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August 28, 2020 | An APTA Publication
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|  | In commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of Women’s Right to Vote, APTA Chair Nuria I. Fernandez shared her thoughts on this important occasion.
Women’s Equality Day
 In honor of the 100 th Anniversary of Women’s Right to Vote on August 26, I am moved by what it represents in our history and what it must mean for our better future. As a Black Latina woman and immigrant, I saw this country as a place of endless opportunities and promise. Opportunities that I would not have had without the sacrifices made by so many before me—in my family, in my culture, in my gender, those who look like me and those who do not.
The centennial anniversary of the
19th Amendment to the United States Constitution gives us the chance to celebrate and educate others about the battle for women’s suffrage. It is also a sober reminder that voting is not only
a right we must exercise, it is also a responsibility we must take seriously to determine the path of our democracy.
As we celebrate, we must also take an honest look at our past and recognize the many women of color who were disenfranchised and denied their place in history. But they fought and were not deterred in times past, and it should not deter us in these times where basic freedoms and our civil and human rights are being denied.
I am proud of the contributions that transportation has made to the civil rights movement, carrying those who were determined to blaze paths, roads, trails and rails before us in their quest for freedom and equality. As an industry, it is our duty to provide safe, truly accessible transportation options that increase mobility and opportunity for all. We have a special responsibility to fulfill our mission in a way that both recognizes and works to eradicate the injustices that continue to plague our society.
Because of the dedication and determination of many, we must proclaim that even after 100 years of having our voices heard, we are not finished. There is still important work to be done. We must make our votes count so that the people we care about, and the future we hope for will realize the change we so desperately need in our country today.
Vote on or before November 3rd!
Photo at right was taken during a recent press conference in San Jose that commemorated Women’s Equality Day. | | FTA Announces $400 Million in Funding for Four Transit Infrastructure Projects
FTA this week announced a total of $400 million in funding for four transit infrastructure projects in Arizona, Indiana, Missouri and New Jersey. They are: Phoenix, AZ: Northwest Extension Phase II Project; Gary, IN: Double Track Northwest Indiana Project; Kansas City, MO: Kansas City Streetcar Main Street Extension Project; and Hudson County, NJ: Portal North Bridge Project.
The projects are at a stage to receive a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) under FTA’s Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Program.
“This $400 million federal investment will help ensure that critical updates can be made to our country’s public transit systems so they remain safe and operational,” said US Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.
The CIG Program provides funding for major transit infrastructure capital investments nationwide. | | FTA Announces $14 Million in Grants to Advance Transit Innovation
Through FTA’s Accelerating Innovative Mobility (AIM) initiative, 25 projects in 24 states and one territory will receive a share of approximately $14 million in funding to support mobility and innovation in the transit industry.
“As we face this public health emergency, investments in innovation are critical for transit agencies to better meet rider expectations and adapt to changes in our transportation system,” said FTA Deputy Administrator K. Jane Williams. “We are pleased to collaborate with these grant recipients to develop new service methods to improve safety, increase access, develop more efficient operations, and enhance the transit experience for all.”
Six of the projects include innovations to help alleviate COVID19-related issues, including contactless payment, social distancing, innovative scheduling and real-time information to reduce crowding.
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APTA Submits Testimony on Impact of COVID-19
APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas submitted testimony today at a New York State Legislature hearing titled “The Impact of COVID-19 on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Public Transportation.” APTA’s statement highlighted how public transit has played an essential role during the pandemic and will help communities to recover. Skoutelas emphasized the need for at least $32 billion in additional federal emergency funding to help agencies’ ongoing efforts to keep riders safe while continuing to provide essential services. As of August 25, 2020, 90 percent of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding has been obligated through 676 grants totaling $22.5 billion of the $25 billion appropriated. Almost 44 percent of the obligated funds have been spent.
| | APTA 2020 Award Winners Announced
APTA has selected 13 individual and agency winners of the 2020 APTA Awards. The winners will be recognized at the association’s TRANScend virtual meeting October 21-22, and formally honored at a ceremony during APTA’s 2021 TRANSform Conference & EXPO in Anaheim, CA, March 14-17, 2021.
