TRANSIT SYSTEM NEWS

Rochester Genesee Regional Transit Authority’s CEO Bill Carpenter announced that Ontario County’s transit service (CATS) is now officially part of the RGRTA family. The announcement follows a decision that was made earlier by the Ontario County Board of Supervisors on May 8, 2014.The service will continue to be called Ontario County Transportation Service (CATS). RGRTA will provide centralized infrastructure and oversight for all administrative and operating functions.

The MTA's new budget plan includes a number of service enhancements for New York City Transit, Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad customers. The service enhancements are all part of the MTA’s 2015 - 2018 financial plan, which includes $363 million in safety improvements, $125 million in increased operations and maintenance costs and $20 million in added service system wide.

The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) Board of Directors released the Annual Route Performance Report at its monthly meeting held at the Rensselaer Rail Station. The report focuses on ridership and productivity, offers a description of major service changes and service recommendations for the upcoming year. The key findings of the report show that a majority of CDTA routes are above productivity thresholds with nearly all routes above 15 riders per hour.

STATE NEWS

Washington had the third most-used transit system in the U.S. in 2013, narrowly edging out Athens, Georgia (home to University of Georgia), and Boston. With 99.6 trips per resident, Washington trailed San Francisco (131.5 trips per resident) by a significant margin. And both were dwarfed by New York (229.8), which is operating on a completely different scale. It’s clear why New York is the only U.S. system to register on the international level. Most of New York’s trips were on the MTA subway (62 percent), followed by MTA buses (21 percent), NJ Transit buses (4 percent) and LIRR commuter trains (3 percent).

FEDERAL NEWS

The Senate approved the House's Highway Trust Fund (HTF) fix July 31 by a vote of 81-13, sending the bill to President Obama for his signature. The president was expected to sign the bill. The legislation provides approximately $10.8 billion in offsets to support transfers of general funds into the HTF. It also extends the authorizations for public transit, highway, and highway safety programs funded from the HTF until May 31.

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

DENVER - Think "millennials," and a host of images pop up: smart phones, tattoos, an affection for craft beer, and an allergy to owning cars. This generation of young people, roughly 14 to 34, is the subject of intense research from marketers to demographers, all trying to determine how they will impact our culture. And all they want it is bike lanes. At least, that's what the head of a downtown business coalition in the millennial-hub of Denver thinks.

NEW YORK - Transit agencies in the U.S. looking to expand rail lines are getting into the real-estate-development business to raise revenue. According to a study released by industry group American Public Transportation Association in 2013, property values within walking distance of public transit stations were 41.6% higher than other properties in the same region. Cash-strapped public transit systems in cities such as Washington and San Francisco have moved to take advantage of the rise in values of property near train stations.

INDIANAPOLIS - The 19th installment of BusCon moves to Indianapolis’ Indiana Convention Center, Halls F & G, following several years in Chicago Sept. 15 to 17, bringing focused education and plenty of buses and technology. BusCon will again offer the largest quantity and widest variety of vehicle and products on show floor, giving attendees the chance to see more than 60 buses of all sizes and types, including alternative-fueled vehicles, up-close and personal.

NYPTA TRAINING AND EVENTS

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. Don't wait!
Save $100 by registering by August 27th. Register online NOW!

Five reasons to attend...
1. Get Smarter by attending transit industry-focused educational sessions.
2. Hear policy updates from federal and state officials.
3. Meet directly with leading vendors who understand your daily challenges and have solutions to offer.
4. Exchange ideas with colleagues in the lounge, on the expo floor, and in education sessions.
5. Explore beautiful Saratoga Springs 

EXPO SPACES STILL AVAILABLE -- Reserve Yours Today!
Still haven't reserved your expo booth? The Hall is filling up fast.  Reserve your booth space today!

Questions? Contact us at 518-434-9060 or info@nytransit.org.

JOIN YOUR FELLOW BUSINESS PARTNERS ON THE SPONSORSHIP LIST

Sponsorship is a great way to promote your products and services to transit professionals from across the state.
 
Reserve today and receive special recognition through e-blasts, conference communications, and the conference website.

Sponsorships include:

• Tuesday’s Early Arrival Reception in Bus Display Area - $4,500

• Wednesday’s Keynote Luncheon - $6,500

• NYPTA Talks on Transit & Innovation General Session - $4,500

• Lanyards (Your company provides the lanyards) - $4,500

• Breakout Sessions - $3,500 per track

• Mobility Management Education Track - $3,500

• Conference Program Book - $3,000

Opportunities are available to suit any need and any budget.  We can tailor one to fit your needs.  Call us at 518-434-9060 to customize a sponsorship for you!

NYS Public Transit Leadership Institute       Deadline Extended: Register Today!

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. The deadline has been extended, so click here for more information on this exciting new program. Register online here.