California Gov. Jerry Brown, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Reps. Anna Eshoo and Jackie Speier (all D-CA), APTA Acting President & CEO Richard White and other transportation advocates and officials celebrated today's official ground breaking of the Caltrain Electrification Project. [More]

NEWS HEADLINES

APTA: 'Devastating Cuts' in FY 2018 Budget; Resolution Would Phase Out CIG, Eliminate TIGER

APTA has issued a statement objecting to “devastating cuts” in key public transportation programs—including phasing out Capital Investment Grants (CIG) and eliminating the TIGER grant program—in the FY 2018 Budget Resolution released July 18 by the House Budget Committee. [More]

New Ferry Operations Unveiled on Both Coasts

Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee helped Kitsap Transit welcome the return of ferry service between Bremerton, WA, and Seattle, while Hampton Roads Transit, Hampton, VA, christened its fourth and newest ferry. [More]

Park City Kicks Off All-Electric Bus Route; Buses First Step to BRT Service

Battery-electric buses recently made their first appearance operating in regular service in Park City, UT, with the introduction of six 40-foot Proterra vehicles on Park City Transit’s 6.8-mile Electric Xpress route, which ultimately will become BRT. [More]

TOD Housing Opens Adjacent to Sound Transit Station

At recent ceremonies marked with a lion dance performance and Somali youth dancers, Mercy Housing Northwest, a Seattle-based nonprofit organization that provides affordable, accessible housing for residents with special needs, opened a 108-unit TOD facility located across the street from the Sound Transit Othello light rail station. [More]

STA's West Plains Facility Will Improve Connectivity

As Passenger Transport went to press, the Spokane (WA) Transit Authority (STA) prepared to break ground July 19 for the West Plains Transit Center, a facility to provide better service to residents by creating stronger connectivity between two cities in the region. [More]

VIA Opens Upgraded Transfer Area

As part of its ongoing investment in enhanced passenger amenities throughout its service area, VIA Metropolitan Transit in San Antonio, TX, held a ceremonial grand opening and community celebration July 19 for the newly renovated Five Points Transfer Area. [More]

FRA Releases Two Passenger Rail Documents

FRA has released a final rule to set up a pilot program for competitive selection of rail passenger service providers (which FRA calls “eligible petitioners”) to operate up to three long-distance routes currently operated by Amtrak. [More]

New CEO Named: Cormier, Lochner

Lochner has named longtime employee Jeanne Cormier chief executive officer following the retirement of Jim Bishop. [More]

APTA NEWS

Aug. 31 Deadline for Coalition Grant Applications

APTA invites public transit professionals, including members of the National Alliance of Public Transportation Advocates (NAPTA), to apply through Aug. 31 for grants available through the Local Coalition Grant Program. [More]

Sundaram Joins APTA Staff

APTA recently welcomed Narayana Sundaram as director of engineering and commuter rail operations. [More]

Just in Time for Summer Vacation: Take Transit, Save $810 in July

Individuals who ride public transportation instead of driving for their daily commute can save, on average, more than $810 per month, according to APTA’s July Transit Savings Report, with an annual savings computed at $9,719 for a person who switches his or her commute by car to taking public transportation. [More]

APTA Announces Q1 Ridership

Ridership on all public transit modes, except for light and commuter rail services, experienced a downward tick in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the same time last year, according to APTA’s most recent ridership report and analysis. [More]

AROUND THE INDUSTRY

'Hop to It' for Fares Across Portland Region

For the first time, residents of the Portland, OR-Vancouver, WA area can use a single fare collection system, the Hop Fastpass™, for all public transit modes and systems throughout the region. [More]

Exploring Career Tracks for Rail Engineers

Michael Loehr, global practice leader, transit and rail, track and civil, CH2M, discussed technical aspects of engineering-related careers in passenger rail (among other topics) during the biennial Passenger Rail Engineering Education Symposium (p-REES) conducted at the Los Angeles Trade-Technical College in Los Angeles. [More]

AECOM to Acquire Construction Firm

AECOM has announced an agreement to acquire Shimmick Construction, a civil construction firm based in Oakland, CA, with the acquisition expected to close in AECOM’s fiscal fourth quarter. [More]

(Re)Power Up: Rep. Waters, CCW Help Launch ZEPS Buses

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Complete Coach Works (CCW) President Dale Carson were on hand to help celebrate the ribbon cutting and deployment of five CCW Zero Emission Propulsion System (ZEPS) battery electric buses delivered to GTrans, Gardena, CA. [More]

Industry Briefs

Here are some brief news items from public transit agencies across the U.S. [More]

ANALYSIS

Fuel Costs Matter to Public Transit Systems' Bottom Lines; Expert Examines Short- and Long-term Effects of Fuel Costs

Compared with other public entities, public transportation is a fuel-intensive industry and therefore the cost of energy used to operate vehicles is a major budget item. [More]

COMMENTARY

Ticket to Ride: One Rider's View of a City and its Public Transit System

A rider of The Rapid set out to experience every route in the system’s bus network and write about his travels for the system’s blog. Here’s a brief look at what he’s discovered about his city and public transit system so far. [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]