Center Update

Standards-Based Training: Cleveland, Sacramento Transit Systems Join The Center in Successful APTA Webinar

 


More than 50 transit managers and trainers participated in APTA's TLC-led webinar on Standards-Based Training last week.  George Fields, Training Director for Greater Cleveland RTA gave an inspiring account of their work with the Center and ATU Local 268 in creating a new Rail Car Technician apprenticeship training program.  Cleveland has extended the momentum from what started out as a  Rail Car Maintenance training project to also upgrade their bus maintenance training.  Under the leadership of their CEO, Joe Calabrese, Cleveland has also played an active role in the industry's new Signals Training Consortium.

Kerry Kopp, Manager of Rail Vehicle Maintenance Training at Sacramento RTD, explained how he extended his experience in helping develop the standards-based national Rail Car Maintenance Systems of Qualification by implementing standards-based training in Sacramento.   In rolling out standards-based training, he explained, Sacramento RTD discovered a fleet-wide defect in one of their rail cars - preventing breakdowns and saving the agency tens of thousands of dollars.  

Center Director Brian Turner moderated the webinar and explained how the industry's consensus-based training standards and training systems are being developed by subject-matter experts from more than forty agencies.  Building training systems and resources on the foundation of consensus training standards allows agencies to move quickly to customized implementation of quality training that is recognized across the industry.
Public Transportation
AASHTO - May 23, 2014
The House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday approved its fiscal year 2015 budget for Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, a proposal that includes $71 billion in funding for the U.S. Department of Transportation. That level is $1.1 billion below the FY 2014 enacted level and $19.5 billion less than President Obama's FY 2015 transportation request.  The measure was passed through committee by a 28-21 vote.  In this measure, $1.4 billion goes to the Federal Railroad Administration, a cut of $193 million from the FY 2014 enacted level, and $10.5 billion for the Federal Transit Administration ($253 million under the FY 2014 enacted level). Transit formula grants would be funded at the FY 2014 level of $8.6 billion, while New Starts funding would be reduced by $252 million to $1.7 billion in FY 2015.  
New York Times - May 27, 2014
Massimo Vignelli, an acclaimed graphic designer who gave shape to his spare, Modernist vision in book covers and shopping bags, furniture and corporate logos, even church pews and a New York City subway map that enchanted aesthetes and baffled straphangers, died on Tuesday at his home in Manhattan. He was 83.  His death, after a long illness, was confirmed by Carl Nolan, a longtime employee of Mr. Vignelli's. 
Consumer Electronics Net - May 22, 2014
As the summer travel season kicks off, 124 million Americans are planning to vacation in a U.S. city, continuing a trend from recent years. The American Public Transportation Association's (APTA) annual "Travel Like a Local" Summer Travel Survey reports that public transportation will be highly utilized by these travelers looking for the most cost effective and worry-free form of transportation especially Millennials and adults under 45.  According to the survey, more than half (58 percent) of those visiting U.S. cities plan to utilize public transportation for at least one activity. More than a quarter of these travelers say the availability of public transportation impacted their decision to travel to a particular city.
Transit System/Partners
Utah Stories - May 26, 2014
It's a very tired and overused cliche. But since I feel a bit tired and over used here goes," If you build it they will come." And in the case of cyclists-if you accommodate them they will ride.  San Francisco is as densely populated as New York City. While Salt Lake City is unlikely to ever have the estimated 17,867 people per square mile like San Fran has, the urban core of Salt Lake is quickly becoming more dense every year. Rather than suffer more traffic jams and polluted air, we could learn a few things from the Golden Gate City,  mainly how to effectively incorporate transit and biking into a usable even desirable transit model.  San Francisco takes a very diversified approach in moving around their millions of residents and tourists. First of all they have a subway called BART, which is used mostly by commuters and not so much tourists, except for trips to the airport.
Progressive Railroading - May 27, 2014
Starting today, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) added more rail cars to its Red and Gold line trains as part of ongoing transit system improvements that have recently included more frequent service and shorter rider wait times.  During regular weekday service, trains running on both lines have been extended from four- to six-cars until further notice, as the agency monitors rider comments and evaluates trends, MARTA officials said in a press release.
Philadelphia Inquirer - May 24, 2014
SEPTA will spend about 3 percent more for transit operations in the fiscal year that begins July 1, and it will nearly double its spending on major construction and repair projects, thanks to an infusion of state money.  The SEPTA board unanimously approved a $1.33 billion operating budget and a $572 million capital budget Thursday, without discussion. 
Labor News
Record Online - May 22, 2014
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority unanimously approved a $525 million contract Wednesday with Transport Workers Union Local 100, the behemoth that represents its 34,000 bus and subway employees.  Ratification of the five-year pact came less than 24 hours after a Presidential Emergency Board recommended, for the second time, that the MTA could afford to give its 5,300 Long Island Rail Road employees higher raises than those the TWU had won.  The emergency board's recommendation isn't binding, but it completes the federal mediation process and permits the LIRR unions to strike in 60 days if their contracts remain unresolved.
Illawarra Mercury - May 26, 2014
Bus drivers in the Illawarra are under pressure to meet ''unrealistic'' timetables set by the NSW government, according to a NSW trade union.  The state branch of the Transport Workers Union (TWU) on Monday released a survey involving drivers from the Illawarra, Newcastle and Sydney.  Among the findings were that  55 per cent of bus drivers reported vehicle maintenance not being carried out and  90 per cent said they felt pressured to drive unsafely by the government-implemented schedules.
Green News
The Jerusalem Post - May 26, 2014
In light of the air pollution plaguing dense urban areas like Tel Aviv, the deputy mayor of the municipality has appealed to the environmental protection and transportation ministers for urgent solutions to this public health hazard.  "Transportation is a major source of air pollution in Tel Aviv, and we must act swiftly to implement measures that will reduce it," wrote the city's deputy mayor, Meital Lahavi (Meretz), in a letter to the ministers last week.  Lahavi took office as deputy mayor a few months ago and has since been promoting a number of issues pertaining to transportation and environment, such as reducing car use, expanding use of public transportation and regulation of electric bicycle operations, her office said.
Workforce Development

