By the end of the year, the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) expects to conclude a $1.5 million federally funded study outlining options to possibly expand its 30-year-old Metro rail system. "We've narrowed it down to four alternatives and we started with 36," noted NFTA Executive Director Kimberly Minkel. All of four of them involve connecting the University at Buffalo's South Campus on Main Street to its North Campus in Amherst.

For the first time in 25 years, a new subway station has opened in New York City. The new 34 St-Hudson Yards Station is a modern marvel with 21st Century amenities that introduces subway service to the far West Side of midtown Manhattan, fostering transit-oriented development in the emerging, mixed-use community there. “This station is the centerpiece of an ambitious plan to make the far West Side of Manhattan a top-tier destination for residents and visitors alike while meeting the daily needs of millions of subway riders, and one that is poised to meet future needs,” Governor Andrew M. Cuomo said.

Three Albany technicians will represent the Capital District Transportation Authority at the international APTA (American Public Transportation Association) competition.  Ken Stager, Jr., Eric Ford and Joe Ruotolo were the winners at CDTA’s 10th annual Bus Maintenance Roadeo. The national competition will held in Charlotte, North Carolina in May of 2016.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced there will be an increased number of trains and buses to support the expected amount of travelers during Pope Francis' visit. The MTA will also have additional crew on hand to coincide with the papal events. “We are proud to host Pope Francis here in New York, and we are working to expand mass transit options to ensure that everyone can travel safely and securely during this time," Governor Cuomo said.

The Department of Transportation has updated its Highway Trust Fund ticker to say that the federal government is now projected to run out of money for infrastructure projects in June 2016, six months later than previously expected.  The agency says that an $8 billion extension passed by Congress in July for the beleaguered highway fund will cover payments to states for transportation projects until the end of the third quarter of the 2016 fiscal year.

The transportation sector gained 7,300 jobs in August as the national unemployment rate fell to 5.1 percent, according to statistics released by the Department of Labor on Friday. The Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) said there were 4,795,000 jobs in transportation in August, compared to 4,787,700 in July. The public transit industry gained 1,000 jobs, going from 473,500 in July to 474,500 last month.

West Hartford, CT -- Declaring that CTfastrak has been a bigger success than expected, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy led a brief ceremony Wednesday to mark the busway's millionth passenger trip. Malloy said central Connecticut's estimated $567 million bus rapid transit system is attracting thousands more daily riders than planners had projected, and proclaimed it is "driving business development in this corridor."

Montpelier, Vt. -- Secretary of Transportation Sue Minter is resigning from her position to run for governor. Minter, 54, is a Harvard graduate and former four-term House lawmaker from Waterbury. She has been considering a run for governor for months, but said she made a final decision only in the last few days. "Vermonters are looking for a leader to make Vermont work," Minter told WPTZ. "I'm going to be that governor." Chris Cole will succeed her as transportation secretary.

Dallas  -- Amtrak passenger service that runs on tracks owned by freight rail companies may be curtailed unless Congress extends a Dec. 31 deadline to implement a safety system that was mandated seven years ago. December 2018 would be “more realistic” for implementing the technology, which automatically stops trains to prevent a collision or unsafe speeds.

NYS Public Transit Industry CONNECTIONS Conference & Expo. October 27-29 | Rochester, NY
 

Save $100 by registering by October 6th.  Register here.

Take advantage of:

 

Sponsorships are still available!
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.  A range of sponsorship levels are still available to meet your marketing needs and objectives.
Learn more about Sponsorship Opportunities
 

Exhibitors
Make valuable CONNECTIONS with transit professionals and build important relationships on how your company can provide solutions to their daily challenges.

Learn more about Exhibitor Opportunities
For questions regarding sponsorship or exhibiting, contact NYPTA at 518-434-9060 or email info@nytransit.org.

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The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Announces New Webinar on the Next Generation Traveler Information System

The USDOT's Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Professional Capacity Building Program (PCB) will host a free Talking Technology and Transportation (T3) Webinar to discuss current and emerging technologies in traveler information systems.

The webinar, entitled "Next Generation Traveler Information System," will be held on September 23, 2015, from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm EST.

Title: Next Generation Traveler Information System
Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Time: 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm EST
Professional Development Hours (PDH): 1.5

Register here. More information here.