As policy makers react to President Donald Trump’s recently released “skinny budget” that recommends a 13 percent cut in DOT programs for FY 2018, APTA continues to build a strong case that public transit must be part of the administration’s proposed $1 trillion infrastructure investment and that the FAST Act must be fully funded for FY 2017 and 2018. [More]

Legislative Conference Features Transit Experts, Focuses on Issues

More than 550 public transportation leaders gathered in Washington, DC, March 12-14 for APTA’s 42nd annual Legislative Conference to discuss the federal role in public transportation and make the case for increased investment. [More]

Transit Technology's 'Next Big Thing': Industry Leaders Assess Future

Public transportation has a long history of adopting, adapting and maximizing new technology, from replacing horse-drawn vehicles with steam engines in the mid-1800s to swapping gas-powered motors for diesel engines in the 1960s to the highly complex, integrated, digital systems routine in many operations today. [More]

Coast RTA Opens Facility in Repurposed Building

Thanks to a partnership with the city of Myrtle Beach, SC, the Waccamaw Regional Transportation Authority (Coast RTA) has opened a new transfer center in a 960-square-foot building owned by the city, repurposed by city employees and named for the agency’s founder. [More]

APTA Delivers Security Program Overseas

APTA, in partnership with TSA, the FBI and UITP, recently organized and conducted a multi-day international security and emergency management peer exchange that paired North American transit leaders with their counterparts throughout Europe. [More]

2017 COMTO Women Who Move the Nation

The Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) recognized 11 women representing the broad cross-section of transportation in both the public and private sectors at the sixth annual Women Who Move the Nation awards ceremony March 15. [More]

New Interim CEO Named

The Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan (RTA) in Detroit named Tiffany J. Gunter, deputy chief executive officer and chief operating officer since 2014, interim CEO following the departure of Michael Ford. [More]

BART to Open Warm Springs Extension

As Passenger Transport went to press, the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) was preparing to introduce service March 25 on the Warm Springs Extension, which connects the existing Fremont Station to the new Warm Springs/South Fremont Station and serves a fast-growing Silicon Valley community. [More]

LA Metro Begins Building Metrolink Station Near Burbank Airport

Los Angeles Metro began construction March 21 for a Metrolink commuter rail station that will be part of a proposed mixed-use development project featuring a new Burbank Airport terminal within walking distance. [More]

Autonomous Vehicle Demos in Jacksonville, Austin

The Jacksonville (FL) Transportation Authority (JTA) and Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Capital Metro), Austin, TX, recently hosted demonstrations of the 12-person EasyMile EZ10 autonomous shuttle vehicle for possible future use. [More]

MBTA Plans Overhaul of Historic PCC Cars

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) in Boston has announced plans to invest $7.9 million in a complete overhaul of its historic Presidential Conference Committee (PCC) streetcars that have operated on the 2.6-mile Mattapan-Ashmont Station High Speed Line since 1955; the vehicles date to 1945-46. [More]

In Memoriam: Fisher, Longtime MST Board Chairman

Morris (Morrie) Fisher, 79, of Pacific Grove, CA, the longest-serving member of the Monterey-Salinas Transit Board of Directors in its history, died March 13. [More]

MORE FROM THE LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE

Legislative Conference Features Public Transit Industry Experts and Washington Insiders; Attendees Gather to Hear about Transportation's Impact and Investments, Policies and Politics

The following brief reports recount some of the highlights from the APTA Legislative Conference. [More]

APTA Analysis: Investment in Public Transit Could Yield 10 Million U.S. Jobs; Message Resonates with National Media

A $200 billion investment in public transit—a portion of President Trump’s proposed $1 trillion infrastructure plan—could create 10 million jobs nationwide and help sustain economic growth by contributing $800 billion to the Gross Domestic Product over a 20-year period, according to the APTA Infrastructure Analysis released during a press conference at the recent Legislative Conference. [More]

Scenes from the Conference

Click here to see more photos from the 2017 APTA Legislative Conference. [More]

APTA NEWS

Bus Conference Announces Lineups for Two General Sessions

APTF Accepting Scholarship Applications

The American Public Transportation Foundation (APTF) is accepting applications for its 2017 scholarships for college students or public transit professionals who are interested in pursuing or advancing a career in the public transportation industry. [More]

FROM THE PT ARCHIVES

1970: 'Surge in Technology' Ahead for Transit

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]

COMMENTARY

Urban Transportation's Multimodal Future; Expanded Transit Part of a New 'Mobility Paradigm'

Second perhaps only to waterways, road systems have had the greatest impact on the design and physical structure of our cities. The car-centric redesign of the American city that began in the early 20th century was embraced with open arms by urban planners and citizens alike. Yet now, in the early 21st century, its limitations are clear. There is a rapidly growing awareness that simply expanding our roadways won’t end congestion and gridlock. [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]