Center Update
Center Delivers First Transit Coach Operator Mentor Training at Greater Cleveland Regional Transportation Authority (GCRTA)

From Left to Right (Bottom)­­: Bryan Moore, Patrick J. Mullen, Yvonne Syphax, Gerald D. Sanders, Ivan Sollivan, Theresa Elder-Jones, Omeal Mullings. Top: Perry Osby, Kenneth Stenson, Jr., Dianna Tellis, James Hylton, Gary White  

On Wednesday, July 12, 2017, the Center delivered its first transit coach operator Train-the-Mentor course at GCRTA which was developed under the American Apprenticeship Initiative (AAI) project. Yvonne Syphax, Center Consultant, trained nine transit coach operators/mentors. The one-day training program focused on the qualities, essential skills, and the five primary roles of a successful mentor. It included an in-depth review of adult learning styles and their impact on building and maintaining positive mentoring relationships. Also discussed was the importance of helping mentees to develop balanced work-life behaviors, and the necessity of using a variety of health and wellness techniques. Participants particularly enjoyed practicing and critiquing their mentoring skills during the interactive scenarios segment of the training which provided them with an opportunity to simulate real-life mentoring sessions. Some commented that they didn't realize the importance of their role as mentors until they took this course.
 
The Operator Mentor training was developed as an additional component to the Transit Coach Operator Apprenticeship program that the Center is currently working on through AAI. GCRTA is currently scheduled to run its first pilot of the Coach Operator program which emphasizes continued mentorship of transit coach operators, even after they have completed their initial training. The goal is to provide support for transit coach operators so that they can be successful in their careers as operators and reduce turnover rates for the agency. The Center will be working with other transit authorities committed to developing a coach operator apprenticeship to provide additional transit coach operator mentor training.
Public Transportation 
Planetizen - July 13, 2017
An efficient and fair transportation system must serve diverse users. The "Transportation for Everyone" rating system evaluates transport system diversity and, therefore, its ability to serve all community members.
People in Greater Cincinnati Want Better Transit but Less Willing to Pay More for It, Survey Finds
WCPO Cincinnati - July 11, 2017
A survey, released Tuesday from the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, shows the region's largest public transit system faces hurdles to convince voters to approve a possible tax hike to boost service.
Nine Benefits of Public Transportation
National Express - July 18, 2017
Public transportation contributes to both the economical and physical health of individuals, it brings financial benefits to communities, and it provides not only jobs in the industry itself, but is also a key component of a healthy business ecosystem by increasing mobility options for both job commuters and customers alike.
Transit System/Partners
Investigative Post - July 12, 2017  
The plan gained momentum when Gov. Cuomo threw his support behind it in his State of the State earlier this year, as part of the second phase of the Buffalo Billion initiative. Still, the decision to build an extension has not yet been made, said Thomas George, director of public transit for the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority.
WAMU - July 12, 2017
The WMATA board is preparing to take a preliminary vote on Thursday to dramatically shake up its committee leadership and effectively extend the current term of chairman Jack Evans, the Ward 2 D.C. Council member, by six months through June 2018. If approved, there will be fewer committees focusing on only the most critical aspects of Metro's finances and operations.
WAMU - July 14, 2017
"Riders at the end of their day are very tired. They have kids. They have families. They have other obligations. So most of them are not going to try to deal with this problem," said [Amalgamated Transit Union International President, Larry] Hanley, who partners with the liberal labor group Good Jobs First, and Beverly Scott, the former head of transit systems in Boston and Atlanta, on the Americans for Transit board of directors.
KPCC - July 12, 2017
"We also are looking at creating our own Uber-like service ... using our vehicles, smaller vehicles, we're calling this micro-transit," [CEO, Phil Washington] said. "This will be a curb-to-curb type service. We'll use our drivers ... we're looking to launch that very, very soon."
Spur - June 26, 2017
For most households in the Bay Area, transportation is the third-biggest monthly expense, behind housing and food. When transit is out of reach, its promise - access to other people, goods, jobs, education and opportunity - cannot be realized. 
The Chicago Tribune - July 15, 2017
"This train is a good way to seal people in, spend some time together and see the challenges and enormity of the Metra system," said Joseph Schweiterman, a DePaul University professor who studies transportation.
The Island Now - July 17, 2017
Lhota said that commuters quickly adapted to schedule changes and alternative routes. Some morning riders opted to travel outside rush hour, which is 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., while evening riders left before 5:30 p.m. or later at night.
The Boston Globe - July 18, 2017
On Tuesday afternoon transportation officials gathered at the MBTA garage on Foundry Street to mark the arrival of the 345 new buses, which have been rolling out for the past eight months. Thirty more new vehicles are on the way.
Economic Issues 
The Hill - July 17, 2017
The House DOT spending measure doesn't exactly mirror the White House's budget proposal, but it does fulfill some components. The bill would entirely eliminate the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program, which Trump proposed killing in his budget request.
Nashville Business Journal - July 12, 2017
Nashville Mayor Megan Barry's office has pressed pause on conversations about selling the right to operate Nashville International Airport as a way to raise funding for mass-transit, instead focusing their efforts on the city's May 2018 transit-funding referendum.
Metro Magazine - July 13, 2017
According to U.S. DOT's latest Conditions & Performance Report, transit providers nationwide face a maintenance backlog of nearly $90 billion, including 10,000 buses estimated to be in poor or marginal condition.
WTOP - July 16, 2017
Outgoing Amtrak co-chief executive Wick Moorman said last week that the company was looking at creating the "economy" seating that would add more rows of seats in an effort to make more money.
Building Transportation Infrastructure
Spur - July 10, 2017
With so many transportation agencies in the Bay Area, different entities often end up planning and building pieces of the same project. That's happening right now on a grand scale: There are no less than five megaprojects taking place between San Jose and Oakland. When complete, they should add up to a fast, frequent, one-seat train ride connecting downtown San Jose, the central cities of Silicon Valley, SFO, downtown San Francisco and downtown Oakland.
City Lab - July 12, 2017
The economics aren't the only issue. [Public Private Partnerships (P3s)] and privatization turn citizens into customers, removing them from their role in, and responsibility for, building the nation.
Governing - July 18, 2017
Over the next decade, California will spend a quarter of what the federal government would spend on the entire country under Trump's plan. The new California law, though, isn't primarily about building flashy roads, bridges and transit systems. Instead, the new money will primarily go toward fixing up the state's existing transportation network
Safety
Metro Magazine - July 10, 2017
The new rule requires that states with rail transit agencies (RTAs) must have an FTA-approved and FTA-certified State Safety Oversight (SSO) Program in effect by April 15, 2019. If a state fails to meet the certification deadline, the FTA must withhold all FTA funds from all recipients of FTA funding with the entire state.
Workforce Development 
European Railway Review - June 14, 2017
Showcasing and fostering female talent is key to the promotion and attraction of women in the railway industry. It is about men and women in our sector working together to deliver this important message and bring the positive changes our sector is thriving for.
Green News
The SeaTac Blog - July 13, 2017
Sound Transit announced Thursday (July 13) that its newest light rail facility has earned Leadership Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its use of sustainable practices in the design and construction of the Angle Lake Station, which opened in the City of SeaTac last fall.
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