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October 30, 2020 | An APTA Publication
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APTA’s TRANScend: Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
APTA’s virtual TRANScend Conference, Oct. 21-22, focused on the critical conversations taking place in the public transit industry as the U.S. confronts the ramifications of a global pandemic. More than 420 leaders participated in sessions ranging from how to bring back riders and instill confidence, to putting social and racial equity at the forefront, to safety and security. Participants heard from renowned educator and futurist Tony Seba and noted scholar Eddie S. Glaude Jr. In keeping with tradition, everyone had the chance to honor the “best of the best” winners at the always festive APTA Awards ceremony.
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USDOT Announces $291 Million for “State of Good Repair” Rail Grants
USDOT has announced an investment of more than $291 million in grants for 11 intercity passenger rail projects in nine states through the Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair Program.
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MCDOT Launches Maryland’s First BRT Service
| Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT), MD, launched its “Flash” BRT service with recent ceremonies at a Flash station in Silver Spring attended by local dignitaries.
Flash serves the county’s busiest transit corridor. Eighty-passenger buses will run the 14-mile route along US Route 29 from Burtonsville to Silver Spring with fewer stops than regular buses; shorter waits at the door-level stations (15 minutes maximum); and will run seven days a week.
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Public Transit Gets Behind Breast Cancer Awareness Month!
| Public transit agencies across the country have once again been out in force raising awareness of Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October). Among those systems supporting this major international health campaign are Palm Tran in West Palm Beach, FL, which debuted its pink, Susan G. Komen Florida bus as part of an annual partnership with Lamar Transit Advertising and Susan G. Komen Florida.
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Miami-Dade Transit Launches County’s First On-Demand Service
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The Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) and Via have launched the first on-demand service in Miami-Dade County, GO Connect. Using the GO Connect mobile app, provided by Miami-Dade County and powered by Via, passengers can book a ride to connect with Miami-Dade Transit hubs or to travel to nearby destinations.
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COMMENTARY
We’re Meeting the COVID Challenge, and We Deserve More Help
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 Public transportation won’t look the same when this pandemic crisis is over—it will be better, and stronger, but we need help to get there.
Like every other public transportation agency in the country, Metra has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Ridership on the 11 commuter rail lines that we operate in the Chicago region plummeted to as low as three percent of normal. Fare revenue, therefore, also plummeted. The regional sales taxes that fund the other half of our operating budget dropped, too.
BY JIM DERWINSKI
Executive Director/CEO
Metra
Chicago, IL
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Cities Sue Administration Over “Anarchist Jurisdiction” Designation
The cities of Seattle, WA; New York, NY; and Portland, OR, sued the Trump Administration Oct. 22 over their designation as “anarchist jurisdictions” and the potential loss of federal funding that could result. APTA has expressed strong opposition to using this designation to restrict funding for public transportation systems.
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 Eve Williams Appointed to APTA Executive Committee
The APTA Board of Directors approved on Oct. 20 the appointment of Eve Williams to the APTA Executive Committee as a BMBG At-Large Representative for a term ending in 2022. Williams is president of Dikita Engineering and was elected chair of the BMBG this month. The seat was held by Huelon Harrison, President of Legacy Group, and former chair of the BMBG.
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 DART’s Gary Thomas to Retire
Gary C. Thomas, president/executive director of Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), is to retire after almost 20 years of leadership with the agency. He joined DART in 1998 as senior vice president of project management with almost 20 years of experience as an engineer and architect consulting for national and international projects. He was appointed president/executive director in 2001. The DART Board of Directors will initiate a search process to identify his successor.
Thomas directed DART’s commitment to sustainability and conservation with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and decreasing the number of cars on the road. This included a focus on renewable energy and the transition of the entire DART bus fleet to natural gas. The agency was also an early proponent and adopter of electric buses. Thomas led efforts in developing new technologies and services including fare equity, cash to mobile options and GoLink. He developed polices that engaged development projects near DART light rail stations, generating billions of dollars in revenue, taxes and jobs for the local economy while enhancing mobility opportunities for North Texas residents.
Under Thomas’s leadership, DART won APTA’s 2019 Innovation Award. Thomas received APTA’s Outstanding Public Transportation Manager Award in 2016.
Thomas served as APTA chair from 2011-2012. He is a member of the APTA Board of Directors, is immediate past chair of APTA’s Mobility Management Committee, and is a member of the Public Transportation CEO Coordinating Council. He is a member of the Legislative, Connected and Automated Vehicle, Bus & Paratransit CEOs, Commuter Rail, Rail Transit CEOs and Rail Transit committees, among others.
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Classifieds
See the latest industry employment opportunities, proposals and notices.
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APTA Health & Safety Commitments Program Highlighted in TV Ad
Following the Oct. 22 televised presidential debate, Washington, DC, television stations broadcast a commercial by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority that explained its practices to keep passengers safe from COVID-19. The ad featured the APTA Health & Safety Commitments Program seal. More than 200 public transit agencies across North America are participating in the program, which was developed by APTA’s Mobility Recovery & Restoration Task Force. Learn more at www.apta.com/health-safety-commitments-program. Watch the ad at https://bit.ly/3e6oV0q.
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APTA Announces Local Coalition Grant Recipients
Grassroots organizing, and the broader work of local coalitions, can make the difference when communities seek to protect and expand public transportation services. APTA’s Local Coalition Grant program provides funding to groups involved in promoting and seeking additional investment in public transit.
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LA Metro, Partners Break Ground on SEED School
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The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro), in partnership with the County of Los Angeles and the SEED Foundation, have broken ground on the first phase of the SEED School of Los Angeles County (SEED LA), the state’s first public boarding high school.
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TARTA Announces Service to Amazon Fulfillment Center
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The Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA), Toledo, OH, has expanded its service to the recently opened Amazon Rossford Fulfillment Center.
Service will begin at TARTA’s Downtown Toledo Transit Hub and travel through the City of Rossford to key area destinations including the Hollywood Casino, Bass Pro Shop and the Meijer-Rossford.
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DART Expands GoLink On-Demand Service
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Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) has expanded its GoLink personalized curb-to-curb service to Southeast Garland and South Irving.
The on-demand service is already available in Farmers Branch, Far North Plano, Glenn Heights, Inland Port, Kleberg and Rylie, Lake Highlands, Lakewood, Legacy West, North Central Plano/Chase Oaks, North Dallas, Park Cities, Rowlett and Western Carrollton.
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Highlights from this Issue of Passenger Transport
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American Public Transportation Association | 1300 I St. NW, Suite 1200 East | Washington, DC 20005
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