June 11, 2013

Nearly 74% of respondents in a recent survey conducted by the Mineta Transportation Institute said they would approve the spending of a portion of their tax dollars to expand and improve public transportation in their communities.  That’s an increase of nearly 5% in positive responses for the same question in last year’s survey.  The results were reported by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) at its Annual Rail Conference last week.  Read more here.

The Sierra Club, the Natural Resources Defense Council and APTA are preparing and recruiting for their eight annual National Dump the Pump Day on June 20.  First started in 2006, when American gas prices topped $3 for the first time, Dump the Pump Day encourages Americans to leave their cars at home and try public transportation for a day. Last year, almost 150 public transportation agencies participated with special events to help spread the word.  To learn more and download a participation kit, click here.

STATE NEWS

New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli released a new report last week entitled, “Private Financing of Public Infrastructure: Risks and Options for New York State.”  The new report recognizes potential benefits of private-public partnerships like those being considered for funding of the new Tappan Zee Bridge, while carefully outlining potential risks that will need to be managed as the state explores pursuing new types of design-build-finance agreements for infrastructure improvements.  Read the report here.

Up to $750 million in potential funding for economic development projects in New York State is available in the third round of Regional Economic Development Council competition, according to an announcement last week by the Empire State Development Council.  That amount includes $220 million to be used to implement regional economic development strategies outlined by the 10 regional councils created by Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2011.  To learn more about the funding and application process, click here.

 

MEMBER NEWS

Rochesterians are having a public transit celebration of their own on June 20 with “ROC Transit Day.”  The grassroots campaign is providing Rochester area employers with free all-day bus passes and involving dozens of local businesses with giveaways and live entertainment throughout the day.  Read more at www.roctransitday.com.

 

Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) has partnered local governments and community agencies in a new coordinated service plan offering wheelchair accessible taxicabs in four counties in the region, a first in upstate New York.  The new cabs are a great example of a public-private partnership to enhance mobility services and were warmly welcomed by members of the senior and disabled communities on hand for the launch.  At left, Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings and Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy watch a client board one of the new cabs. Read more here.

NYPTA is pleased to announce that nationally known executive leadership consultant Doug Eadie will present a workshop at the Partners in Progress 2013 Fall Conference and Expo in Saratoga Springs September 11 and 12.  Eadie is a widely published author and speaker on not-for-profit leadership, whose latest book is Leading Out of the Box Change. From now until the conference, we'll be featuring videos from Doug's leadership blog.  This week's video features former NYPTA President and former Port Authority of Allegeny County Chief Executive Steve Bland.  Click the image below to listen.

Watch your email for more exciting conference news beginning June 15th!

THIS WEEK IN NYPTA SOCIAL MEDIA

NYPTA LinkedIn discussion group member Albert Karoly of NYSDOT shared an article from San Francisco’s StreetsBlog about a new video that helps the city’s MUNI drivers share the road with cyclists.  The video was a product of a partnership between the San Francisco Metropolitan Transportation Agency and the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition.  See the post on the NYPTA LinkedIn discussion group.