Tuesday Transit News provides timely information on the latest developments in the transit industry. Don't forget to share your news and information with us! Email info@nytransit.org. Stay informed, and Keep New York Moving.
TCAT Breaks Ridership Records Again!
TCAT General Manager Joe Turcotte announced today that TCAT has broken ridership records in 2012 for the sixth consecutive year. TCAT reported nearly 4.13 million annual trips in 2012, a 4.7 percent increase from the nearly 3.95 million trips in 2011. “We are fortunate to live in a community that whole‑heartedly embraces its public transit system,” Turcotte said. “We are also blessed with dedicated team of bus operators, maintenance crew and an administrative staff who all work together – day in and day out – to make sure our system is the best of its size in the country.”
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Federal Transit Benefits Raised to $245 per Month, Retroactive Payments Clarified
Transit riders will be able to receive even higher federal transit benefits -- and get back money for last year's transit costs. The Internal Revenue Service has adjusted the maximum transit and parking benefits for up to $245 per month from $240 to take into account inflation. That comes after Congress raised the limit earlier this month for transit riders from $125 per month to $240 per month to match parking benefits as part of the "fiscal cliff" deal. The IRS also issued guidance to employers on how to pull off a puzzling aspect of that legislation, which called for making the $240 transit benefits retroactive for 2012.
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Mass-transit Task Force to Seek Tappan Zee Bridge Input
Starting next month, the public will have the chance to provide input to a task force charged with figuring out transit options for the new Tappan Zee Bridge. State officials said future meetings of the recently formed Tappan Zee Mass Transit Task Force will be open to residents. The 28-member task force met Friday morning in Tarrytown, but its two-hour session was closed to the public and the media. It was the second meeting of the task force — which comprises elected officials from Rockland, Westchester and Putnam counties, along with individuals from private regional organizations — since it was created last month.
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A Guide to America's Most Ambitious Transit Projects
First, the good news: there are 721 fixed guideway transit projects being planned in American cities. These include commuter rail, subways, streetcars, and certain bus lines, and would create or improve networks in 109 regions, providing transit access to millions of households and jobs. The bad news? With current federal funding levels, it would take 78 years to construct the two-thirds of those lines that have cost estimates. These are some of the conclusions of the Transit Space Race 2013, an exhaustive data project undertaken by the nonprofit Reconnecting America. With information from planning documents, reporting, and talks with local officials, the group has updated its 2011 Space Race, and the number of projects has increased from 643 to 721.
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TRANSIT AWARENESS DAY!
LEND YOUR VOICE! Join us March 4-5 for the Invest in Transit: Keep New York Moving! Transit Awareness Day program. The two-day event includes an Invest in Transit rally, meetings with lawmakers, a legislative reception and industry displays. The program will take place in The Well of the Legislative Office Building (LOB) in Albany. Lend your voice. Register today!
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Upcoming Events!
Transit Awareness Day
March 4 & 5, 2013
The Well, Albany
Principles of Transit Management
April 23-25
The Desmond, Albany
Partners in Progress Fall Conference & Expo
September 11 & 12
Saratoga Springs, NY