New Center Report Available - The Transit Elevator-Escalator Training Consortium: A Model for Successful Training Development
The Transit Elevator-Escalator Training Consortium (the Consortium) is the first in an ongoing series of industry-wide collaborative programs to develop integrated systems of training for key frontline occupations in public transportation. Building on national training standards developed by industry Subject Matter Experts from 2006 to 2010 and then adopted by the American Public Transportation Association, the Consortium has achieved unprecedented success by bringing together the knowledge of experienced frontline technicians, managers and trainers with the Center's expert team of instructional system designers (ISDs).
The newly released report, The Transit Elevator-Escalator Training Consortium: A Model for Successful Training Development, highlights on the process, products and outcomes related to this first National public transportation training consortium. Products include - instruction ready courseware, a nationally recognized apprenticeship program for transit maintenance elevator/escalator maintainers and train-the-trainer program.
Center Contributes to Dialog on Maximizing the Multigenerational Transit Workforce
There are four generations working today's transit industry, with the next generation entering the workforce in the next 5 years. At the same time, transit and railroading will experience unprecedented exodus of older workers due to retirement. How can we ensure that we are attracting the next generation while keeping the current workforce engaged and trained to meet the evolving needs of the industry? Recently at the APTA Rail Conference in Phoenix, AZ, Center Executive Director Jack Clark and Deputy Director Xinge Wang sat down with panelists of diverse background in rail transit and discussed the importance of apprenticeships, mentorships and internships in preparing for the next generation of transit workforce. The panel also shared communication, training and development, and employee engagement best practices to bridge the gaps between the generations and maximize all generations of the current workforce.
Metro will eliminate 500 "non-essential" jobs in the wake of declining ridership and costly repairs, according to a staff notice released Monday by the transit agency's chief executive. Metro General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld outlined plans to make the beleaguered transit system more "fiscally accountable" by downsizing the workforce and restructuring management, as Metro faces $18 billion capital budget deficit over the next decade, a $2.5 billion unfunded pension liability and a $300 million shortfall in its fiscal 2018 budget.
Next fall, residents of Southeast Michigan will have an opportunity to vote on a property tax millage to fund a new regional public transportation system. One of the components of that system is bus rapid transit, or BRT. Since we've never had a system like that in place, it's understandable to wonder what it might look like. But Cleveland's BRT HealthLine has been around since 2008. And for those wondering, The Detroit Free Press recently published an article with the title, "Curious about bus rapid transit? Check out Cleveland."
A Google sister company recently sought to integrate itself into Portland's parking and transit management. The proposal came shortly after Portland was in March named a finalist in the U.S. Transportation Department's Smart City Challenge, a competition for a $40 million federal grant that ultimately went to Columbus, Ohio. Google sibling Sidewalk Labs sent Portland and other finalist cities documents, obtained by The Oregonian/OregonLive, that offer a rare look into the company's plans. It's also a glimpse at a future where cities are increasingly dependent on technology firms for services to help deal with urban congestion.
SEPTA has released surveillance footage of a courageous bus driver who it says stopped an attempted purse theft on June 20th. The driver, Charles Arterbury, jumped off the bus to chase down the assailant early in the morning, police said. The incident happened at 29th Street and Girard Avenue around 4:40 a.m. According to law enforcement officials, a woman was waiting to board the bus when a man approached her and grabbed her purse. After a struggle, she was flung to the ground. Police said Arterbury chased after the thief, subdued him with the help of two passengers, and then called 9-1-1. "It was directly related to the courageous acts of Mr. Arterbury that police responded quickly and were able to make a successful apprehension here," said SEPTA Police Captain Charles Lawson.
Roads paved with solar panels may sound futuristic, but people soon will walk and maybe even drive on them in Missouri. The Missouri Department of Transportation recently announced plans to build a walkway with solar panels at the historic Route 66 welcome center in Conway, Mo., which is about 180 miles southwest of St. Louis. The pilot project will examine how feasible it is to use the technology before the department considers putting it on more roads and sidewalks.
Sheridan resident Dorothy "Dodie" Simon was recognized by the Wyoming Public Transit Association as Dispatcher of the Year at the WyTrans 28th annual conference held in Sheridan June 15-17. Simon was nominated by her supervisor, Steve Ainslie, director of Goose Creek Transit. Ainslie noted Simon's knowledge of her clients and her mentorship of new drivers in his nomination. "The number one reason she should receive this award is her dedication to making sure that our new drivers succeed at their jobs," Ainslie said, adding that he feels that the reason for low turnover in the Goose Creek driving team is the attention Simon gives to new drivers when they are hired.
Transit experts from Denver, Minneapolis, Phoenix and Charlotte, N.C., brought their stories of "transformational transit" to Hampton Roads on Monday as Virginia Beach prepares to weigh in on light rail at the polls this fall. Hampton Roads Transit hosted the daylong event for about 250 people at the Westin Town Center. The affair was part rallying for the light-rail vote in November and part gaining traction for a long-term goal of getting regional funding for the transit agency, which receives money piecemeal from each city. The agency is hosting a series of educational, outreach and advocacy events.
