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Friday, April 20, marked the last day in the seven-week training for the most recent class of NFTA Metro drivers. In order to graduate, potential drivers must undergo a written exam and a rigorous road test for their Class B Commercial Driver’s License. They also receive extensive customer service training and driving practice with an instructor for exposure to Metro's expansive system.
“The training is extremely intense and is designed that way so that we can provide all of the students with the proper education and necessary tools to best serve the public and our riding community. I am so proud to meet the new group of drivers, and I hope that everyone will stay safe, be on-time and nice to our riders. These individuals truly are the face of NFTA Metro, and I hope that they all enjoy a long and rewarding career with us,” said Tom George, Director of Public Transit.
Broome County will received roughly $2 million in federal Department of Transportation funding to buy hybrid electric buses, New York Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced Tuesday.
The $2,040,000 in funding, which comes from the DOT-administered Bus and Bus Facilities Program, will be used to replace the county's older diesel buses and will fund three hybrids.
"BC Transit's service is a lifeline for Broome County residents and this new vital funding will allow them to purchase new fuel efficient, hybrid buses that will save bus riders money and help the environment all at the same time," Schumer said in a statement.
Westchester County’s bus system was awarded a $3.6 million federal grant for the purchase of new vehicles.
Congresswoman Nita Lowey said the grant will help ensure residents continue to have access to safe and efficient transportation.
“Thousands of Westchester residents depend on a reliable public transportation system in their daily lives,” she said.
Awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation under the Bus and Bus Facilities Competitive Grant Program, the money will be used to replace, rehabilitate and buy buses and related equipment, lawmakers said in a joint statement.
Come join The Mobility Innovation Summit in Rochester, NY May 16 and 17.
Discuss the latest developments in the shared mobility realm including innovations in transit service, carsharing, electric vehicles, bikesharing, volunteer transportation networks, vanpooling programs and more.
Check out the speakers and schedule here. Register today!
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo toured MTA New York City Transit's 207th Street Car Overhaul Shop with MTA Chairman Joseph Lhota and announced a series of accelerated car repairs associated with the full funding of the Subway Action Plan. The 207th Street Overhaul Shop along with the system's other overhaul shop in Coney Island will now fully rehabilitate more than 1,300 cars a year - nearly 40 percent more than previous years. The full funding secured in the FY 2019 state budget will allow New York City Transit to significantly enhance the number of workers hired as part of the Subway Action Plan and allow the MTA's car overhaul shops to be fully staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
"The subway system is the lifeblood of New York City, and the newly fully funded Subway Action Plan is essential to deliver a mass transit system of the caliber that New York's economy and people require and deserve," Governor Cuomo said. "Enhancing the reliability of subway cars leads to fewer delays and better performance for riders, and we are determined to further modernize the system quicker than had ever previously been thought possible."
States must receive FTA certification by April 15, 2019 or new federal transit funds cannot be awarded.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced that Arizona, Georgia, and Pennsylvania have obtained federal certification of their rail transit State Safety Oversight (SSO) Programs, in advance of an important safety deadline.
Federal law requires states with rail transit systems to obtain FTA certification of their SSO Programs by April 15, 2019. By federal law, the deadline cannot be waived or extended.
The world’s largest automaker is getting into the ride-sharing business as it prepares for a world with fewer cars.
Volkswagen’s Moia brand unveiled on a much-anticipated vehicle for its first ride-hailing service. The vehicle is a six-seater, all-electric minibus with a 186-mile range and USB ports, reading lights, and Wi-Fi for each passenger. A user will be able to hail the minivan using a custom app, and algorithms will optimize the ride-sharing by matching customers with similar destinations.
With the City of Selah now partnering with Medstar Transportation, a company who runs their Dial-A-Ride service for the city, they are able to make all their bus services available to the public free of charge.
"No longer do they need a bus pass to ride Selah Transit, and they don't have to pay the two dollars to ride on Dial-A-Ride," said Director of Transportation at Medstar Betsy Dunbar.
City Administrator Don Wayman says before the city was under contract with the City of Yakima for several years. The contract has now expired and they found a private transportation service that's cheaper and also created more bus stop routes within the city that stop at Costco, Winco, Fred Meyers and the Valley Mall.
 The NYPTA group on LinkedIn was built to aid transit professionals in getting fresh perspectives on issues facing transit systems and suppliers. This group is designed to be an open forum to share questions and expertise in the transit industry. We encourage you to join us to discuss challenges, funding, procurement, mobility, TNCs, maintenance, lobbying, best training practices, what the future holds for public transit, and how we can work together to Keep NY Moving.
Online registration is now open for Exhibitors and Sponsors as well as for Full Conference and RTAP Attendees. Join your public transit colleagues from around the state, and business partners from all over the nation, to learn and exchange ideas about how transit and community leaders successfully partner to implement and reform transit, new street design, technology to enhance the rider experience, and overall community investment.
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