MEMBER NEWS

The board of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) approved a contract with Kawasaki Rail Car Inc. for up to $1.83 billion to design and build the next generation of railcars for the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad. The MTA expects up to 676 cars will be assembled at Kawasaki’s plant in Yonkers, N.Y., and anticipates up to 1,500 people will be employed in New York State.

Last Friday, Long Island joined 1,500 cities in 40 countries around the world in observing Car Free Day, which began in 2000. The event has been organized by the Long Island Rail Road's Transit Solutions program and the New York State Department of Transportation 511NYRideshare program, and has been supported by businesses and transit providers, including the Nassau Inter-County Express and the North Shore-LIJ Health System. As of Thursday last week 2,300 people had taken the pledge to leave their cars at home.

The County of Schuyler will receive sealed proposals for the purchase of a One-Call/One-Click Transportation Resource Center Software, according to specifications. Detail for proposals submissions are included in the RFP document. The RFP and other relevant documents can be obtained by email: schuylercountytransit@arcofschuyler.org, or from Amber Simmons, Mobility Manager, The Arc of Schuyler, 203 12th St., Watkins Glen, NY 14891 between the hours of 8:30AM to 4:30PM on or after September 25^th, 2013. Phone: 607-535-6934.

Westchester County is seeking proposals for the operation and maintenance of its Bee-Line Bus System.  Please go to www.westchestergov.com/rfp for more information.

STATE NEWS

On September 19, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced $48 million in grants for transportation upgrades to leverage $80 million in federal, state and local funding. The funding is part of the Governor’s Transit and Aviation Capital Grants programs and the Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program and includes $21 million in Transit Capital Grants to 14 municipalities and transportation authorities. In addition to upgrades to existing facilities and equipment, the grants are expected to put 50 new clean fueled buses on the road. To read the full press release and view a list of grants, click the link at right.

FEDERAL NEWS

Transportation advocates are pressing Congress to pass a ports and waterways funding bill this year. Their hope is that if the Congress can agree on the ports bill, it could move other infrastructure spending bills forward. The House's push to approval a water bill is its first attempt to pass a major piece of legislation since a funding bill for the departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development was pulled from consideration this summer.

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Last week MBTA transit police honored four Watertown emergency responders for helping save the life of transit officer Richard "Dic" Donahue after a violent shootout with the two Boston Marathon bombing suspects on April 19. The honors were given out at a commendation ceremony at Faneuil Hall in Boston where MBTA officers were given awards for their actions and bravery.

Houston Metro bus drivers are on the move! "Move Metro Move," is a wellness initiative launched by the Transport Workers Union/Metropolitan Transit Authority Health & Welfare Trust, the union that represents Houston Metro bus drivers and maintenance workers. After an initial assessment, participants get their move on and have nothing to lose but weight and plenty to gain in terms of health and wealth - and they do it all in a group setting with support from people they see every day at work.