The chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority was confirmed by the State Senate on Wednesday for a new term at the helm of the agency he has led for the last two years. As state lawmakers praised the chairman, Thomas F. Prendergast, at a confirmation hearing here on Wednesday, he made the case for why the authority needs more money from the state for its five-year capital plan.

Rockland commuters could enjoy a faster ride in Wi-Fi equipped double-decker buses on their way to train stations in Tarrytown and White Plains when the new Tappan Zee Bridge opens in three years. Department of Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald laid out the scenario of how the state plans to transform the existing Tappan ZEExpress bus service into stylish, state-of-the-art bus rapid transit.

The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) announced system ridership continues to rise two months into the new fiscal year at the monthly Board of Directors meeting. CDTA boarding count for the month of May was 1.39 million, which is ahead of last year’s numbers positioning the authority to further its record setting run. On the heels of that ridership increase: a new partnership with Fuller Road Management Corporation that will feature a Universal Access Arrangement for the more than 3,000 students, faculty and employees at the SUNY Polytechnic Institute College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering campus.

As the 2015 legislative session ended in overtime last week, many New York lawmakers claimed at least partial victory for their constituents with rent controls and property tax breaks. Some grumbled about missed ethics reforms in the six-month session that saw leaders of the Senate and Assembly benched by kickback scandals. Other unpassed bills would have raised the minimum wage, legalized mixed martial arts, rolled back part of New York’s gun-control law, prohibited discrimination based on gender orientation and raised the criminal age of responsibility from 16 to 18.

Breaking a deadlock that threatened federal highway funding, a bipartisan coalition of senators introduced a six-year bill that would boost overall spending on U.S. roads and bridges. Working against a July 31 deadline, the senators acknowledged that it will be an uphill effort to corral their Senate colleagues and the House to pass a bill. “There are three other committees, and both sides of the aisle, and they have to do their part as well,” said Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), who added that negotiations over the bill almost collapsed last week. “I think we need to do even more, but what a wonderful start this is.”

Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx is imploring Congress to find the money to pay for a plan to spend $275 billion on the nation's roads over the next six years that was approved by a Senate committee on Wednesday. The measure, known as the Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy (DRIVE) Act, calls for appropriating nearly $43 billion per year to the federal government's highway program until 2021 — if lawmakers can come up with a way to pay for it.

Nearly 2.6 billion trips were taken on U.S. public transportation in the first quarter of 2015, according to a report released today by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).  This ridership is slightly less than the 2014 ridership with a decrease of less than one percent (0.7%). “On a national level, public transit ridership was basically flat for the first quarter of 2015, although increases were seen on heavy rail (subways) and commuter rail,” said APTA President and CEO Michael Melaniphy. The heavy rail systems with first quarter increases in ridership included-MTA New York City Transit (0.9%).

Chicago, IL -- A long holiday weekend, budget fares and the convenience of a new GPS tracking system will draw more than 1.3 million passengers to intercity bus travel during the July Fourth holiday, according to the Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development at DePaul University. Researchers forecast a 6% increase in ridership compared to this time last year. “Summer is already a busy time for bus travel, but this holiday may bring record-setting volumes,” said Joseph Schwieterman, director of the Chaddick Institute. “Buses are the mode of choice for many travelers.”

Charleston, SC -- More residents and increased industry in the Charleston region creates opportunities for a booming commercial and residential real estate market, as well as challenges regarding inventory and infrastructure, according to panelists at the Charleston Regional Business Journal’s Power Breakfast last week. Panelists agreed that part of the creation of successful commercial and residential developments depends on improved transit. Heather Foley, executive director of the Urban Land Institute, said more investment is needed to create walkable communities and public transit that people want to use.

NYS Public Transit CONNECTIONS Conference: Sponsorships and Exhibit Booths are Still Available!

Don’t miss this great opportunity to get connected at the largest annual gathering of public transportation managers and professionals in New York State, October 27-29 in Rochester.

Sponsors, here is a great chance to increase your visibility in front of an exclusive audience that is 100% focused on transit, and show your support of New York Public Transit. There are sponsorships to fit your marketing budget and help reach your objectives.

More Sponsorship information and registration here.

Exhibitors, What better way to get maximum exposure at the New York Public Transit Industry CONNECTIONS Conference + Expo than by exhibiting in our expo? It’s your chance to tell your story, reach an exclusive audience of more than 200 decision makers in the public transportation industry and make valuable CONNECTIONS! Register now to get prime sponsorship opportunities and prime expo locations!

More Expo information and registration here.

After a successful first year, NYPTA looks forward to celebrating its Public Transit Leadership Institute (PTLI) graduating class of 2015, and welcoming the new PTLI Class of 2016.

NYPTA’s PTLI program offers future executives an inside look at transit management at the highest levels. PTLI’s mentor driven program provides one-on-one and small group platforms for real-life, real-time transit management learning and professional growth.

Please consider potential candidates, either yourself or one of your colleagues.  Nominations close August 1st.  Click here for a brochure outlining the PTLI program and eligibility requirements or register online here.