Metro-Magazine.com News

Wesleyan U. launches Zipcar program

Two self-service Zipcars — one Honda Insight Hybrid and one Subaru Impreza — will be available for use 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Virginia Tech honored for sustainability practices

Transportation, one of the categories rated that contributes to the university’s overall grade, received an 'A' for the third year in a row.

U. Washington offers transportation alternative

New type of U-Pass designed for those who also walk, bike.

USC asks focus group for campus transport input

Students report concern about cheaper parking, bicycle congestion and transportation safety issues.

Northern Iowa opens $11.5M campus transit facility

Eighty percent of the project was paid for through a federal grant. The rest was paid for through the college's parking fund. The grant also paid for new electronic equipment to display the bus schedules.

UNC-Charlotte, CATS, may revive campus shuttle

Campus shuttle service may come back after being canceled eight years ago for low usage.

Philly Transit strike ends

Systems operating again with service at about 80 percent of normal.

New Flyer: $265M in 3rd quarter orders

Orders are from both current and new customers and are for a variety of vehicle configurations and propulsion systems, including 35-, 40- and 60-foot buses with clean diesel, diesel-electric hybrid, gasoline-electric hybrid and compressed natural gas (CNG) propulsion systems.

Mo. U. names new safety, transportation director

Donald Clark spent 25 years with the Springfield Police Department, most recently serving as division commander, holding the rank of major.

MCI delivers 26 coaches to Minnesota

Metro Transit, a service of Metropolitan Council, is operating 19 of the new coaches on express routes that cover longer distances.

Gannett Fleming United Way donation up 16 percent

Special events at the firm's corporate headquarters this year included a kick-off breakfast with presentations by local United Way agencies, a sandwich sale fundraiser, a basket raffle featuring prizes donated by local merchants and a penny war.

FTA approves U. Arizona streetcar project phase

University and Tucson officials say the project addresses the need to connect some of the city's major centers, and will benefit students, local residents and visitors without further aggravating traffic.

Carmanah one of Canada's top green tech companies

Now celebrating its third year, the Cleantech 10 list is compiled annually by Corporate Knights Inc, an independent Canadian-based media company focused on fostering sustainable development in Canada.

Boise State U. students ride free on transit

Valley Regional Transit is working to increase ridership among students and increase awareness of the program.

D.C. Metro to appeal arbitration award for pay raises

Award gives front-line workers three consecutive 3 percent annual pay raises, part of a package that would cost the transit agency an additional $104.5 million over four years, officials said.

Senate confirms Ferro to head FMCSA

Anne Ferro is currently president of the Maryland Motor Truck Association and serves on several regional advisory committees relating to freight planning, highway safety and transportation funding.

Cubic to update San Fran gating, ticketing system

A long-time customer, Muni is partially funding the project with federal stimulus money. Installation of the new fare collection equipment is planned to start in late 2010 and will be fully operational by the spring of 2011.

CHSRA, SoCal cities to cooperate on high-speed rail

In other action, the CHSRA board set a January 15, 2010 deadline for "requests for expressions of interest" from local governments, public transportation agencies, private companies and others who want to participate in the planning, development and operation of maintenance facilities on the 800-mile network linking the state's major cities.

TV station tracks down rogue Atlanta operators

Visits 10 companies operating illegally.

AECOM acquires SSI Services Inc.

Acquired firm provides facility operations, maintenance and management; logistics support; and facility optimization analysis and planning for many industries, including transportation and U.S. federal, state and local governments.

Wabtec’s Vapor Rail to supply doors to Turkish rail

Contract valued at about $30 million to supply electric, sliding plug doors for 440 subway cars to the Marmaray project, which will connect the European and Asian sections of Istanbul upon completion in 2012.

Valley Metro opens new transit center, stations

The transit center will provide service for the Valley’s first arterial Bus Rapid Transit service, Main Street LINK, which began connecting the east valley to the light rail station last December. Valley Metro will also open 13 out of 26 LINK stations along the route.

U.S. DOT, FCC join to combat distracted driving

Officials from the U.S. DOT and FCC will establish a working group to evaluate technology-based solutions to the problem of distracted driving and will coordinate consumer outreach and education.

SEPTA investigating railroad car fire

The engineer reported heavy smoke aboard the train, and a full evacuation was immediately ordered. Within minutes of the safe evacuation of all passengers and the train crew, the lead car was fully engulfed in flames. A nearby Regional Rail train adjacent to the one on fire was also safely evacuated.

Riteway unveils safety video series

Covers topics related to public protection. Offered free of charge to local community groups and transportation industry professionals.

Prendergast to lead New York City Transit

Assumes his new role on December 1 and replaces Howard H. Roberts, who resigned Wednesday.

