TRANSIT NEWS

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has commended six rail and mass transit agencies from across the nation for earning TSA’s highest rating of “Gold Standard” on their 2013 Baseline Assessments for Security Enhancement for their dedication to building a strong security program. The six agencies recognized for achieving the Gold Standard in 2013 are: Sound Transit, Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, Hampton Roads Transit, South Florida Regional Transportation Authority/Tri-Rail, Valley Metro and Capital District Transportation Authority.

Centro’s $18.8 million state-of-the-art Transit Hub located in downtown Syracuse, N.Y. received Silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the United States Green Building Council for its green construction and design. The certification recognizes Centro’s participation in the voluntary LEED green building process and demonstrates the agency’s leadership, innovation, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility.

The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) is in high gear when it comes to going green. Leading the way for many public agencies, CDTA has several ongoing sustainable initiatives that have resulted in cost savings for the authority and better services for customers. The latest green initiative for CDTA is the installation of fully-automatic, high-speed garage doors in the Albany garage. The new doors assist CDTA’s efforts to conserve on energy and maintenance costs. For even more fiscal efficiency, the project was fully funded by grant money.

Getting on a bus for the first time can feel awkward for some. If the last bus you took was a yellow school bus, you might be due for a refresher course. RTS has scheduled a “How to Ride the Bus” transit orientation for 10 a.m. to noon, Tuesday, April 29, at Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA). John G. Doyle Jr. Administration Building located at 1372 East Main Street, Rochester. The orientation is the first of a series designed to help guide first-time riders of any age or those who might need a brush up. All are free and open to the public.

Gather with industry leaders and experts to discuss the present state of transportation project funding.  This event is an opportunity to be a part of the solution, working with our leaders to help establish better means of financing, regulating and completing our infrastructure projects.  Our business economy depends upon it.

FEDERAL NEWS

Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced that President Obama plans to provide lawmakers with a legislative proposal for renewing federal transportation spending.
Foxx said that the Obama administration will soon issue a draft of a proposed MAP-21 reauthorization bill, reversing the president's 2012 decision to defer the details on funding levels to Congress.

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

WASHINGTON — A survey out this week from The Rockefeller Foundation and Transportation for America finds that the majority of Millennials want to be less reliant on cars. It found that Millennials want low cost transit and multiple options for getting around a city. More than half of respondents said they would consider moving to another city if it had better access to public transportation. And 66% listed high quality transportation as a top factor in deciding where to live.

BOSTON — The MBTA celebrated Earth Day by launching several customer service enhancements to make public transit even easier. “As part of our ongoing effort to make the MBTA more customer-friendly and convenient to use, these three new improvements will make trip planning and way finding easier than ever,” said MBTA General Manager Dr. Beverly Scott in a statement.

CONCORD — New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont are cooperating on a more than $1.7 million project to create a northern New England traffic network of traveler information. Public safety and highway crews also will use the system as they mount responses to traffic accidents and changing weather. “It will be very cool,” said Denise Markow, who oversees the state’s Transportation Management Center.  The data hub would let Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island join later, if they want. Third party vendors, such as websites and television stations, could access the information to develop mobile applications for commuter use.

NIAGARA, ONTARIO — Niagara’s two New Democrat MPPs said expanding GO Transit daily commuter train service to Niagara is key if this region is to emerge from 10 years of troubling economic times. Niagara Falls riding MPP Wayne Gates said Premier Kathleen Wynne pointed out in March that 33,000 new jobs would be created by bringing full-day, two-way GO train service between Waterloo region and the Greater Toronto Area.

DALLAS — Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) is the fourth largest metropolitan area in the country. Based on land area, it’s the second largest. This is particularly important considering that 10 counties in the DFW region are rated by the Environmental Protection Agency as nonattainment areas for ground-level ozone. DART has a long history of successfully implementing alternative fuels.

NYPTA TRAINING AND EVENTS

Mobility Management Technologies for Creating
Sustainable Operations and Accessibility
Presented by RouteMatch Software
Thursday, June 19, 2014 | 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

In this session, conference attendees will learn how Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) are utilized to ease the complexities of coordination. Software and hardware components of ITS technologies allow coordinating agencies to respond to both fixed and on-demand trip requests, coordinate trips among different providers, and directly communicate with customers through call centers, web portals, and mobile applications. Regional agency coordination best practices will be presented so attendees can view firsthand how technologies have played a large role in sustaining costs while increasing services.  Registration is Free!

2014 NY Public Transit Fall Expo

We invite transit industry manufacturers, vendors and service providers to reserve your space at the 2014 New York Public Transit Fall Expo, September 16-18 at the Saratoga City Center in Saratoga Springs. It’s your chance to market your solutions to more than 150 public transportation leaders from across the State.  Expanded hours give you a greater opportunity to make important connections.  Call Mike Cocca at 518.434.9060 for your exhibitor prospectus, or email info@nytransit.org.