TRANSIT NEWS
Buffalo, NY: Bus driver Darnell Barton had just picked up 20 McKinley High School students eager to get home on a
recent Friday afternoon.They had to wait a little longer than usual while Barton saved a woman's life and taught them an unexpected lesson in human compassion.

MTA Long Island Rail Road President Helena E. Williams and Assemblywoman Barbara Clark unveiled the newly renovated and enhanced Queens Village LIRR Station on October 30, 2013. As a part of the project, workers have installed two new heavy duty elevators, one each serving the eastbound and westbound platforms. The new elevators are aesthetically integrated into the historic station building and platforms.

STATE NEWS
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that Sergio Paneque has been appointed Chief Procurement
Officer at the New York State Office of General Services (OGS). “I am pleased to welcome Sergio Paneque to my administration as Chief Procurement Officer, where he will be instrumental in achieving cost efficiency and savings for taxpayers in a wide variety of state contracts,” Governor Cuomo said. “His considerable experience will be vital in improving the bottom line for New York State and local governments, as well as in meeting our MWBE goals and ensuring a level playing field for all businesses that contract with the State.”

FEDERAL NEWS
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) recently announced the availability
of $29 million in competitive research funds for innovative public transportation projects that will help ensure safe and reliable transit service for riders of America’s public transportation systems. The grants will help transit agencies strengthen operational safety, better withstand natural disasters and other emergencies, and improve emergency response capabilities.

NEWS OF INTEREST
Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton unveiled the name of the new Phoenix Metro bike share system Monday at the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) conference. “GR:D” (pronounced grid) will begin before the end of the year and pledges to have 500 bikes in service in Phoenix by February 2014.

Waiting for his bus home from Downtown on Tuesday, Jack King was surprised to hear Pittsburgh ranks eighth among large cities where people commute to work by means other than cars. "It's cheaper. The gas, the oil and parking is immensely expensive. The bus, in the end, saves me money," King, 52, of Brighton Heights, said.

Seventy-one percent of people who responded to the "Metro Atlanta Speaks" survey to be released early Friday by the Atlanta Regional Commission say improved public transportation is “very important” for the Atlanta region’s growth. When asked about the best way to address traffic challenges in the region, 41 percent cite improvements in public transportation, while 30 percent say the solution is better roads and highways, according to SaportaReport.com.

BUSINESS PARTNER NEWS
A heartfelt thank you to our 2013 Fall Conference & Expo Exhibitors and Sponsors. Your support of our annual conference enhances the program on every level! Take a look at our Conference & Expo Video: http://youtu.be/-Wx0unElytk. Enjoy!