NYS Transit Industry News

RTS Releases Consultant Recommendation for Fixed-Route Transit System in Monroe County, Announces Next Steps of Reimagine RTS 

Regional Transit Service (RTS) released the completed report and recommendation from Transportation Management & Design (TMD) for the fixed-route transit system in Monroe County. This milestone represents the end of TMD’s work on Reimagine RTS, which is the end of Stage 1 of the redesign process.

At a press conference, RTS CEO Bill Carpenter recapped the study process to date, and shared the details of what TMD recommends for the fixed-route system. He also introduced a companion report created by RTS that outlines the next steps of Reimagine RTS and highlights feedback from the community that will be addressed in upcoming stages of the process.

NICE Bus Provider Names New CEO 

Jack Khzouz took over the role of chief executive officer for the Nassau Inter-County Express, or NICE Bus, last week. Khzouz replaces Michael Setzer, who led NICE since its inception in 2012.

Khzouz, 55, has been with NICE — a subsidiary of Illinois-based Transdev North America — for six years, most recently in the role of chief administrative officer. NICE officials said Khzouz played a key role in “virtually every major initiative designed to optimize customer service, system performance and safety,” including the development of NICE’s mobile fare payment and real-time information app, a GPS-based fleet management system, and the new Link on-demand bus service.

“I’m excited to take the reins of an organization that has the potential to evolve into a truly 21st Century suite of transit services,” Khzouz, of Fairfield County, Connecticut, said in a statement. “The future of transit will be defined by being responsive, nimble and flexible to rider demands, while making Nassau County’s dollars go further as we provide better services for transit riders.”

State Government Affairs

Governor Cuomo Announces Appointments To Metropolitan Transportation Sustainability Advisory Workgroup

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo appointed Kathryn S. Wylde and Rhonda Herman to serve on the Metropolitan Transportation Sustainability Advisory Group, a panel established under the 2018-19 New York State Budget and tasked with making recommendations on strategies to improve and fund public transit in the New York City region.

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Federal Developments

Secretary Chao Renews Commitment to U.S. Infrastructure with $45 Million INFRA Grant

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao recently joined Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) at a formal grant announcement marking the award of $45,000,000 to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for the LA 23 Belle Chasse Bridge and Tunnel Replacement project. The funding is provided through the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) discretionary grant program.

Around the Country

Curbing Uber Won’t Relieve Heavy Traffic

Are ride-sharing and -hailing services like Uber and Lyft causing road congestion? This has been the perception in cities across the country, and the companies have come under fire for it. In New York City, it has led to a proposal to curb, for a year, for-hire-vehicle companies from adding new driver's licenses (except for wheelchair-accessible vehicles).

Will proposals to limit ride hailing succeed at reducing road congestion? In New York, the answer can be found in a report by the mayor’s office. This $2 million study was conducted by McKinsey and other consultants to investigate whether ride-hailing companies have worsened traffic in the city.

Looking Into Boston's Transit Future

Although they face many challenges today, state transportation officials are looking well into the future and planning for Boston's transit needs over the next two decades.

A draft plan released by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and MBTA, titled Focus40, lays out plans for the MBTA for the next 20 years, and the report says it "reflects what the region will need to be sustainable, livable, equitable, and economically competitive."

The 65-page report includes what is being done in the next five years to improve the MBTA, including replacing Orange, Red and Green Line trains, extending the Green Line and implementing a new fare collection system. The document also lays out what's being planned between now and 2040, including connecting the Blue and Red lines, providing a pedestrian connection between State Street and Downtown Crossing stations, implementing platform barriers and doors and expanding bus service.

FALL CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHT

The RTS WAY: Optimizing Employees' Life Cycle Experience by Creating a Culture of Diversity & Inclusion 

Presented by Amy Gould, Executive Vice President of People,  &  Renee Elwood, Manager of Wellness & Benefits, RTS

Enjoy this intimate discussion surrounding current strategies around diversity and inclusion and how they impact systems of recruiting, onboarding, developing, recognition, and succession planning.

See you at the Albany Marriott October 23-25 for another conference that is sure to deliver valuable knowledge and networking opportunities. 

Register here today and see what the 2018 Public Transit and The Mobility Movement Conference buzz is all about! Register by September 14 and save $100.