TRANSIT NEWS

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced two major steps forward in digital real-time communications provided to Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) customers. All buses in New York City now provide real time tracking on smartphones, through text messages and online. This allows customers to know how far away the next bus is at more than 22,000 bus stops serving every route in New York City. The data generated by MTA Bus Time is also used to study how buses operate their routes, in order to improve their performance.

 NYPTA Policy Director Bob Zerrillo represented NYPTA at the recent New York State Transportation Equity Alliance (NYSTEA) Conference in Albany.  Bob was on a panel titled “The Future of Funding for Mass Transit in New York State:  Reversing the trend of inadequate and unequal revenue”.  Panel members were optimistic that with both the Senate and Assembly supportive of additional aid for upstate and increased capital funding for non-MTA transit systems, the ultimate budget agreement would include action on transit aid.

The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) is proud to once again partner with Cancer Services Program of Albany and Rensselaer Counties to promote “Main Streets Go Blue.” Main Streets Go Blue is a statewide initiative to raise awareness about colorectal cancer, which can be prevented with recommended screenings. According to a new report out by the American Cancer Society, the rate at which people are diagnosed with colon cancer in the US has dropped 30% in the last 10 years for those aged 50 years and older.

FEDERAL NEWS

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced the award of $5 million in competitive funds to 42 American Indian and Alaska Native tribes in 19 states for projects to improve transit service. The Seneca Nation of Indians will receive $145,000 to improve its existing transit service and ensure safe, accessible, and coordinated transportation services for tribal members and other residents in western New York.

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

California: With more trains and buses to take, and the appeal of using travel time for pursuits other than dodging traffic, Americans are taking greater advantage of a renaissance in public transit, according to a new report. The number of rides taken on public buses, trains and subways has fully recovered from a dip during the Great Recession. And with services restored following economy-driven cutbacks, ridership appears set to resume what had been a steady increase.

The U.S. and Canadian motorcoach industry continues to show steady, solid growth as one of the most flexible, cost-effective and environmentally efficient modes of transportation, according to a new study released by the American Bus Association Foundation. The survey also found the motorcoach industry continues to be a small business success story with more than 94% of the industry operating fewer than 25 buses.
To view the entire report, click here.

Mobile ticketing, the process of buying fare on a mobile phone app, has rapidly gained popularly in the last couple of years. It can reduce the need for infrastructure, because riders already have the payment equipment in their smartphones, cut cost and the time riders spend waiting in line, as well as risk, and gather valuable rider data. Recently, Boston’s Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), Portland, Ore.-based TriMet, North County (Calif.) Transit District and Dallas Area Rapid Transitall rolled out ticketing apps.

San Francisco has been taking more steps toward improving Muni's on-time performance by making sure drivers know when they are in transit-only lanes. Since last year, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency has been coloring these types of lanes with red paint. "As a transit-first city, we need to be smart about how we improve transit to make it an attractive, reliable choice for San Franciscans," SFMTA Transportation Director Ed Reiskin said. "These lanes represent a low-cost measure to decrease travel time by reminding and preventing cars from using transit-only lanes."

Light rail, bus rapid transit, and streetcars are chalking up huge rises in property values along Cleveland, Ohio's Euclid Corridor, the Phoenix Tempe Metro Light Rail, and Eugene, Oregon's Emerald Express. Smart transit has the potential to create jobs, ignite development, and connect a city.

NYPTA TRAINING AND EVENTS

Public Transit Industry FREE Webinar Series
Developing a Succession Plan
Thursday, April 24 | 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Participants will focus on the process of developing a strong succession plan. You will learn how to identify key positions and leaders within your organization, and how to engage those people both inside and outside of the organization who will allow for continued growth as current leaders are phased out. Performance metrics and tracking of data will be discussed as tools for analyzing the progress of your succession plan. Registration is Free!

2014 NY Public Transit Industry Solutions Fall Conference Call for Presentations

We invite you to share YOUR transit solutions at the New York State Public Transit Fall Conference & Expo, September 16-18 in Saratoga Springs, NY.  As ridership increases throughout the State, the industry is evolving to meet the transit needs of our community and provide safe, reliable and consistent service to its riders.  We learn, connect, and grow by sharing our leading edge ideas with one another. Click here for the Call for Presentation form.