News Headlines

A new report from the Urban Land Institute finds that a variety of social trends will mean that homes in dense, walkable communities near public transportation will continue to increase in value more quickly than other areas. Finding Certainty in Uncertain Times reports: "Another certainty is that diverse policy initiatives both inside and outside traditional land use planning regulation are rapidly coming to recognize that the location of a  building is as important to energy efficiency as how that building is designed and built. This is why states like Maryland, Massachusetts, and California are working to find ways to encourage more compact, transit-oriented development and why the federal government is placing a growing emphasis on coordinated transportation and land use planning."

As featured in last week's Passenger Transport, a report from the Department of the Treasury and the Council of Economic Advisers, An Economic Analysis Of Infrastructure Investment, recommends immediate investment in the nation's infrastructure, given high unemployment, low costs of construction, increasing demand, and the ability of such investment to create jobs quickly.
 
The report calls for increased focus on public transportation, citing the Charlotte (NC) light rail system as an "Infrastructure Success Story."

President Obama discussed the report's findings in an Oct. 11 meeting with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, selected governors, mayors, and former secretaries of transportation. It was also the basis for Obama's remarks that day reiterating his plan for immediate infrastructure investment, first announced on Labor Day.

APTA's newly published 2010 Annual Report is now available on the APTA web site. It highlights the association's many efforts in telling the story of public transportation throughout the year, through communication, legislative, and advocacy, as well as conferences, standards development, workforce development, and other activities.

Save the Date

The full calendar of 2011 APTA meetings is now available on the APTA web site. Register early to save your place and take advantage of lodging and other discounts.

In the Media

The Las Vegas Sun reported on Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood's remarks at the Western High-Speed Rail Alliance conference.

The Waterloo-Cedar Falls (IA) Courier reported on an AARP survey finding that transportation was at the top among the respondents' priorities.

National Journal's blog on transportation featured an article about next week's Rail~Volution conference, in Portland, OR.