Syracuse is among the top 15 metros with the largest declines in automobile commuting. Ithaca is number two among the lowest percentages of people commuting by car. That’s according to a report by the U.S. Census Bureau on automobile commuting between 2006 and 2013.

The MTA Metro-North Railroad has received a federal grant of $20.8 million to harden Metro-North’s Hudson Line against future storm surge flooding events of the type experienced during Super storm Sandy. Metro-North intends to place its communications, power and signal electrical components on raised steel platforms in an effort to prevent damage from corrosive salt water in the event of another storm surge along the Hudson Line in the next 50 years.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo's dispute with the federal government over how to pay for a new Hudson River rail tunnel boiled over into a war of words with President Barack Obama's transportation secretary. A Cuomo spokeswoman said Secretary Anthony Foxx was uttering "Washington double speak" when Foxx's spokesman questioned Cuomo's assertion that the federal government had to commit a significant investment in the project before it could move forward. Cuomo said earlier in the day that the federal government should pay the "lion's share" of the estimated $14 billion tunnel project.

A person can save an average of $9,472 per year when using public transportation to commute instead of a car, according to the American Public Transportation Association's (APTA) August Transit Savings Report — a savings of more than $789 every month. The savings are based on the cost of commuting by public transportation compared with the cost of owning and driving a vehicle, including parking expenses and fuel prices based on current national averages.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced a proposed rule to establish a Public Transportation Safety Program. The proposed rule would create an overall framework for FTA to monitor, oversee and enforce safety in the public transit industry. It  would implement FTA’s authority to conduct inspections, audits, and examinations; testing of equipment, facilities, rolling stock, and the operations of a public transit systems; and for FTA to take appropriate enforcement actions.

Brattleboro, VT -- The region's two bus companies have completed a deal that creates one single company to manage public transit service throughout Windham County and portions of Windsor County. Connecticut River Transit transferred its assets to Deerfield Valley Transit Association and the new company will now operate as Southeast Vermont Transit. Southeast Vermont Transit will provide nearly a half million rides annually with 55 buses, and the company is expected to gross nearly $7 million in operating income.

Philadelphia -- Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) GM Joseph M. Casey, who has led the Authority since 2008, announced his retirement. After a total of 34 years of distinguished service in a number of roles, Casey will retire as GM on September 30, 2015. After being named GM in 1982, Casey created a dedicated Customer Service and Advocacy Division and focused SEPTA on the "Four Cs" — Cleanliness, Convenience, Courtesy and Communication.

Toronto, ON -- Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is launching a talking buses pilot, enabling customers to now hear their bus pull up to their stop and announce to them where it’s going. The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act requires transit agencies in the province to equip their buses, by 2017, with electronic systems that externally announce route, direction, destination or next major stop information.

Maximize Your Marketing Dollars and Become a CONNECTIONS Sponsor Today!

NYPTA is dedicated to meeting the needs of the state's transit industry. The high quality programming provided is directly linked to the support we receive. The knowledge and experience you bring allows us to make a difference in promoting and supporting New York's transit professionals!

As a sponsor, you gain statewide exposure and your company profile is raised while also demonstrating strong support for NYPTA's mission in providing solution-based training.  Become a sponsor of our Fall Conference and Expo today.  A range of sponsorship levels are still available to meet your marketing needs and objectives.

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Space is going fast at the CONNECTIONS Expo! Don't miss this opportunity. Public transit professionals from agencies across the state will gather in Rochester and will be looking for innovative and cost-effective solutions for the challenges of their business. Your company has the opportunity to:

• Introduce new products or services;
• Strengthen your relationship with existing clients;
• Prospect for new business; and
• Improve your visibility to this exclusive audience.

We have a growing list of new exhibitors and many of our returning vendors are already reserving their space. See the current list and check it out!

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For Questions, contact NYPTA at 518-434-9060 or email info@nytransit.org.