Metro Magazine - May 2014
As lack of dedicated federal funding and state and local issues continue to take their toll on public transportation budgets, 64% of respondents to this year's METRO Bus Maintenance Survey say they are buying more parts due to aging fleets.  Meanwhile, electrical (issues/training) remains the number one issue in maintenance shops throughout the U.S. and Canada for the second year in a row, with training and staffing each jumping into the top five as turnover rates continue to grow due to retirement.  
National Skills Coalition - May 23, 2014
On May 21, Senators Murray (D-WA), Harkin (D-IA), Alexander (R-TN), and Isakson (R-GA), along with Representatives Kline (R-MN), Foxx (R-NC), Miller (D-CA), and Hinojosa (D-TX) introduced the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), bipartisan, bicameral legislation reauthorizing the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). WIOA would reauthorize the program for six years, from 2015 through 2020.  In general, the bill focuses on streamlining programs, reporting and administration. The bill eliminates 15 existing federal training programs-including WIA incentive grants, WIA Pilots and Demonstration Projects, and the Workforce Innovation Fund (WIF). It creates common measures across "core" programs for both adults and youth, and mandates a single, unified plan for all core programs.
Building Transportation Infrastructure
Planetizen - May 25, 2014
The Brooklyn-Queens Waterfront is amidst a radical change-massive housing projects, celebrated parks, and new jobs by the thousands. One writer calls for transit planning now, to support the waterfront of the future.  John Petro picks up on the debate from April about a new streetcar along the Brooklyn-Queens Waterfront, making the case that whatever the mode, the area will need to have a transit plan to handle the future travel patterns around the waterfront.
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