Metro-Magazine.com Stories

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.

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.

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.

Prendergast to lead New York City Transit

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

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.

ABC makes multiple deliveries

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Riteway unveils safety video series

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

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.

APTA: Voters support transit at the polls

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

So. Fla launches new security initiative

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

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.

Megabus.com survey: Bus travel saves money

Company also serves its four millionth customer.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Bridge closure pushes BART ridership up

Numbers expected to continue growing past record numbers.

Honolulu mayor may delay rail project

Commuter rail line may get late start; historical impact plan still needs to be signed.

AC Transit taps assistant GM to fill top spot

The District's board of directors tapped Assistant GM Mary King to head the District while it engages in a search for a permanent replacement.

AeCON Group to refurbish GO Transit

Under the contract, AeCON will refurbish Union Station’s 360,000 square-foot train shed covering 13 tracks and 23 platforms, replacing the existing roof with a new steel roof and a glass atrium that reaches 50 feet above the platform level.

Monterey, Calif., taps light rail for transit corridor

16-mile corridor extends between Monterey and Castroville on the publicly owned tracks adjacent to Highway 1. Start of service is planned for early 2015.

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.

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.

More Ariz. couples turning to public transit

More Arizonans are shedding one car from their household and relying more on public transportation.

Philly transit talks on hold

Talks delayed until hours before World Series begins.

APTA, UIC to host regional HSR seminars

The programs will feature practitioners from HSR systems around the world and focus on best practices and lessons learned from European and Asian systems. The curriculum will be tailored to the different issues in each city.

El Camino Trailways, Accelar, 49ers launch shuttle

The joint marketing agreement will create, develop and promote alternative transportation and 49ers game day packages for fans from various locations across Northern California.

Report: Amtrak loses $32 per passenger

Subsidyscope calculated profits and losses per passenger to determine which routes cost Amtrak the most to operate. Its analysis was based on a 2005 GAO critique of Amtrak's accounting methods, which says the railroad should consider depreciation when calculating profitability.

St. Louis Metro opens $4.3M paint facility

Located in East St. Louis, Ill., the new $4.3 million facility enables Metro to prepare and paint the LRVs in an environmentally controlled area that is healthier for employees and better for the environment.

NTSB cites tire, bridge railing failure in Texas crash

Fatal motorcoach accident in Sherman, Texas on Aug. 8, 2008, likely caused by failure of the right steer axle tire, leading to loss of vehicle control, and failure of the bridge railing to redirect the vehicle and prevent it from departing the bridge.

Md. to begin police security checkpoints at stations

Screenings can potentially involve the check of luggage, packages, or other carry-on items customers may have in their possession.

U.S. DOT using geographic map to report ARRA spending

The online map provides information about dollars obligated and projects pending in states and territories at the county and congressional district levels.

Proposed climate bill supports clean transportation

A final vote on the bill could come as soon as the winter, but is likely to not be voted upon until spring 2010.