Metro-Magazine.com News

UMA, NTA select Atlanta to host 2016 Travel Exchange

Inaugural event, held January 2013 in Orlando, Fla., brought together more than 3,600 tour and travel buyers and sellers, including 1,176 buyers from 632 companies.

TriMet FY 2014 budget includes bus, safety upgrades

The $485 million operating budget, which will take effect July 1, 2013, includes accelerating new bus purchases; increasing bus service on 14 lines; increasing light rail vehicle and track maintenance; and improving lighting and station renewal.

S.F. MTA to launch new website

The site will be easier to navigate and mobile device-friendly, designed to work on any smartphone or tablet. It will provide home page access to trip planning, service alerts from both 511 and the agency’s Twitter feed, and a “latest news” section.

Muni transit fee sought for big S.F. events

Surcharge would be tacked onto Giants baseball tickets and any other ticket to an event that draws more than 1,000 people and would help transit system make fleet upgrades.

IndyGo to begin more improvements in June

In February, the transit agency launched frequent service on its core lines, added weekend service and lengthened some hours of service.

Greyhound to use airline pricing model to boost profit

FirstGroup will spend as much $40 million on computerized yield-management technology to replace Greyhound’s flat-rate charging plan.

Expert suggests Capital Metro revamp fare system

Recommendations include some internal, behind-the-scenes changes that would improve the bottom line but not impact riders. Other recommendations would address customer concerns, such as eliminating the complicated zoned-fare structure for MetroRail and providing more equitable discounts for various pass types.

Court order may force Wisconsin DOT to improve transit

Judge found that DOT likely violated federal law when it failed to adequately study social and environmental impacts of plan to upgrade interchange without a public transit component.

Calif. agency unveils 2 Proterra buses

Company has more than tripled transit agency orders under contract for the company’s flagship EcoRide in the past 12 months alone and is planning for its current growth path to continue.

Parsons Brinckerhoff Calif. high-speed contract extended

Has served as the project’s program manager since 2006 and is assisting the California High Speed Rail Authority with all aspects of the program, including planning, environmental review, preliminary engineering, and testing and commissioning.

N.C. streetcar proposal gains acceptance after revamp

Previous proposals were rejected by the Charlotte City Council because they would have been funded through property taxes. The new plan includes $63 million in federal funds coupled with an equal amount of unspent funds from city coffers.

Metro-North railcar design saved passengers' lives

Were protected by strengthened railcar frames and designs intended to absorb and dissipate crash energy through the structures, rather than transferring it to passengers.

Edmonton Transit taps Axion plastic rail ties

The ties will be used for road crossing applications where the transit line’s rail tracks intersect with roads.

APTA: 56% of summer travelers will use public transportation

The five most popular cities for travel this summer are New York, Miami, Chicago, Orlando and San Francisco.

Transloc honored by White House as ‘Champion of Change’

Recognized for its leadership in rider-facing transit technology, and “having an incredibly positive and widespread impact on the way people think about and use public transit...” according to an FTA official. TransLoc powers N.C.-based Triangle Transit’s live bus tracking system, GoLive.

SEPTA completes $8.3M rail station reconstruction

Improvements to the Primos station include a new station building; installation of a "kiss and ride" drop-off area; Americans with Disabilities Act accessible high-level platforms on the inbound and outbound sides of the station; increased parking; and newly landscaped areas.

Report: Transit users predict increases in smartphone use, paperless travel

The survey of 4,500 urban travelers in nine major cities in Brazil, France, Germany, South Korea, Spain, the U.K. and the U.S. showed that approximately 90% of people in these cities use public transportation on a regular basis and they are willing to pay more for technology improvements.

NTSB defends study preceding Chinatown bus shutdowns

An advocacy group cited anomalies in how the board classified motorcoach operators and calculated fatality rates, raising doubts about the report's conclusion that curbside companies, including most Chinatown carriers, are about seven times more likely to have passenger deaths than companies using terminals.

Following derailment, Metro North to resume full service Wednesday

About 100 workers are on the job, which has been ongoing around the clock since Saturday night when the NTSB completed its initial investigation of the scene and allowed Metro-North to begin removing the two, eight-car trains.

DOT nominee Foxx prepares for confirmation hearing

Foxx, a second-term Democratic mayor of Charlotte, is relatively unknown in the capital that makes the traditional Capitol Hill meet-and-greet process for Cabinet nominees even more important.

Chicago Transit begins $425M Red Line project

The reconstruction will speed up round-trips between 95th Street and downtown and provide South Side customers with a smoother ride and fewer service interruptions through better reliability and on-time performance.

Calif. study links lack of transportation, poor health

Among the transit-dependent riders surveyed, more than eight in 10 have had difficulty getting to their jobs, social activities, school or doctor’s appointments.

Arlington Equipment unveils bus window installer

The VLSC 400 installs windows, window units and windshields regardless of shape, size, curvature and method of attachment to the vehicle.

U. of Wis. raising parking fee to cover transit

Plans to implement small permit fee increases over a six-year span to ensure future funding of its transportation services. The Transportation Services program has had to tap into its reserves to continue funding its services.

U. of Hawaii unveils bus tracking app

The University of Hawaii at Manoa is trying to increase ridership and create a strict, on-time schedule for its shuttles. It paid $15,960 for the app as well as the system of wireless transmitters installed in the buses.

Real-time bus arrival signage being added at Boston Logan Airport

A new Rental Car Center will start operating this fall with a unified bus system that will replace more than 90 rental car company buses and Massport shuttle buses with 28 new 60-foot articulated buses.

