The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) announced a contract has been awarded to Creighton Manning Engineering, LLP to help continue advancement of its 40 miles of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in the Capital Region. The work includes assistance on detailed design work of service plans, transit centers in Troy and Guilderland as well as the region’s first dedicated busway through the UAlbany and Harriman Campuses.

New York state leaders are set to slam the brakes on the cash-strapped MTA's push to fill a $14 billion hole in its $32 billion capital plan, the Daily News has learned. Several lawmakers say the political will is not there to address the issue before the legislative session ends later this month. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has been looking for help from state, federal and city governments as well as the private sector.

 

The New York City Council has approved plans for SL Green Realty Corp. to build its 63-story One Vanderbilt office tower. Located directly west of Grand Central Terminal, One Vanderbilt is projected to create 5,200 construction jobs and 190 permanent union jobs. SL Green will invest an unprecedented $220 million in public infrastructure, constructing new, direct subway access points and circulation areas, easing platform and mezzanine crowding and allowing trains to move more quickly through the station at peak hours.

 

Two members of a New York City public transit riders’ advocacy group handed out copies of their new book, a collection of stories about conditions on board Metropolitan Transit Authority services. Dedicated to Governor Cuomo, with a message telling him “this book would not have been possible without you,” the book aims to persuade lawmakers to close a $15 billion funding gap in the M.T.A.’s five-year capital plan. If the deficit is not closed, riders’ experiences will only get worse, according to the book’s publisher, the Riders Alliance.

President Obama on Friday signed a two-month extension of highway funding into law, the White House announced in an evening statement.  The measure, dubbed the Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2015, extends several aspects of infrastructure funding through the end of July.  The stopgap measure represents the 33rd temporary fix for road project funding since 2008, leading to some uncertainty among states for major highway plans.

 

Amtrak said it would begin installing cameras intended to monitor the actions of engineers driving locomotives like the one that derailed in Philadelphia two weeks ago, killing eight passengers. Newer locomotives that operate between Washington and Boston are already equipped with wiring for the inward-facing cameras, but none have been installed, said Joseph Boardman, the railroad’s chief executive.

Washington, DC -- In May, the annual savings for public transit riders was $9,524, according to the American Public Transportation Association's (APTA) May Transit Savings Report. Individuals who ride public transportation instead of driving can also save, on average, more than $794 per month. The savings are based on the cost of commuting by public transportation compared to the cost of owning and driving a vehicle, which includes the May 27 average national gas price of $2.74 per gallon — reported by AAA — and the national unreserved monthly parking rate numbers.

 

Dallas, TX -- Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), one of the U.S.' largest public transportation agencies, is continuing its major fleet transition from diesel to compressed natural gas (CNG) with an order for 63 additional CNG buses. Morgan Lyons, a DART spokesperson, said the 63 new CNG vehicles will go toward replacing the agency’s remaining diesel models and help put the its bus fleet on track to becoming completely diesel-free by 2017.

 

Hartford, CT -- The budget deal cobbled together Sunday morning would fund the first seven years of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's ambitious $100 billion transportation proposal by setting aside part of the income from the sales tax. That agreement would keep the sales tax steady at 6.35 percent, but direct 0.5 percent of that to a dedicated fund for transportation. Malloy's staff said the money would be enough to cover the first seven to 10 years of his 30-year plan to rebuild and dramatically expand Connecticut's network of highways, bridges, rail lines, bus services, and pedestrian and bike trails.

NYS Public Transit CONNECTIONS Conference: Sponsorships and Exhibit Booths on Sale!

Get connected at the largest annual gathering of public transportation managers and professionals in New York State, October 27-29 in Rochester.

Sponsors, increase your visibility and leverage your support of New York Public Transit. Exhibitors, tell your story to more than 200 transit professionals and make valuable CONNECTIONS!  Reserve your sponsorship and booth exhibit early!

USDOT Webinar: Let's Talk Performance Series
June 9, 2015, 2:00-3:30 PM EST

The Let's Talk Performance Webinar Series is a recurring USDOT webinar series that aims to:

• Broach new topics in transportation performance management
• Present unique perspectives from a variety of agencies
• Provide a forum for collaboration with fellow practitioners

A working group comprised of national stakeholders and USDOT staff vets topics selected for the Let's Talk Performance Webinar Series. The performance management concepts explored during each webinar will appeal to all transportation professionals.

Fundamentals of Transportation Data Part 2
Share examples of how agencies overcome internal IT, leadership, and resource issues that inhibit their ability to create data management and performance data programs. Register Now!