TWC Holds Kickoff Meeting for Bus Maintenance ATTAIN Committee |
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Over 90 labor and management representatives registered for the kickoff meeting, which featured a moderated roundtable discussion with Pierce Transit and ATU Local 758 in Lakewood, WA and with Utah Transit Authority and ATU Local 382, both of which have active, successful bus maintenance apprenticeship programs. Following a review of apprenticeship, its many benefits, and the apprenticeship resources available from the TWC, an open discussion took place regarding bus maintenance apprenticeship that included mentoring, selecting apprentices, entry qualifications, coordinating related instruction with on-the-job learning, and other related topics.
The ATTAIN effort and associated committees marks the first time the FTA has officially endorsed apprenticeship activity in transit. Given the challenges facing the industry with new propulsion technologies, coupled with impending retirements and the acute shortage of technicians in general, “growing your own” through apprenticeship is especially relevant.
For technical assistance email us at [email protected] or call us toll-free at 855-888-NTWC.
For more information on the ATTAIN Bus Maintenance Committee or to join, contact John Schiavone [email protected].
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Route Fifty – April 4, 2022
The study says TOD households save money on transportation costs mainly because they own fewer cars than other households. About two-thirds of their savings can be attributed to living in a transit-friendly neighborhood and one-third to access to rail transit, "suggesting the importance of integrating a rail transit system with supportive land use planning and neighborhood design."
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Mass Transit – April 4, 2022
Bus operators will learn from TriMet bus trainers about the differences in operating a 60-foot articulated FX bus compared to the standard 40-foot buses—and doing it safely in a dynamic environment. They’ll be trained on how to operate the front door ramp and other mobility device features, learn how to line up the bus at station areas, and be educated on safe interactions with vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians in the busy Division Street corridor.
Metro Magazine – March 31, 2022
In the face of COVID-19’s impact on transit ridership, this initial phase of “Forward for All” aims to strengthen this trust and pride in the region’s transit system by building awareness of the economic, environmental, and quality of life benefits of public transportation. Future phases of the multi-year campaign will address challenges to the system and build support for comprehensive solutions stemming from the Regional Transit Strategic Plan currently in development by the RTA and slated for adoption in early 2023.
Grist – March 30, 2022
Access to convenient, efficient public transportation is a critical component when addressing inequity and jobs. “We are the conduit to employment, healthcare, school, entertainment—without IndyGo, many citizens wouldn’t be able to get around,” says Inez Evans, president and CEO of IndyGo.
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The Conversation – April 4, 2022
Efficient city planning and land use can reduce travel demand and shift transportation modes, from cars to public transit, through strategies that avoid urban sprawl and disincentivize personal cars. These improvements not only decrease greenhouse gas emissions, but can decrease congestion, air pollution and noise, while improving the safety of transportation systems.
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TTD – April 5, 2022
Leaders from 30 transportation labor organizations gathered in Washington, D.C. yesterday to outline a robust legislative and regulatory agenda for the year. The unions are affiliates of the Transportation Trades Department (TTD) of the AFL-CIO, the nation’s largest transportation labor coalition. At the bi-annual legislative summit, transportation labor leaders formally called on Congress and the Biden Administration to continue enacting policies to improve the domestic supply chain, increase safety, and uplift working people.
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Building Transit Infrastructure |
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The Hill – April 2, 2022
We especially stress the importance of investing in public transit. We know that abundant transit unlocks freedom of movement and dramatically increases access to opportunity. When people can count on the bus or train to get where they need to go, they can easily access jobs, education, medical care, culture, goods and services, and the daily life of their communities. They benefit from greater economic mobility and lower household costs. And because transit is resource-efficient and supports low-emissions neighborhoods, it’s also an indispensable tool to prevent climate change, clean our air and protect public health.
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ALPA – March 30, 2022
“We applaud the WIAAB—which includes ALPA National Membership Committee chair Capt. Kandy Bernskoetter—for providing these comprehensive recommendations that recognize a strong, diverse workforce is critical to the continued leadership of the aviation industry in the United States,” said ALPA president Capt. Joe DePete. “The outstanding work of the WIAAB to identify the core causes of inequity in aviation industry careers and the concrete ways we can work together to address them are one of the many reasons we were early supporters of it, advocating for the inclusion of language to establish the board in the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill.”
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APTA Emerging Leaders Program Capstone Projects Webinar Series – April 11, 11:30 am ET
Public transit workforce needs continue to evolve as rider travel habits change and new transportation technologies like transportation network companies, micro-transit, and autonomous vehicles become available. The COVID-19 pandemic has particularly challenged the transit industry to quickly adapt by introducing new practices and technologies to operations. The ability of public transit systems to sustain current service levels and expand service availability will require an industrywide examination of current and future workforce needs. In order to remain a viable utility within American communities, transit authorities will have to reinforce, attract, and replenish talent across all departments while also accounting for the challenges of labor shortages, upcoming employee retirements, and rapidly emerging technologies.
United for Infrastructure – April 14, 12:00 pm EDT
On April 14th, United for Infrastructure is hosting an event focused on ways utilities, transit authorities, and local governments can accelerate the electrification of everything in our economy.
APTA Emerging Leaders Program Capstone Projects Webinar Series – April 18, 11:30 am ET
On November 15, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law. This bill seeks to address the United States’ most pressing infrastructure projects and guide investments in the transit industry. Nearly $39 billion of the bill is dedicated to modernizing transit including funding dedicated to zero-emission vehicle chargers and to fund the purchase of zero-emission transit and school buses. An influx of funding to that degree has the potential to expedite plans transit agencies already have in place for transitioning conventional fleets to all-electric or seeking funding for pilots where none was available. In addition to the infrastructure bill, the $1.75 trillion Build Back Better legislation, currently undergoing negotiations in Congress, proposes to invest even more funding into bus electrification efforts in the United States.
APTA Emerging Leaders Program Capstone Projects Webinar Series – April 20, 11:30 am ET
As Zero-Emission Bus (ZEB) technology advances it will become a more viable solution for agencies to adopt into their fleets. Some agencies such as those located in California must educate themselves quickly as they adapt to meet the 2040 California Air Resources Board (CARB) ZEB mandate. This presentation will serve as a resource tool to help agencies looking to learn more about ZEB to gain a better understanding of the infrastructure considerations their agencies must make when deciding on a viable ZEB solution. This presentation will also explore the type of ZEB infrastructure solutions currently available, associated costs, construction timelines, service restrictions, maintenance considerations, and challenges associated to each solution.
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International Transportation Learning Center
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