MARCH 2013
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International News
The newly elected Pope Francis is a long-time fan of public transportation. So much so that, even after being elected, he opted to take a bus when leaving the Sistine Chapel following his election. National News The American Public Transit Association cites high gas prices and increases in people returning to regular employment as contributors to near-record mass transit ridership across the nation in 2012. Those numbers include double-digit hikes in light rail ridership in a number of cities, with Memphis seeing the highest increase at 28.4%. Read about it in Mother Nature Network. State News Metro-North Railroad is set to launch its greatest expansion of its schedule in over 30 years in early April. The expansion will increase the number of trains the system runs by 5.6% overall each week. A panel created by Governor Cuomo to explore possibilities for improving mass transit along I-287 as part of the Tappan Zee Bridge replacement project says that sales taxes and tolls may be the means to fund future projects. The task force is expediting the formation of a separate committee to focus on funding options, moving up plans for talks from this summer to next month. Buffalo’s Metro Rail Line is becoming an economic driver on the state’s western frontier as the expansion of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus is leading to the investment of over $90 million in real estate projects near the subway stations. Read about it in the Buffalo News. Association News NYPTA emailed transit system members last week with a survey about challenges to ADA Compliance. That survey will help New York State Department of Transportation/PTSB and the team At Central New York Regional Transportation Authority to tailor the May 23 training to meet specific needs of our members. If you haven’t yet responded, please do so now. Click here to take the survey. Dutchess County is accepting bid proposals for Heavy Duty and Medium Duty Transit Buses with Accessory Options. Vendors interested in additional information can visit http://www.dutchessny.gov, select “Quick Links” from the left column, and click the link for “Bidding and RFP’s”. There are only 6 spots left for the Principals of Transit Management workshop at The Desmond hotel in Albany, April 23-25. Register today to secure a place for this informative event. Visit the link here to register. |
About NYPTA The New York Public Transit Association, Inc. (NYPTA) is a not-for-profit association of public transportation service providers, private sector manufacturers and consultants, and state government agencies. The Association was formed in 1983 by representatives of the transit industry committed to the advancement of public transportation in New York State. After 30 years of operation, NYPTA remains devoted to public transportation development and representing the mass transportation needs of the riding public. |
New York Public Transit Association, Inc. 136 Everett Road Albany, NY 12205 United States 518-434-9060 ph • info@nytransit.org • www.nytransit.org |