TRANSIT SYSTEM NEWS

For the third year in a row, Centro is offering Central New Yorkers who use its popular State Fair Park-N-Ride bus service the option of purchasing discounted bus passes either online or at any of the 20+ Central New York sales locations. The passes offer riders a discount on round-trip bus fare from more than a dozen Park-N-Ride Express locations across Central New York. Fairgoers can also enter to win FREE State Fair Park-N-Ride Express Passes. Each day between July 24, 2014 and August 14, 2014 Centro will be giving away a round-trip State Fair Park-N-Ride Express Pass to one lucky contest winner.

RGRTA’s Chief Operating Officer Daniele Coll-Gonzalez has announced that Michael P. DeRaddo was named the transit authority’s new regional director, effective July 7. As Regional Director, DeRaddo will be responsible for all of RGRTA’s subsidiary transit operations in seven counties: Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne and Wyoming. DeRaddo will also oversee operations in Ontario County, when it joins RGRTA on Aug. 1, 2014.

STATE NEWS

The New York State Thruway Authority has tapped Kapsch TrafficCom (KTC) to develop, install and provide technical support for an All Electronic Tolling (AET) system. This new system eliminates the need for Thruway drivers to stop or slow down at tolling points. By enabling toll transactions to be completed at highway speeds, the company noted that the “AET system facilitates free-flowing traffic across multiple lanes to minimize congestion.”

Congressman Joe Crowley (D-Bronx, Queens) has introduced a bill that he believes will improve the health of Queens residents and the Citi Bike sharing program. The Bike to Work Act of 2014 would add bike sharing programs which already exist in numerous states and cities to the federal law that allows tax breaks for workers using mass transit to commute to and from work. He said it would have the added benefit of encouraging the expansion of the Citi Bike program into Queens.

FEDERAL NEWS

With a major infrastructure spending bill hanging in the balance, Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx on Monday compared Congress to shopping with his grandmother when she would tell him to put the toy back on the shelf because they were just browsing. “Well, I learned later what ‘browsing’ meant. Browsing meant we have no intention of coming back to get that toy,” he said. “That’s what Congress is doing. Every time they do another [short-term] patch, they’re just driving another nail into the idea that America’s going to solve our long-term transportation problems.”

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) doesn't want travelers ignoring its digital messaging signs along Missouri highways, and has adopted a new tone to keep drivers tuned in. MoDOT uses electronic message boards called Dynamic Messaging Signs (DMS) to provide needed information to motorists. Missouri DMS boards have been given a hint of sarcasm and humor to resonate with Missouri motorists, which is a growing trend among states, and they are being noticed. Many Missouri drivers are going to social media and stating their approval of these new signs with comments such as “Shout out to MoDOT for the entertaining, informative, signage on my drive from Nebraska to STL! Favorite: Not buckled up? Seriously?”

BELOIT, WI -- A statewide group is hoping a constitutional amendment will ensure the transportation fund is used mostly for Wisconsin’s roadways rather than for other purposes. Craig Thompson, executive director of the Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin, said “When we pay income tax and sales tax, that goes into the general fund. When you fill up your tank in your car you pay a gas tax...that goes to a separate fund in the transportation fund. Those dollars are supposed to be used for the upkeep of the transportation system. That includes, not just roads and bridges, but our transit system as well.”

BOSTON, MA -- According to a new Boston Globe poll, Massachusetts voters — particularly, conservative voters — are sensitive to whether their taxes will go toward infrastructure upgrades nearby. Support for taxes to fund statewide road improvements was split nearly evenly, with 49 percent in favor and 48 percent against. But support for increased taxes for local road and bridge projects outweighed disapproval by 20 percentage points — 57 percent in favor, compared with 37 percent opposed.

NETHERLANDS -- Getting on a train always involves a certain amount of guesswork. You don't know where the train will stop on the platform or where you should stand to get a seat. One car might be full, another nearly empty. Inevitably, you're stuck boarding the former (or running madly for the latter). In the Netherlands, a new system designed to reduce shuffling on the platform tells riders exactly where to stand to get an open seat. It's a 590-foot-long LED screen that hangs above the train platform and uses intuitive color-coding and symbols to show exactly where to stand to make boarding easier once the train arrives.

NYPTA TRAINING AND EVENTS

2014 NY PUBLIC TRANSIT FALL CONFERENCE & EXPO    REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN 

The New York Public Transit SOLUTIONS Conference & Expo is the State's largest annual gathering of public transportation managers and professionals and the premier source for professional development. Local and nationally recognized industry leaders present on a wide range of topics, including funding, compliance, maintenance, employee motivation and more.

Join us to hear industry leaders “tell their stories” on innovative management and transit solutions.  At the NYPTA Talks General Session, speakers include:

• Polly Trottenberg, Commissioner, NYC Department of Transportation on Creating a World Class BRT System (in the world's greatest city)

• Dr. Paul Marciano, President, Whiteboard, LLC  on Creating a Culture of Employee Engagement  

• Robert Noonan, Chief of Public Safety and Security Director, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority on What the Boston Marathon Bombing Taught Me About Crisis Management  

• Noah Berger, Director, Office of Planning & Program Development, U.S. DOT Federal Transit Administration, Region I on Paper Transit Maps: Best Marketing Tool Ever  

Our Maintenance & Operation Solution Track brings you hands-on discussions on important maintenance and operation topics presented by professionals who deal with these challenges on a daily basis.

The Transit Solutions Open Forum is your chance to share your insights, questions or ideas on various topics in casual discussions.   Register here

EXPO SPACES ARE STILL AVAILABLE – RESERVE YOURS TODAY

Transit industry manufacturers, vendors and service providers, reserve your space. 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. REGISTER HERE.  Need an exhibitor prospectus? Call Mike Cocca at 518.434.9060, or email info@nytransit.org.

NYS PUBLIC TRANSIT LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE   
DEADLINE EXTENDED: REGISTER TODAY!