The APTA Awards program recognizes excellence in the public transportation industry in North America. Known as the “best of the best,” award winners are outstanding role models of excellence, leadership and innovation whose accomplishments have greatly advanced the industry.
Two public transportation systems will receive the 2020 Innovation Award: Golden Empire Transit, Bakersfield, CA and Pace Suburban Bus, Arlington Heights, IL.
Three public transit systems will receive the Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award for their accomplishments from 2017-2019; Livermore-Amador Valley Transit, Livermore, CA; Central Ohio Transit Authority, Columbus, OH; and Houston METRO, Houston, TX.
Retired chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Sharon Bulova is the 2020 recipient of the Local Distinguished Service Award. Sharon McBride, board secretary of the Greater Peoria Mass Transit District Board of Trustees in Peoria, IL, is this year’s Outstanding Public Transportation Board Member. Freddie Fuller II, vice president of Jacobs in Alexandria, VA, will receive the Outstanding Public Transportation Business Member Award. Nathaniel P. Ford, chief executive officer of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, Jacksonville, FL, is the recipient of the Outstanding Public Transportation Manager Award.
APTA is adding four new members to the Hall of Fame this year: J. Barry Barker, retired executive director of the Transit Authority of River City, Louisville, KY; Dr. Beverly A. Scott, Ph.D., CEO, Beverly Scott Associates, LLC, Albany, CA; Celia Kupersmith, strategic advisor, KL2 Connects, Reno, NV; and Paul Jablonski (posthumously), chief executive officer, San Diego Metropolitan Transit System, San Diego, CA.
| |  | |  Rail Safety Week is Sept. 21-27
Every year, more than 2,100 North Americans are killed or seriously injured because of unsafe behavior around tracks
or trains. Operation Lifesaver (OLI), the national rail safety education nonprofit which works to prevent these incidents, has announced that its annual Rail Safety Week takes place Sept. 21-27 to raise awareness of the importance of rail safety and empower the public to keep themselves safe
near tracks and trains.
“Rail Safety Week has grown each year. Last year’s event raised awareness with millions of people across North America on the importance of safe behavior near tracks and trains, in support of OLI’s mission to save lives,” said Operation Lifesaver Inc. Executive Director Rachel Maleh.
More information and downloadable documents and a logo are available at OLI’s website. | | APTA Recognized by Peers for PTC Efforts
APTA has been recognized by the American Society of Association Executives’ (ASAE) Centennial Magazine Top 100 as one of the “100 Associations That Will Save the World.”
The association was highlighted in the Safety category for its work on Positive Train Control. According to APTA, rail is already among the safest travel modes, and commuter and intercity rail are 18 times safer than traveling by automobile.
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See the latest industry employment opportunities, proposals and notices.
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REGISTER FOR THESE APTA EVENTS
Upcoming APTA Virtual Events
APTAtech
September 9-10
Explore how transit agencies and the public can benefit from innovative technologies, including the latest fare payment systems, connected and autonomous vehicles, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, Mobility-as-a-Service, the Internet of Things (IoT), and big data. Also to be discussed are the newly emerging challenges related to COVID-19. Learn more and register.
In Case You Missed It
APTA’s webinars are archived and available to the public transit industry. Please click here to access APTA’s library of recordings and videos to keep informed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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ELSEWHERE IN THE MEDIA
Access to public transportation is associated with a wide range of positive health outcomes, including more physical activity, fewer traffic injuries, and better air quality, according to The Centers for Disease Control Foundation's recently published Public Transportation Action Guide.
Read the Blog Read the Report
The editorial board of the Los Angeles Times said that without more funding, transit agencies would be “forced to cut service and sacrifice even more riders, which would further reduce revenue and trigger more cuts. The biggest losers would be the most vulnerable, including low-income workers, those with disabilities, students and others who rely on transit.” See the powerful op-ed here.
The United States Conference of Mayors has released a bipartisan transportation vision identifying infrastructure investment as a strategy for addressing climate change, environmental justice, and economic recovery.
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