TRANSIT SYSTEM NEWS

Metro-North continues its commitment to safety by marking 100 days of progress. On Wednesday, the railroad issued its 100-Day Report on the Action Plan established by President Joseph J. Giulietti, which focused the railroad’s efforts on improving safety, restoring reliability and improving communications. Of 32 initiatives established in the Action Plan, 21 have been fully implemented, seven are in progress and two will be pursued after outside entities submit independent reports.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is eyeing big changes to subway stations within the footprint of the proposed midtown east rezoning. In a recent, wide-ranging interview with Crain’s, MTA Chairman and CEO Thomas Prendergast said improvements would be needed at Grand Central Terminal, including the Lexington Avenue line and the shuttle to Times Square, and the E and F train station at 53rd Street and 5th Avenue, in order to accommodate more office workers that will come after the rezoning.

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer launched his push to secure an $18.4 million federal grant that would transform the Capital Region’s bus system by replacing its outdated dispatch and vehicle communication system.  Schumer announced that he is seeking the funding for this project through the federal Department of Transportation’s TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) Grant program, which provides funding for road, rail, transit and port projects that promise to achieve critical national objectives. The objective of this project is to use a new and functional dispatch/communications system to improve transit service safety, reliability, and efficiency.

They're among the busiest bus routes in Manhattan, shuttling more than 70,000 riders across town every weekday. But riders at 15 stops along the westbound M66, M79, M86 and M96 will soon have one more way of finding out just where that next bus is. The real-time bus signs are thanks to a city-funded measure pushed by an Upper East Side councilman in the city's latest round of Participatory Budgeting. They're also coming to the southbound M31 on York Avenue. "People from all over the district voted for bus clocks. It was something that they wanted and there was a need for,” said Councilman Ben Kallos.

FEDERAL NEWS

President Obama used the signing ceremony for a new waterways infrastructure bill to push Congress to strike similar bipartisan compromises on other priorities, including a highway funding deal. Obama said the waterways bill "hopefully sets a pattern for additional work we can do on our transportation infrastructure." He warned that more than 100,000 transportation projects could be stalled if lawmakers can't agree on a plan to keep the Highway Trust Fund solvent past this summer.

Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said that President Obama's proposed $302 billion transportation bill would give more control over infrastructure funding to cities and local governments. "Today, 65 percent of America’s population live in metropolitan areas — and 95 percent of all the transit miles traveled are traveled there. Metropolitan regions are the engines of our economy," Foxx wrote. "Yet only eight percent of core federal-aid highway funds are under local control."

STATE NEWS

State transportation department projects that are improving safety on all travel modes, expanding mobility for communities, reducing congestion on roadways, and providing additional transportation options, all while saving taxpayer dollars, were today named recipients of top honors in the northeast regional America's Transportation Awards competition.. In the Best Use of Innovation category, two winners were named: New York State Department of Transportation's I-84 Bridges over Dingle Ridge Road Replacement Project (small project) and District Department of Transportation's New York Avenue Bridge over Rail Tracks Rehabilitation Project (medium project).

Amtrak, in partnership with New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and Voices of Hope, has launched “Empire Service Rails to Recovery,” a new  program providing discounted rail fare for passengers and families traveling for treatment of life-threatening medical conditions. Qualifying passengers can receive a Buy One –Get One Free discount on state-supported Amtrak Empire Service trains operating in New York State. To qualify, passengers should visit the Voices of Hope website and register with one of 22participating member agencies. Once registered, the customer is directed to Amtrak.com to book travel and receive the discount.

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

WASHINGTON, DC -- Two-thirds of Americans, or 68 percent, want the federal government to invest more in roads, bridges and mass transit systems, according to the results of a AAA survey released on Tuesday. Additionally, 5 percent of respondents said the federal government should invest less, while 24 percent want transportation spending levels to remain the same. According to the survey results, 51 percent of respondents would be likely to vote for a member of Congress who supports increased federal spending on transportation.

WASHINGTON, DC -- A team of transportation groups have joined forces to create a new center dedicated to expanding mobility options through the integration of shared-use transportation options. The Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC), which will be headquartered in Chicago, was put together by a a team led by the Center for Neighborhood Technology the Transportation Sustainability Research Center of the Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, and the Transit Center.

NORWALK, CT -- Left with few options, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is rallying the support of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and other entities to help press the federal government for money to replace a 118-year-old rail bridge over the Norwalk River. Malloy said Connecticut's congressional delegation was pushing the federal government for the money and he is seeking the support of nearby states that depend on the New Haven Line tracks for Amtrak service.

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 service. Registration is Free!

Regional Training: Procurement

This unique program will address overcoming common procurement issues, and be will be offered in three convenient locations. There are certain findings that present themselves in all of the FTA Oversight reviews. James Harper, Director of the Office of Acquisition Management at the FTA, will discuss those common findings (deficiencies) and give suggestions on how grantees can eliminate them from your reviews and move beyond them. Space is limited, so register today!

Tuesday, June 24, 10am-2pm 
CNYRTA
Jerry Dietz Training Center
200 Cortland Ave, Syracuse, NY 13205  

Wednesday, June 25, 10am-2pm                       
Westchester County Department of Public Works & Transportation/Bee-Line Bus System
Westchester County Office Building, 8th Floor Conference Room
100 East First St., Mt. Vernon, NY  10550 (Directly across the street from Metro-North New Haven Line/Mt. Vernon West Railroad Station)

Thursday, June 26, 10am-2pm                        
NICE Bus (1st Floor Conference Room)
700 Commercial Ave., Garden City, NY 11530  

Our Newest Initiative – NYS Public Transit Leadership Institute

Will your agency be ready?  The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports one third of civilian employees working for State and Federal governments will retire in seven to ten years with 34% currently over the age of 50.  It is extremely important that our authorities, agencies and transit systems be able to minimize the leadership voids caused by retirements and other departures.  The Public Transit Leadership Institute (PTLI) will prepare future executives to lead when their time arrives and establish a path for senior managers who aspire to become transit industry leaders. PTLI provides knowledge, training and mentoring to our leaders of tomorrow.  Click here for more information on this exciting new program.

Register online here.

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.