ITLC Update

Climate News

Safer Public Transit Is The Path to Lower Emissions That People Refuse to Take

Forbes - Mar. 15, 2023

Since the start of 2023, 22 SEPTA instructors have participated in two sessions of ITLC’s “Train-the-Trainer Level 1: Teaching Techniques” course. Topics covered include teaching methods and best practices, adult learning theory, and lesson planning. In addition, participants practiced new facilitation skills and techniques during four classroom and hands-on teaching demonstrations. Each participant’s teaching demonstrations were video recorded as part of a new program component, showcasing their growth over the week. Participants said key takeaways included instructional design frameworks, components that enhance all aspects of student learning, lesson planning, teaching methods, and confidence in their facilitation skills. 

Labor News

AFL-CIO Applauds Nomination of Julie Su to Become Nation’s Next Secretary of Labor 

AFL-CIO - Feb. 28, 2023

Statement from AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler on President Biden’s nomination of Julie Su as U.S. secretary of labor: 

Simply put: There’s no one more dedicated and qualified to defend the fundamental rights of working people than Julie Su. It’s her life’s work. The AFL-CIO is thrilled with her historic nomination to become our nation’s next secretary of labor.  

APTA Calls on Congress to Provide Robust Funding for Transit and Passenger Rail in FY24 Appropriations Bill 

Mass Transit - Mar. 13, 2023

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) is urging Congress to support public transit and passenger rail during the Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations process. The process began last week with the release of the Biden Administration’s budget, which included a request of $21.3 billion for public transit and $18 billion for passenger and freight rail. 

WMATA Breaks Ground on Bladensburg Garage; Awards Electric Bus Contracts 

Mass Transit - Mar. 9, 2023

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Administration (WMATA) held a groundbreaking ceremony on March 8 to mark the start of construction Bladensburg Garage, its second facility to house its planned zero-emission fleet. The facility sits on more than 17 acres of land and will have the capacity for 300 buses, half of which will be zero emission. 

Detroit Considers Raising Bus Driver Pay to Address Service Interruptions 

Bridge Detroit - Mar. 1, 2023

City officials are negotiating with Detroit bus drivers for a wage increase to fix the chronic operator shortages causing service interruptions. 

Department of Transportation Director Mikel Oglesby told BridgeDetroit that DDOT is short about 100 drivers and there’s funding available for raises and other incentives to recruit and retain drivers. Oglesby said starting conversations about boosting salaries for DDOT drivers, who are paid far less than the national average, is “the right thing to do.” 

Federal Government

Public Transit

US: Rise in Bus Driver Assaults Triggers New Protection Laws 

Mass Transit - Mar. 8, 2023

• A bill adopted by the Virginia Legislature would define assault on transit workers as a Class 1 misdemeanor and ban violators from transit for at least six months. 
• Thirty other states have similar laws on the books. 
• Even groups that support the laws acknowledge they don't have clear effects on deterrence. 
• Advocates say transit agencies can reduce incidents by rethinking the way fares are collected. 

Cori Bush’s Public Transportation Win 

The Nation - Feb. 24, 2023

ST. LOUIS, MO.—According to a Harvard study, transportation is the single most important factor in an individual’s ability to escape poverty. In July 2022, a one-in-1,000-year flooding event hit St. Louis, dumping 25 percent of the normal yearly rainfall on the city in 12 hours. 

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