s Board of Directors approved the contract in December based on the unanimous recommendation of the CEO Search Task Force. [More]

Industry's Safety Pros Discuss Challenges, Opportunities

More than 60 safety officers and other public transit professionals participated in APTA’s mid-year meeting, an in-depth gathering in Miami in early December. [More]

APTA: Commuter Rail Making 'Significant Progress' on PTC

Carolyn Hayward-Williams, APTA’s director, engineering and technology services, and Billy Terry, the association’s senior legislative representative, testified at a joint hearing of the New Jersey Senate Legislative Oversight and Assembly Judiciary committees in early December, noting that the industry is making “significant progress” on meeting federal implementation deadlines for PTC. [More]

Survey: Voters in Presidential Election Express Bipartisan Support for Infrastructure Investment

Almost 70 percent of all Americans surveyed across the country—including a majority of Donald Trump voters—support continued investment to repair and improve public transportation, according to a survey conducted for APTA among voters of the last presidential election on Nov. 11, immediately after the Nov. 8 vote, and released Dec. 16. [More]

Your APTA Minute - BOSS Program

The latest video in the “Your APTA Minute” series highlights the Bus Operator Selection Survey (BOSS) program, a process that helps public transit agencies select reliable, safe and customer-oriented bus operations. [More]

AROUND THE INDUSTRY

Fort Worth, FTA Sign $499 M Grant to Complete TEXRail

The Fort Worth Transportation Authority and FTA signed a $499.39 million Full Funding Grant Agreement in mid-December to complete local and federal funding for the $1.034 billion TEXRail commuter rail project. [More]

DOT Marks Year End with Support, Guidance

DOT issued several notices as 2016 came to a close, providing resources for strengthening community support for public transportation, announcing TOD assistance for five cities and offering guidance on shared mobility. [More]

Studying Public Transit in South Florida

Residents and visitors of three South Florida counties left their cars behind and took public transit on the recent Public Transit Day, established by two local urban planning firms and supported by the Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works. community leaders and elected officials. [More]

Siemens Completes First Train Set for Brightline

Siemens recently completed construction of the first train set for Florida’s Brightline, a privately owned and operated intercity rail system scheduled to enter service next year, at its manufacturing hub in Sacramento, CA. [More]

VRE Hosts Virginia Senator

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) visited Virginia Railway Express facilities in Spotsylvania County in suburban Northern Virginia on Dec. 14 to tour the station and the Crossroads Maintenance and Storage Facility. [More]

'Tis the Season...

for celebrations, decorations, giving back and making merry. Public transportation systems across the country are decking out their buses and railcars; spearheading toy, coat and food drives for people in need; providing free rides; and giving back to their communities in dozens of other ways. [More]

APTA MEMBER PROFILE

Meet Raquel Olivier!

This is the latest in an ongoing series of columns showcasing APTA members. The subject of this profile is Raquel Olivier, president/chief executive officer, Olivier, Inc., Dallas, a member of the APTA Board of Directors, APTF Board of Directors and Business Member Board of Governors and chair, BMBG Programs Committee. [More]

COMMENTARY

Nuria Fernandez: We're Growing Our Own; VTA's Pioneer Apprenticeship Program

There’s a tsunami headed our way in Silicon Valley, a silver tsunami. Up to 40 percent of our workforce in public transit is, or will soon be, eligible for retirement. But the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) isn’t taking that news calmly. We’re responding to it by “growing our own” replacements with a cutting edge apprenticeship program created through the partnership of management, labor, education and government support. [More]