Ferguson to head Daimler Buses N.A. operations

After a successful tenure, Dr. Andreas Strecker is stepping down on December 31, 2009 as president/CEO to pursue other professional assignments.

Continental changes name to Trapeze ITS

Expanded product portfolio will allow optimal operations control and efficient vehicle utilization, as well as improving passenger information and ticketing, according to the company.

BART program attempts to keep riders

Saw record ridership during the emergency bridge closure, suggesting that many Bay Area residents can take public transit when the bridge is out -- but for various reasons don't do so regularly under normal conditions.

ABC makes multiple deliveries

Delivers two 3035REs, 10 Van Hool C2045Es and one Van Hool T2145 to New York, New Jersey, Virginia and Illinois.

UMA, NTA to co-locate shows in 2013

Groups first entered into a strategic partnership in late 2007 resulting in collaborative work at each association's annual event. Since then, UMA has managed the motorcoach exhibits at NTA's Convention and NTA has developed the "Destinations and Attractions" aisle at UMA's Motorcoach Expo.

So. Fla launches new security initiative

"Operation Transit Shield II" relies on customers to report suspicious or criminal activity that could disrupt rail service.

S.F. Muni installs camera system on trolley, bus fleet

Will use DriveCam as a tool to improve driving behavior, assess liability from collisions and reduce expenses incurred from such incidents that can include vehicle damage, worker’s compensation and personal injury.

Megabus.com survey: Bus travel saves money

Company also serves its four millionth customer.

MBTA honored for fighting sexual harrassment

In the 18 months since the first campaign was launched in April 2008, transit police made 28 arrests for indecent assault and battery --- a 40 percent increase over arrests made for the same offense in the 18 months before April 2008.

Halifax Metro Transit to add 45 Nova LFS Artics

Vehicle features include air conditioning, large windows for maximum light, wide doors and aisles for easy access and passenger flow.

APTA: Voters support transit at the polls

Colorado, Michigan, Maine and Ohio passed pro-transit initiatives.

Amtrak debuts new website design

An enhanced fare-finder feature consolidates all booking functionality – reservations, train status, schedule search and the “My Trip” section – into a single dynamic menu. Customers can now find the train they want by sorting by departure time, lowest cost and trip time.

Alstom wins UITP award for power system

Recognized for innovative product that brings added value in terms of efficiency, service and environmental protection. The APS ground-level supply system enables trams to travel without overhead catenaries.

FCCC achieves 'Zero Waste to Landfill Status'

Recognized by numerous governmental agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency, the FCCC facility recycles materials such as plastic, paper, aluminum, cardboard, metals, wood and nylon. FCCC is committed to not only reducing its environmental footprint with clean manufacturing efforts, but also to developing products that are green.

EPA takes action against SF Muni

This enforcement action stems from red dye diesel fuel - at least 39,000 gallons by EPA estimates -- being released from the Woods bus servicing facility.

Audit finds MARTA did not mishandle finances

Agency successfully extricated itself from two-thirds of these lease arrangements and is working diligently to resolve those few which still remain in effect. Even in the worst-case scenario, MARTA will wind up with a net profit.

Allison optimizes 2010 model year products

1000/2000 Series transmissions with Shift Energy Management (SEM) are now rated up to 340 horsepower and 660 lb-ft of torque. Without SEM, they are rated up to 300 horsepower and 575 lb-ft of torque. Ratings may vary by model and application.

SEPTA strike averted, negotiations continue

Negotiations were scheduled to resume Monday at 10 a.m. between the sides, which continued talks over the weekend past a threatened 12:01 a.m. Sunday strike deadline.

S.F. Muni's Dougherty wins safety award

The National Safety Council helps prevent injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the roads, through leadership, research, education and advocacy.

iTransit moves to expanded service facility

Transportation service company performs collision repair, refurbishment, paint and mechanical repair services on all makes and models of buses, motorcoaches and limousines.

Daimler delivers Setra S 417s to Tenn.

All four coaches feature satellite television, wireless Internet, 19-inch LCD monitors and TopSky, an unobstructed view of the sky that creates an open feeling in the coach.

TriMet to make extra stops on nighttime routes

Riders can request to be dropped off closer to their destinations between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Proterra shows all-electric bus in D.C.

Production of Proterra's transit bus using lithium-titanate batteries supplied by Altairnano could create over 6,000 green jobs in 21 states. A fleet of 500 buses operating over 12 years could cut emissions of CO2 by 840,000 tons and reduce oil consumption by 82 million gallons, according to the company.

Philly transit talks on hold

Talks delayed until hours before World Series begins.