Rail Industry ‘Ready to Work’ With President-Elect Biden (UPDATED)

With Joe Biden preparing to take the oath of office as the 46th president of the United States on Jan. 20, 2021, the Association of American Railroads (AAR), the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA), Amtrak, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), and the Railway Supply Institute (RSI) are “ready to work” with him, his Administration and Congress—and help the industry, and the country, recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

FTA: Zero COVID Research $$ for “Anarchist Jurisdictions”

Will the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) restrict the eligibility of, or disfavor applications for, COVID-19 research demonstration grants if applicants are located in New York City; Portland, Ore.; or Seattle?

Transit: It’s Time to Vent

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) has stated that airborne transmission of the coronavirus is more likely than transmission through surface contact. Adequate ventilation and air filtration of HVAC systems can reduce the likelihood of airborne exposure. Every transit agency wants to do everything it can to keep its ridership safe, healthy, and returning. The multi-trillion-dollar, pandemic-clouded question is, how?

APTA Inducts Paul Jablonski, Late San Diego MTS CEO, to Hall of Fame

Former San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) CEO Paul Jablonski, who passed away suddenly May 10, has been inducted to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Hall of Fame “for his extraordinary contributions to public transportation, his dedication to advancing the industry and outstanding leadership over a 40-yearlong career.”

Has Your Transit Agency Signed On? Taken the Pledge?

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has launched the Health & Safety Commitments Program to help “earn riders’ confidence” and encourage public transit use throughout the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.

Special Podcast Series—The Coronavirus and the Rail Industry: APTA Offers a Breakdown of Stimulus Money for Transit Agencies and a Perspective of COVID-19 at the Front Line

Railway Age Editor-in-Chief William C. Vantuono and RT&S Editor-in-Chief Bill Wilson talk to the American Public Transportation Association.

APTA: CARES Act Provides $25 Billion, With Conditions

President Trump on March 27 signed H.R. 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act (or Title XII of Division B), into law, following swift passage in the House of Representatives by voice vote, and one day after the U.S. Senate passed the bill in a unanimous 96-0 vote. The CARES Act is a $2 trillion stimulus package that addresses the devastating economic and societal impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes many funding measures that directly benefit the railway industry—all modes, freight and passenger. In the bill is approximately $25 billion for public transportation. Distribution of the funds is rather complex, and APTA (American Public Transportation Association), which took the lead in working with Congress on the bill’s transit provisions, provided an explanation to its members.

HDR’s Waldron named to APTA Executive Committee

At its annual meeting in New York on Oct. 12, the American Public Transportation Association board of directors appointed HDR Global Transit Director Tom Waldron to a three-year, At-Large Business Member term on the organization’s 25-member Executive Committee.

Commuter rail PTC progress “strong and continuous”: APTA

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) provided a second-quarter 2018 update to progress the commuter rail industry has made toward implementing Positive Train Control (PTC).

APTA rewards Caltrain sustainability

Greening efforts by a California rail agency and bus operator have been noticed by a major transit advocacy group.

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