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June 1, 2020 | An APTA Publication
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Public Transit Agencies Begin to Restore Service and Fare Collection
As restrictions put into place due to COVID-19 begin to lift, many public transit agencies are taking steps to restore service and, in some cases, resume fare collection that had been temporarily suspended.
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DOT to Distribute Millions of Facial Coverings to Transportation Workforce
US DOT will send approximately 15.5 million cloth facial coverings to workers in critical transportation sectors across the nation, with almost five million going to public transportation and passenger rail workers.
“Transportation workers are on the frontlines of keeping our transportation systems operational during this public health emergency and their well-being and safety is paramount,” said DOT Secretary Elaine L. Chao.
In a statement, APTA commended US DOT, Secretary Chao, FTA and FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams for, “distributing almost five million cloth facial coverings to public transportation and passenger rail workers around the country. APTA was pleased to work with the federal government and our industry partners to support the distribution of these facial coverings.”
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APTA Responds to New CDC Guidance on Commuting by Car
In response to new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance released today encouraging people to commute alone by car,
APTA issued a statement calling it “misguided” and said it will “severely hamper our nation’s economic recovery, and shows a lack of understanding of how people of all incomes get around their communities.” APTA urged the CDC to work with the association and the public transit industry to further develop appropriate safeguards.
“For many individuals,” the statement reads, “the cost of owning and commuting by car is not financially viable and out of reach. The guidance also doesn’t consider the congestion created by millions of cars stuck in traffic. Gridlock and polluted skies are not the mobility future we want emerging from this crisis.
It also ignores the role that public transportation has played during the pandemic as a lifeline in getting essential workers to hospitals, pharmacies and grocery stores, and the extraordinary measures public transit agencies have taken to safeguard riders and employees.
In addition, the guidance is confusing and runs counter to past guidance provided to public transit agencies and riders and what has been provided on air travel.”
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FTA Announces $891 Million for Transit Infrastructure Projects
“This $891 million in federal funding for our country’s public transit systems will facilitate the ability of millions of Americans to access jobs and critical services,” said DOT Secretary Elaine L. Chao.
“Supporting rail and bus rapid transit projects across the nation will help communities improve transit service as they address the impacts of COVID-19 and recover from this public health emergency,” said FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams.
New Starts projects receiving allocations are Los Angeles, CA:
Westside Purple Line Section 3 Project; Phoenix, AZ:
Valley Metro South Central Light Rail Extension/Downtown Hub; and Lake County, IN:
West Lake Corridor Commuter Rail Project.
Small Starts projects receiving allocations are St. Petersburg, FL:
Central Avenue Bus Rapid Transit Project; Miami-Dade County, FL:
South Corridor Rapid Transit Project; Albany, NY:
Washington/Western Bus Rapid Transit Project; Ogden, UT:
Ogden/Weber State University Bus Rapid Transit Project; Vancouver, WA:
Mill Plain Bus Rapid Transit Project; Portland, OR:
MAX Red Line Extension and Reliability Improvements; Pittsburgh, PA:
Downtown-Uptown-Oakland-East End Bus Rapid Transit Project; Milwaukee, WI:
East-West Bus Rapid Transit Project; and, Indianapolis, IN:
IndyGo Purple Rapid Transit Line.
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Sen. Markey Introduces Warren Cowles Grade Crossing Safety Act
Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) announced the introduction of S. 3463, the “Warren Cowles Grade Crossing Safety Act” May 23. This legislation provides $250 million per year in funding for grade-crossing safety improvements under the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program and makes commuter railroads eligible for CRISI grade-crossing safety funds. This bill reflects
APTA’s Recommendation to provide specific funding to commuter railroads for passenger rail-highway grade-crossing safety, and APTA has endorsed the bill.
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Link Transit Receives 50 MWh of Wirelessly Delivered Energy
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Link Transit, Wenatchee, WA, has achieved 50 megawatt-hours of energy delivered to its electric bus fleet using a wireless charging system from Momentum Dynamics.
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WTS Recognizes APTA Chair Fernandez, President and CEO Skoutelas
WTS International recognized APTA Chair Nuria I. Fernandez, general manager and CEO, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, San Jose, CA, as WTS Woman of the Year during its virtual 2020 Annual Business Meeting May 21. This award honors a leader in transportation who has distinguished herself through her professional achievements and support of women in the industry.
APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas received the Honorable Ray LaHood Award, which recognizes efforts to attract, retain and advance women in transportation.
Michael Baker International was named Employer of the Year.
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COMMENTARY
In the Eye of the COVID-19 Storm, Public Transit Is Called Upon Like Never Before
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 Every day, tens of thousands of people from Northeast Ohio—just like public transportation customers everywhere—have a simple need and turn to their transit systems for the solution: Get me to my job, to my doctor, to my grocery store—and back home again. In the shadow of COVID-19, that simple need has posed a daunting set of challenges for public transportation systems.
BY INDIA BIRDSONG
General Manager, Chief Executive Officer
Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority
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Classifieds
See the latest industry employment opportunities, proposals and notices
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Byford, Transport for London
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Andy Byford has been appointed commissioner for Transport for London, effective June 29. He will oversee London’s rail and bus networks as well as ferry and taxi services and bike lanes.
Byford previously served as president of the New York City Transit Authority.
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Trinity Metro Launches New ZIPZONE Service
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Trinity Metro, Fort Worth, TX, and the City of Crowley are to launch an on-demand service June 1. The Crowley ZIPZONE will connect to medical and shopping locations as well as connections to bus routes in Fort Worth and the South Park & Ride.
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COTA Pilot to Alleviate COVID-Related Service Changes
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The Central Ohio Transit Authority has launched a COTA Plus on-demand microtransit service in northeast Franklin County to supplement options for passengers impacted by COVID-19 service changes.
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Highlights from this Issue of Passenger Transport
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Passenger Transport Wishes to Thank its Advertisers:
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American Public Transportation Association | 1300 I St. NW, Suite 1200 East | Washington, DC 20005
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