News Headlines

Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood on September 1 announced new universal standards for bi-level rail cars to be used in intercity passenger rail. The standards, developed with input from APTA, will ultimately influence the development of rail cars for high-speed rail. In addition, said LaHood, they will "provide an unprecedented opportunity for manufacturers in the U.S. ... to build a strong, stable manufacturing base."

Joseph Szabo, administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, called the standard "a milestone in the history of rail transportation" that will reduce acquisition and repair costs and enable easier training.

A new campaign from Americans for Transportation Mobility (ATM) and the Transportation Construction Coalition calls on Americans to urge their members of Congress to act now to pass surface transportation authorization. The campaign held an event on August 31 featuring Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC); it also includes billboards and a web site. APTA is a member of the ATM Management Committee.

Telling Our Story: Ten Seconds and a Few Words from You

You can help public transportation systems and businesses around the country by signing and forwarding the APTA Telling Our Story petition urging Congress to pass authorization now. You sign your name every day on credit card slips and personal checks. This time, your signature can really have a meaningful impact. And don't forget to forward the petition to your friends and colleagues.

It takes just a few seconds, but every name makes a difference!

Save the Date

Less than one month remains until the 2010 APTA Annual Meeting in San Antonio. There is simply no better venue for learning new management practices, finding new business partners and clients, picking up new technical tips, and making useful contacts in the public transportation industry. Spaces are still available, so register today.

In the Media

A New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority subway operator managed to stop his train after a woman walked off the platform and onto the tracks, CBS News reported.

APTA Chair M.P. Carter's "Telling Our Story" initiative was the subject of a writeup in the Memphis Tri-State Defender newspaper.

C-SPAN broadcast a video of the Mass Transit Panel of the Aspen Security Forum, which included APTA President William Millar.

The environmental blog CleanSkies discussed the upcoming return of streetcars to Washington, DC.