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May 5, 2023 | An APTA Publication
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APTA Mobility Conference Tackles New Potential for Bus Systems
APTA’s 2023 Mobility Conference attracted more than 1,300 attendees and 90 exhibitors to Minneapolis, MN, April 23-26. It was one of APTA’s largest bus and paratransit events ever held, with 20 committee meetings, several on-site tours and more than 30 sessions addressing innovative technologies; zero emissions; standards; labor relations and workforce development; safety and security; funding; diversity, equity and inclusion; and more. APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas welcomed participants by praising the remarkable job that bus systems have done to increase ridership, embrace new goals and invest Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds in new capital projects.
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FTA Announces More Than $700M to Replace Aging Passenger Railcars
FTA announced today the selection of six projects in six states to replace aging passenger railcars to help improve reliability, safety and accessibility. Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the approximately $703 million represents first-time funding from the new Rail Vehicle Replacement Program.
“Every day, millions of Americans rely on subways, commuter rail and light rail to get to work or school, buy groceries and see loved ones, but many railcars still in service are decades old and in need of replacement,” said Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. “These grants will help bring riders faster, safer, more reliable service on America’s rails.”
“One-third of our nation’s subway and commuter rail vehicles are more than 25 years old,” said FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez. “This program focuses on transit agencies that lack the funding they need to address overdue railcar replacements. We are proud to select these projects to improve passenger rail service for riders across the nation.”
The selected projects are with the Chicago Transit Authority ($200 million), the Bi-State Development Agency of the Missouri-Illinois Metropolitan District ($196.3 million), the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority ($130 million), the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, which operates the Tri-Rail commuter rail service ($71.7 million), the Utah Transit Authority ($60 million) and the Sacramento Regional Transit District ($45.1 million).
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Six Agencies Honored for Safety, Security, Emergency Management
At the 2023 Mobility Conference, APTA honored six public transportation agencies from Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio and Texas with its 2023 Bus Safety, Security and Emergency Management Awards. The awards recognize organizations for their innovative and proactive programs. This year, APTA added a new category—Emergency Management—to honor agencies that excel in the management of emergencies though partnerships, planning, exercises and drills.
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CCTA Launches Bay Area’s First Autonomous Shuttle
The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) has launched the Bay Area’s first autonomous shuttle program to the public. The Bishop Ranch Autonomous Shuttle Program will provide free shuttles to four key destinations within Bishop Ranch, San Ramon, CA.
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COMMENTARY
Customer Service Remains Driving Factor for Post-Pandemic Success
 We have all heard the saying that “Customers are King.” To some, this might be outdated, but if public transit is going to make a comeback and reinvent itself, post-COVID, being customer focused and providing a great experience is going to be key. Good customer service is the bedrock of any public service. Not only does it render loyalty to the service provider, but it improves customers’ lives. With the constant shifts in the public transit industry since COVID-19, we must keep this tenet at the forefront. We are all aware of the sharp decline in ridership during the pandemic. Of this decline, about half can be attributed to changes in commuting frequency—40 percent being a shift to private cars, and 10 percent from shifts to other modes. Three years after the nationwide lockdown, ridership is returning to pre-pandemic levels, but we are faced with a couple of challenges.
BY BACARRA MAULDIN
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Memphis Area Transit Authority, TN
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New CEO Named
Diana Chang, Culver City
 The city of Culver City, CA, has named Diana Chang as its new chief transportation officer, following the retirement of Rolando Cruz. Chang most recently served as Culver City Transportation Department’s transportation and mobility planning manager. In her new role, she will report to the city manager and will oversee four divisions in the department: fleet services, transit administration, transportation planning and transit operations. Chang began working for the department in 2005. For APTA, she is a member of the Legislative, Rail Transit, BRT, Bus Operations and Small Operations committees, among others, and is a graduate of the Leadership APTA Class of 2008.
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Trinity Metro Hosts USDOT’s Trottenberg
Trinity Metro, the city of Fort Worth and North Central Texas Council of Governments welcomed USDOT Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg to Fort Worth recently for a discussion and a tour of Trinity Metro TEXRail.
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May Mobility Launches First On-Demand AV Service in Arizona
May Mobility has launched the first on-demand public transit service using AVs in Arizona, for the retirement community of Sun City. The service will be powered by Via.
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OLI Awards More Rail Safety Initiative Grants
Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration and the Posner Foundation of Pittsburgh, has announced $214,075 in crossing safety awareness grants to OLI programs in 12 states. In addition, OLI, in partnership with FRA, is awarding a $50,000 Innovative Rail Safety Competitive Grant to New York Operation Lifesaver.
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Houston METRO’s New Student-Designed Bus Shelter
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO, Houston, TX) President & CEO Tom Lambert, Board Chair Sanjay Ramabhadran and Board Member Christopher Hollins joined Waltrip High School educators, students and the Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce recently for a ribbon-cutting of the agency’s second student-designed bus shelter.
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Transit CEOs Seminar
May 19-21, Houston, TX
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Rail Conference
Presented by HNTB
June 11-14, Pittsburgh, PA
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Passenger Rail Engineering
Education Symposium (p-REES)
July 11-13
Washington, DC
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Transit Board Members
& Board Administrators Seminar
July 15-18, Birmingham, AL
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APTAtech
July 30-Aug. 2, Anaheim, CA
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Sustainability / Operations Planning
and Scheduling Workshop
July 30-Aug. 2, Anaheim, CA
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Study Mission to Australia,
New Zealand
Aug. 2-15
Auckland, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney
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TRANSform Conference & EXPO
Presented by HNTB
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More from this Issue of Passenger Transport:
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