Mississippi St. partners for parking app

Provides near real-time insight on available parking, including policy information for specific campus lots.

Minn. Metro renames Hiawatha light rail Blue Line

The Metro system will include the Metro Red Line bus rapid transit on Cedar Avenue, which begins service June 22, and Metro Green Line light rail service between the downtown areas in both St. Paul and Minneapolis, with service beginning in mid-2014.

FMCSA orders Ill. to cease operations

The owner of Illini Tours, Robert L. Frazier, is also the owner of Lex Express Inc./Lincolnland Express, a passenger carrier ordered to shut down by FMCSA in December 2012 for multiple violations, including making false entries on vehicle maintenance records.

First Transit wins Ala. shuttle contract

Service will operate throughout the 323-acre campus.

During summer break, Iowa State U. transit to enhance facilities

Will implement its bus stop improvement plan and begin construction work to expand its headquarters.

Calif.'s NCTD reaches agreement with contractor

The agreement provides for the implementation of new procedures for communicating critical information between Veolia, its maintenance subcontractor, Bombardier Transportation and NCTD, and the early identification of risks within Sprinter operations and maintenance.

Ann Arbor approves funds for U. of Mich. project

Under an agreement with the university, the city is using the money to pay for installation of telecommunications fiber, sensors and electronic equipment, as well as some network support.

Veolia names King Northeast Transit VP

John King has been the GM for the company’s Prince George’s County contract since 2006. In that time, under his direction, service grew to nearly 1,200 daily trips, with 245 employees and 93 buses.

Amtrak upgrades Wi-Fi service

The 4G upgrade is already complete on Acela Express and the California-supported Capitol Corridor, Pacific Surfliner and San Joaquin services, and will be rolled out to all remaining Wi-Fi-equipped Amtrak trains by late summer, including the Northeast Regional.

Seattle expands smart card purchase options

More than 120 retail stores just joined the 40 transit agency venues that sell ORCA cards. Prior to ORCA, regional transit agencies each had their own tickets, passes and paper transfers.

Report: Reduction in driving likely to continue in U.S.

The Millennial generation is leading the change in transportation trends. Sixteen to 34-year-olds drove a whopping 23% fewer miles on average in 2009 than in 2001 — the greatest decline in driving of any age group.

Md. MTA adding 10 New Flyer diesel-electric artics

The new additions expand MTA’s fleet of 60-foot Xcelsior hybrid buses to a total of 52 and will be on the street in time for the Preakness Stakes this weekend.

MCI delivers to Ill., Pa., Texas

Chicago’s Pace Suburban Bus ordered 13 Commuter Coaches, with an option for 37 more. Meanwhile, York County, Penn.’s rabbittransit took delivery of three new MCI Commuter Coaches, and Beaumont, Texas’ Sun Travel Trailways received its very first MCI J4500.

MARTA revises streetcar contract

New amount covers improvements to the project’s design and scope and also provides for an additional 7% contingency that could be used to cover unforeseen site conditions along the project route that may arise during construction.

L.A. Metro driver assault suspect arrested

Anthony Gamez was taken into custody on an Orange Line bus after the on-duty bus operator recognized him from photographs displayed on a “wanted” poster distributed earlier in the day.

Honolulu light rail announces art program

Will highlight work created by artists who have a strong understanding of and affinity for Hawaii’s history and culture. The art will be displayed at the 21 stations along the rail route and at the train control center in Waipahu.

FMCSA orders Mexican bus co. to cease U.S. operations

Safety investigators found that Autobuses Zacatecanos failed to ensure that its vehicles were systematically and properly inspected, repaired and maintained. Onsite inspections of the carrier’s four buses revealed such numerous and serious safety violations that all four vehicles were immediately declared out of service.

CapMetro offers new pass for younger travelers

The card, designed for students 6 to18, acts as a transit pass and offers discounts at local destinations such as restaurants and cinemas.

Updated: Calif. Sprinter light rail system to resume service

Follows the completion of extensive safety testing, the review of replacement parts, and inspections of the overall vehicle and railroad infrastructure by the FRA and the California Public Utilities Commission.

Siemens acquires Invensys Rail

Invensys will be integrated into the rail automation business of the Mobility and Logistics Division. Former Invensys Rail President and CEO John Paljug will become head of Siemens U.S. Rail Automation business, headquartered in New York, N.Y. More than 500 Invensys employees will be joining Siemens Rail Automation.

MBCR achieved 97% on-time performance in April

This was the highest monthly on-time performance recorded since 2006 and the fourth-highest since July, 2003. The level of service in April capped a seven-month stretch marked by harsh winter weather conditions and impacts caused by Hurricane Sandy.

LIRR adds auto queuing system at Penn Station

The new system just recently became operational and immediately proved its value, speeding up the sales process and making clear to customers which of 12 ticket windows were open for business.

Kawasaki celebrates 25 years of manufacturing in N.Y.

During the past quarter-century, the manufacturer has sustained hundreds of jobs, while producing more than 2,500 railcars at its plant, which sits in the heart of the Northeast Corridor. Kawasaki is currently working on the next generation of the 7 line subway cars that will be supplied to New York City Transit.

Chicago Transit adds Train Tracker features

Was launched in 2011 to provide estimated train arrival times for all 145 rail stations across CTA’s eight lines. Estimated times are generated through a combination of scheduling information and data generated by software that monitors the signal system to indicate when a portion of track is occupied by a train.