TRANSIT SYSTEM NEWS

In fewer than 90 days, the long awaited RTS Transit Center will open its doors to the Greater Rochester community. The RTS Transit Center will help RTS transition from an outdated model and routing system to a highly efficient one that will provide service where and when customers need it most. Customers will able to board and transfer buses in the 87,000 square foot climate-controlled facility—with easy access to staffed information desks, ticket vending machines, rest rooms, bike racks, round-the-clock security, and more. According to the Rochester Downtown Development Corporation, RTS joins the national trend of urban core revival.

New routes, extensions and stops are among the $4.9 Million in bus enhancements the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is unveiling. One example will be the M12 route on the Far West Side of Manhattan to meet a demand for public transportation in an area of Manhattan that has experienced significant residential and commercial growth.

The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) has announced four finalists for its CDTA & Me storytelling initiative. Customers were invited to tell their CDTA story online, at Capital Region summer events and through social media channels. The finalists’ stories will be voted on through September 6 to determine the top storyteller. Nearly 1,000 riders have shared stories. The grand prize winner will earn a free year’s worth of rides on CDTA services while many other prizes will be awarded during the voting period.

STATE NEWS

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved $47.8 million in funding to strengthen 20 bridges that cross water and are vulnerable to foundation erosion in New York State. The funding is available through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which aims to increase resiliency, reduce hardship and mitigate the risks of loss and damage from natural disasters.

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Cleveland - Public transit in Greater Cleveland just got a big rejuvenating boost, said transit and government leaders who cut the ribbon Thursday on the new Red Line train station. The cause for celebration was the $18.5 million reconstruction of the transit stop that gives it a glassy, welcoming front door, a climate-controlled vestibule, a renovated train platform and better access for pedestrians and people with disabilities. Therese McMillan, acting administrator of the Federal Transit Administration, said demand for public transit is growing at the same time that aging stations need to be upgraded.

Dallas - Dallas Area Rapid Transit is trying to get an east-west transit connection along the Cotton Belt line in the northern suburbs. With no funding for passenger train service — which could cost $2.2 billion — available until 2035, the agency is instead eyeing bus rapid transit. It uses longer vehicles on dedicated lanes and roadways that other vehicles can’t drive on. It’s cheaper than rail and faster than normal bus service. Agency officials say they can pave roads alongside the Cotton Belt’s existing rail to run buses that don’t get caught in traffic like traditional routes.

Washington, DC - Housing costs are often the first thing to come to mind when we think about whether or not a city is affordable. That's largely true, but transportation costs also have a lot to do with it. HUD actually combines the two numbers into a single "location affordability" index. The importance of transportation costs in this equation—and, more specifically, the role of transit in reducing these costs—comes into clear focus in a series of new reports on city affordability from the Citizens Budget Commission.

NYPTA TRAINING AND EVENTS

Program Highlight

Leadership Track, September 17th &18th

Join in the discussion with industry experts talking about transit funding options, disaster responsiveness and improving contractor relationships. Sessions include:

• Funding Transit Infrastructure: What are the Options?

• Disaster Responsiveness: Your Approach to Decision Making When Disaster Strikes

• Procurement and Contractor Relationships Roundtable

• To learn more about the Leadership Track, visit www.nypublictransit2014solutions.org.

EXPO SPACES STILL AVAILABLE -- Reserve Yours Today!

Still haven't reserved your expo booth? 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 while the availabilities last…518-434-9060 or info@nytransit.org.

New York Public Transit Leadership Institute

NYPTA welcomes the first class of the New York Public Transit Leadership Institute. These future transit industry executives will begin their training at the New York Public Transit Solutions Conference & Expo on September 16^th in Saratoga Springs.

• James Ramos, Manager of Transit Center Operations, RTS

• Omar Alvarado, Senior Vice President & Scheduling Analyst, NICE Bus

• Richard Nasso, Jr., Assistant Superintendent, CDTA

• Joseph Landy, Assistant Superintendent, CDTA

• Larry Kaminski, Mobility Management Planner, Allegany/Western Steuben Rural Health Network

• James Morrell, Service manager, NFTA

Congratulations to this first class of tomorrow’s transit industry leaders!