ITLC/TWC Travels to Missouri Public Transportation Association

At TWC’s MPTA exhibit booth, left to right: Jamaine Gibson, David Stephen, Pat Greenfield, FTA Region 7 Deputy Regional Administrator Mark Bechtel, and FTA Region 4 Community Planner Michael Sherman

Continuing International Transportation Learning Center/Transit Workforce Center’s outreach to promote its technical assistance work across the country last week, Senior Communications Specialist David Stephen and Senior Director for Workforce Education Pat Greenfield traveled to Springfield, Missouri, to participate in the Missouri Public Transportation Association’s (MPTA) State Conference and Expo. After an introduction by MPTA’s Executive Director Kim Cella, Pat, ProgressWorx Founder Stu Bass, and Amalgamated Transit Union’s (ATU) Director of Apprenticeships and Workforce Development Jamaine Gibson co-led a plenary session on “Mentoring – A Great Route to Workforce Development.” They were joined by Denise Jenkins-Agurs, Chief People Officer (who joined virtually), Department of People & Teammate Experience at IndyGo in Indianapolis, and William Howard, President of ATU Local 1287 at Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (Missouri), who discussed their experiences and perspectives in initiating and implementing mentoring programs for transit operators and technicians.

On the second day of the conference, David led a workshop on “The National Transit Frontline Worker Recruitment Campaign Toolkit: How Can it Work for You?”, presenting the TWC’s toolkit and engaging workshop participants in an interactive discussion around recruitment strategies. David and Pat also staffed a TWC exhibit booth throughout the conference, talking to attendees about TWC’s work, sharing TWC materials, and consulting on various workforce development issues visitors to the booth were confronting.

ITLC is Hiring – Communications Associate

The International Transportation Learning Center (ITLC), operator of the Transit Workforce Center (TWC), seeks a candidate with entry-level communication skills to further the mission of advancing comprehensive workforce development programs to support public transportation’s bus drivers, mechanics, technicians, and other frontline transit workers across the country. This candidate will play a critical role on our team through public relations, social media, and outreach support. For more info, visit here.

Register Now for Making Connections – December 13-14, 2022

This conference brings together participants from urban, suburban, rural, and tribal public transportation and industry stakeholders in plenaries, workshops, networking, and ongoing dialogue. Conference registration, hotel, and sponsorship information can be found on the registration page (click here). For general conference inquiries, contact Brandon Liu: [email protected]. Making Connections 2022 is organized by the Transit Workforce Center (TWC) and co-sponsored by the National Transit Institute (NTI).

Public transit ridership rises to more than 70 percent of pre-pandemic levels

Mass Transit - Sept. 29, 2022

The U.S. public transit industry saw ridership rebound to more than 70 percent of pre-pandemic levels in September, according to the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) Ridership Trends Dashboard. 

California Clean Air Day pushes public transportation with free bus rides

KABC – Oct. 2, 2022

Drivers all across the state are encouraged to ditch their cars Wednesday and try out other forms of transportation for California Clean Air Day. The Coalition for Clean Air is calling on the public to do their part in addressing the state's pollution problem. In Los Angeles, people are asked to use public transportation, bicycles or walk to work.

U.S. Department of Transportation Expands Its Financing Program to Help Even More Infrastructure Projects Move Forward

Transportation.gov – Oct. 4, 2022

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Build America Bureau will offer low-cost and flexible financing for transit and Transit-oriented Development (TOD) projects at the maximum level authorized under law. USDOT’s Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program is designed to help project sponsors reduce costs and speed the delivery of infrastructure projects, which saves taxpayer dollars and improves transportation in communities. This new initiative, “TIFIA 49,” authorizes borrowing up to 49% of eligible project costs for projects that meet certain eligibility requirements, helping more projects get off the ground. With few exceptions, TIFIA loans have historically been capped at 33% of eligible project costs.

Transit recruitment news: Bi-State Development; Knoxville Area Transit (KAT); Transdev

Mass Transit - Sept. 29, 2022

A trio of related initiatives announced during the past week in the private and public sector is putting a spotlight on new tactics transit industry stakeholders are putting into practice to attract, retain and develop their workforce.

Pullman transit makes youth rides free starting Saturday

Mass Transit - Sept. 30, 2022

Pullman Transit will begin to provide free public transportation for people 18 and younger starting Saturday. This service was made possible by Pullman Transit's fare-free youth policy, a formal fare policy approved by the City Council during a meeting Sept. 13, the city stated in a news release. The policy was created to increase the use of public transportation and rely on state and federal grants rather than local taxpayer dollars.

NJ Transit Introduces Agency's First Battery Electric Bus

RLS Media - Oct. 4, 2022

NJ Transit officials reported the agency’s first battery electric bus that will soon be entering revenue service today. Transit officials say the major milestone is a historic moment for the nation’s largest statewide transit provider and sets the stage for the planned transition to a complete fleet of zero-emission buses by 2040, aligned with Governor Murphy’s Energy Master Plan.

Metro Will Ramp Up Ticketing For Fare Evasion Next Month, Test New Faregates

DCist.com - Oct 4, 2022

Metro is rolling out a multi-faceted plan to address a $40 million fare evasion problem. Beginning this month, Metro will start posting reminders on digital screens in stations, and Metro Transit Police officers will hand out fliers reminding riders to pay their fares. Metro will have more police out on the system and install cameras and monitors to deter gate-jumping.

Connecting Microtransit with Fixed-Line Transit Through Unified Mobility

Oct 25, 2022 - 10:00 AM PT/1:00 PM ET

Forward-thinking transit agencies are strategically incorporating microtransit as part of their comprehensive mobility strategy. This includes replacing underperforming fixed route lines, providing first-last mile options, and offering multimodal options to complement existing transit services and integrating fare collection. Each agency looks to use technology to address its specific operational objectives and apply common-sense solutions.

Attendees will learn more about: 

• How JTA unified mobility and fare payments in Jacksonville
• How Wave Transit improved mobility through the redistribution of service
• And, how Ventura implemented cost-neutral microtransit in Australia