As President Trump’s $1 trillion proposal to invest in infrastructure awaits congressional discussion, Passenger Transport had the opportunity to pose several public transportation-related questions to two of the lawmakers who will be instrumental in those debates—Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA), chairman of the House Transportation and Infra­structure Committee, and Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID), chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee.They shared their thoughts in advance of APTA’s Legislative Conference, March 12-14. [More]

APTA Drives Home Advocacy Messages: Legislative Conference Highlights

President Trump and the 115th Congress are nearing the midpoint of the 100-day mark for the new administration, setting policies and priorities that continue to shift the political landscape as the public transportation industry converges on Washington, DC, for APTA’s Legislative Conference, March 12-14. [More]

Vast Majority of Transit Trips Directly Contribute to Nation's Economic Strength

Public transit trips are integral to the engine that powers America’s economy—according to APTA’s new demographic study, Who Rides Public Transportation—by connecting riders to employers and to retail and entertainment venues. [More]

White: Public Transit Is 'Poster Child for Underinvestment' in ASCE Report Card

In a response to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), which gave public transportation a D-minus grade in its 2017 Infrastructure Report Card released March 9, APTA Acting President & CEO Richard A. White called public transit “the poster child for our country’s underinvestment in infrastructure” and said the grade “underlines the need for greater investment in public transportation.” [More]

SFMTA Breaks Ground for Van Ness Project; City's First BRT, Upgrading Historic Infrastructure

The city of San Francisco recently broke ground on the Van Ness Improvement Project, a major civic-improvement project that will revitalize and rehabilitate one of the city’s main corridors and feature the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency’s first BRT line. [More]

Md. MTA Opens Express Commuter Bus Routes; Part of Regional Plan

As part of Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s BaltimoreLink plan to improve transportation connections throughout the Baltimore region, the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) unveiled two new commuter bus routes March 7 and 8, one connecting Kent Island with downtown Baltimore (a distance of about 37 miles) and the other connecting the downtown areas of Baltimore and Annapolis. [More]

MST Starts Largest Building Project in Its History

Monterey-Salinas (CA) ­Transit (MST) recently broke ground for a 31,000-square-foot operations and maintenance facility that, according to General Manager/Chief Executive Officer Carl Sedoryk, is “the largest construction project that MST has undertaken as an agency.” [More]

New Interims, CEO Named

The Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission has named its new executive director, while three other agencies have announced interim chief executives. [More]

SolTrans Expands Investment in Alternative Fuels; Breaks Ground for On-Site CNG Fueling Station

As part of a system overhaul that includes acquiring alternate-fuel vehicles, Solano County Transit (SolTrans) broke ground March 3 for a CNG fueling facility at its operations and maintenance facility in Vallejo, CA. [More]

Wabtec Signs $97 Million Contract for TEXRail

Wabtec Corporation has entered into a $97 million contract to provide signaling and communication services for TEXRail, a 27-mile commuter rail line being developed by the Fort Worth Transportation Authority (FWTA), scheduled to open in 2018. [More]

APTA MEMBER PROFILE

Meet Nadine Lee!

This is the latest in an ongoing series of columns showcasing APTA members. The subject of this profile is Nadine Lee, deputy chief innovation officer, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, a member of the Leadership APTA Class of 2015 and the Leadership APTA, Mobility Management and Policy & Planning committees. [More]

APTA NEWS

Bus Conference Focuses on Educational Sessions

Educational sessions covering a wide variety of topics—including the popular day-long “BRT Tuesday”—are a major component of the 2017 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference, May 7-10 in Reno, NV. [More]

Every Voice Counts: Vote on Proposed Bylaws Changes

APTA reminds its members to vote on changes to the ­association’s governing structure, which, if approved by two-thirds of APTA’s nearly 1,500 members, will be implemented to coincide with the seating of the new board and Executive Committee in October. [More]

Tips, Tools, Talking Points: APTA's Resources Deliver Essential Info

APTA's Niche Conferences Score Big with Participants

APTA conducts several smaller, audience-specific conferences throughout the year to provide professional development and networking opportunities for transit leaders by profession. Two recently wrapped up. [More]

AdWheel Honors Communications and Marketing Efforts

APTA’s AdWheel Awards recognize the marketing and communications efforts of association members and showcase the strategic value of communications and marketing in the industry. [More]

In Memoriam: Rose Gandee, APTA Librarian

Rose Gandee, an information specialist at APTA for 36 years, died Feb. 14. [More]

FROM THE PT ARCHIVES

1976: APTA's First Legislative Conference

As Passenger Transport celebrates the 75th anniversary of its founding, we will feature short articles summarizing some of the important news, people and events from past issues. [More]

AROUND THE INDUSTRY

All Aboard RTD's R Line

RTD General Manager and CEO Dave Genova joined board members, representatives of local government and business partners in launching service on the agency’s newest light rail, the R Line, Feb. 24 at the Iliff Station. [More]

In Houston and Chicago, Rail Safety Is 'Highest Priority,' 'Nothing Off the Table'

Public transit agencies in Houston and Chicago are putting the spotlight on rail safety through community partnerships and outreach programs. [More]

MBTA Triumphs Over Severe Winter Weather

Thanks to an investment of more than $100 million in overhauling its winter resiliency efforts, Boston’s Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has been receiving applause in recognition of its successes in keeping its buses and trains operating during this winter’s severe conditions. [More]

Council Approves Tax Hike for IndyGo Expansion

The Indianapolis City-County Council recently voted 17-8 to enact a 0.25 percent income tax hike dedicated to public transit expansion that voters approved in November. [More]

UITP Summit Set for May

Urban transportation decision makers and suppliers will gather May 15-17 in Montreal for the UITP’s (International Association of Public Transport) Global Public Transit Summit. [More]

COMMENTARY

Broadening the View: Holistic Planning and Partnerships Can Enhance Transit Capacity and Preserve Budgets

Transit agencies across the nation are experiencing two trends that, taken together, present both great opportunities and profound challenges. On the one hand, demand for public transportation has been rising: According to HNTB’s America THINKS 2015 public transit survey, 158 million Americans use public transportation, and four out of five survey respondents indicated they could be motivated to use it even more. Yet, on the other hand, transit systems nationally face a daunting maintenance backlog to achieve a state of good repair. [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 as space permits. [More]