New York State County Highway Superintendents Association News & Views
 

Tuesday,  July 24, 2018

NYS Transit Industry News

NYSDOT/Baitfish Training 2018 

The NYSDOT’s Public Transportation Safety Board (PTSB) is pleased to announce the schedule for a training class in the Bus Accident Management and Investigation, Accident Preventability and Hazard Assessment and Mitigation (BAITFISH) program. These classes will be presented at various locations throughout the state in 2018. The intent of this program is to facilitate with the PTSB’s Rules and Regulations Part 990.12 requiring the completion of a comprehensive accident investigation course. These classes provide training assistance to all bus systems throughout NYS who may not have the staffing or financial resources to obtain this training out of state or by private providers.

 

CDPHP Cycle! Unveils Exclusive "Unicorn" Bikes

Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) and CDPHP announced the addition of 12 specialty bikes to the CDPHP Cycle! fleet of 350 spanning Albany, Schenectady, Troy and Saratoga Springs. The bikes – dubbed ‘unicorns’ – feature designs that promote the partnering companies’ products and services, including:

  • CDTA – Mobility options Capital Region residents want and need
  • CDPHP The Foundation – The new philanthropic arm of CDPHP
  • CDPHP Fitness Connect – Free fitness centers located throughout the Capital Region
  • CDPHP Life Points – An incentive program available to most CDPHP members
  • CDPHP Insights – The vibrant CDPHP online survey community
  • CDPHP Embrace Health – The most popular and personalized CDPHP health plan

Bike designs will be rolled out throughout each of the four cities CDPHP Cycle! serves over the next three days. Riders are encouraged to find unicorns and snap photos with them tagging @CDPHPCycle and using the hashtag #cdphpcycleunicorns. For every unicorn bike ride taken during the rest of the CDPHP Cycle! season, CDTA will make a contribution to CDPHP The Foundation. In addition, Rose & Kiernan, Inc., an insurance agency that works closely with both CDTA and CDPHP, has agreed to match contributions up to $1,000.

 

Plattsburgh Transit Company to Expand

A major expansion of an existing transportation business at Plattsburgh International Airport is expected to bring dozens of new jobs to the area.

Vapor Stone Rail Systems, a division of Wabtec Corporation, plans to expand its operations and create 52 new jobs.

The company, known for its public transit components, has been operating in Plattsburgh since 1998 and will lease 60,000 square feet of manufacturing and warehouse space adjacent to the airport facility.

 

State Government Affairs

With Six Days Until the Law is Set to Expire, Governor Cuomo Issues Analysis: Speed Cameras Save Lives

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently released a DOT analysis of recent data and studies that confirm speed cameras save lives. The analysis underscores the need for the Senate to reconvene and vote to pass legislation to reauthorize and expand the photos speed violation monitoring systems or speed cameras program for school speed zones in New York City. Governor Cuomo has staunchly supported the speed camera program, introducing his own program bill, and the Assembly passed similar legislation during the 2018 legislative session.

 

Federal Developments

USDOT Begins a New Era of Public Transit Safety

Last week, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) issued two final regulations to strengthen the safety of public transportation systems, the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan rule and the Safety Certification Training Program rule. With these actions, FTA has completed the regulatory framework for the National Public Transportation Safety Program as authorized by Congress.

Around the Country

Lyft Will Offer Discounts to People Who Use Bikes and Scooters to Connect to Transit

Fresh off its purchase of the largest bike-share operator in the US, Lyft says it’s adding incentives and discounts to encourage more people to use bikes and scooters, especially to and from mass transit hubs. The goal is to get more people to abandon their personal cars in favor of mobility services owned and operated by the ride-sharing company.

Earlier this month, Lyft acquired Motivate, which runs Citi Bike in New York City and Ford’s GoBike program in San Francisco, for a reported $250 million. Since then, the company has been working to integrate bikes and scooters into its platform “from the ground up,” Lyft’s co-founders said in a Medium post Monday.

 

DCTA to Offer Free A-train Rides to University Students

The Denton County, TX, Transportation Authority will offer local college students free A-train commuter rail rides between the Trinity Mills Station in Carrollton and the Downtown Denton Transit Center starting August 27.

DCTA’s A-train starts at the Downtown Denton Transit Center and ends at the DART Trinity Mills Station where it connects with the DART green line. The A-train stops in Denton, Highland Village, Lewisville and Carrolton, TX.

Faculty, staff and students at UNT, North Central Texas College and Texas Woman’s University can participate in the free promotion, which ends on January 14, 2019, by presenting their university identification.

 

FALL CONFERENCE UPDATE

Electric Bus Innovations

Learn about electric buses, along with garage and route charging. This is just one part of our Maintenance and Operations Track during our Fall Conference, October 23-25 in Albany! 

The entire conference features a robust program with international and national speakers and an all-new conference app to enhance the experience for both attendees and exhibitors. Don't miss this one-of-a-kind professional development opportunity for transit leaders, maintenance directors, mobility managers and anyone with a passion for public transit. 

Register here today and be a part of the 2018 Public Transit and The Mobility Movement. 

 

 
 
 
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New York Public Transit
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United States

Ph: 518-434-9060 | 518-426-7092
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