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May 19, 2023 | An APTA Publication
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CTA Introduces Electric Buses to Chicago’s South Side
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has introduced its newest, fully accessible, all-electric Proterra 600-Series buses to the #63 route, after equipping its third bus facility to support all-electric buses. This marks the latest milestone in CTA’s efforts to convert to an electrified bus fleet by 2040 as part of its “Charging Forward Plan.”
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GCRTA Hosts FTA Administrator
The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) hosted FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Rep. Shontel Brown (D-OH) recently to celebrate the awarding of a grant of $130 million to finance GCRTA’s Rail Car Replacement Program.
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FTA Announces $220 Million to Modernize Ferry Service
FTA has announced the availability of $220 million from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support or modernize passenger ferry service in rural and urban communities across the U.S. through the Passenger Ferry and the Ferry Service for Rural Communities programs.
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COMMENTARY
A Come-Back City Inspires a Come-Back Transit System
 The transformation and expansion of the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority was ignited by the resurgence of the Toledo, OH, metropolitan area. “You’ll do Better in Toledo” read the sign posted at the border of my hometown city. It was April 2020, and I was coming home to join the new leadership team at TARTA. Our world was at the beginning of the multi-year COVID-19 pandemic. Public transit systems across the country were reducing service; introducing new safety protocols; and trying to financially survive. At TARTA and in the Toledo region, we experienced all the COVID-19 repercussions, but something else unique was occurring. Job growth was taking place. New development in downtown Toledo was happening. The rediscovery of making things in America gave new importance to a traditional manufacturing city like Toledo. Business and elected leaders recognized the importance of a well-funded and modern transit system to tie this all together.
BY LAURA KOPROWSKI
Chief Executive Officer
Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA)
Toledo, OH
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APTA Announces Local Coalition Grants
Every year, APTA awards grants to local grassroots organizations and coalitions to help the fight for public transportation. The APTA Local Coalition Grant Program helps support projects that advance equity, engage the public on important issues, advocate for more funding for public transportation and more. Applications for Local Coalition Grants have the support of a local APTA member public agency to be considered for funding.
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FRA Launches New Rail Safety Program
FRA has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity announcing the availability of $5 million to fund a rail research and development Center of Excellence. This program will advance research and development efforts to improve the safety, performance and sustainability of passenger, commuter, intercity and freight rail.
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UTA Opens Central Depot District Garage
Utah Transit Authority (UTA) executives and local dignitaries celebrated the opening of UTA’s Central Depot District Garage at a special ceremony recently. This is the first facility the agency has built since the Meadowbrook Service Center in South Salt Lake in the early 80s.
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New CEOs Named
John Andoh, Redding Area Bus Authority
 The City of Redding, CA, has hired John Andoh to lead the Redding Area Bus Authority. Andoh previously served as mass transit administrator and general manager of the County of Hawai’i Mass Transit Agency, Hele-On. Before that, he was executive director of the Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority, Columbia, SC. For APTA, Andoh is a member of the Public Transportation CEO Coordinating Council and serves on the Bus & Paratransit CEOs, Access, Zero Emission Fleet, Workforce Development and Mobility Management committees, among others.
Erik Hansen, SouthWest Transit
 SouthWest Transit, Eden Prairie, MN, has named Erik Hansen as its new CEO, to start June 5. He succeeds Len Simich. Most recently, Hansen was city administrator of Tracy, southwestern MN. Before that, he served in a variety of positions in Colorado, including GM of the Todd Creek Village Metropolitan District, an Adams County commissioner, and mayor and council member for the City of Thornton. While in Colorado, he helped found the North Area Transportation Alliance and Smart Commute Metro North.
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Nominations Open for Sharon D. Banks Award
The Transportation Research Board (TRB) is seeking nominations for the Sharon D. Banks Award for Humanitarian Leadership in Transportation. Sharon D. Banks served as general manager of AC Transit, Oakland, CA, from 1991-1999 and as chair of the TRB Executive Committee in 1998. She was known for her personal integrity, nurturing and mentoring young transportation professionals and bringing together people of diverse backgrounds and commitments. The award honors those who typify her ideals of humanity and service.
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CDTA Merges with Greater Glens Falls Transit
The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA), Albany, NY, is to merge with Greater Glens Fall Transit, currently run by the City of Glens Falls, Warren County. The addition of Warren County makes it the sixth county to join the agency.
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CCRTA to Protect Passengers with 300 New Bus Shelters
Spring is making its way into Texas, but record-setting temperatures arrived early, with heat advisories expected throughout the year. In the summer of 2022, the city of Corpus Christi opened cooling centers offering residents relief from extreme heat, with the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (CCRTA) providing fare-free transportation to the centers for anyone hoping to escape temperatures over 110 degrees. But before riders could reach the cooling centers, they had to wait at stops where they were potentially exposed to high temperatures.
BY PATRICK MERRICK
Executive Vice President
Tolar Manufacturing Company
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New Look for Metro-North Railroad Locomotives
Metro-North Railroad is rebranding up to five locomotives as a Heritage Series to highlight 40 years of service. Craft workers at the agency’s North White Plains Shop applied a vinyl wrap to locomotive No. 208, the first to be rebranded.
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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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