Category Archives: What’s happening at other transit agencies?

What's happening at other transit agencies?

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Students aged seven to 11 created this work, titled "Connections," for a Lehi, Utah transit station. Photo via UTA.

This weekly post features news from other transit agencies and planners from around the world. Did we miss a good story? Let us know in the comments.

UTA to debut local public art in Utah County

The regional transit authority for Salt Lake has not one, but three blogs: Trains of Thought, Mom Aboard and Urban Ticket. Mom Aboard writes that the new murals will go up at a commuter rail park-and-ride lot in the city of Lehi and at a bus shelter in front of the city hall of Orem, Utah. School children and local artists contributed the original works, which will join several others at transit stations in the Sal Lake City region. It’s nice to see Metro has a kindred transit agency both in terms of blogging and public art. More info on Metro’s Art program is available here.

What Gabe Klein is brewing up in Chicago: Pedestrian-safety mannequins

Quick background: Gabe Klein quickly earned a reputation as a visionary transportation commissioner while working for the city of Washington D.C. Klein has since taken his innovative brand to Chicago to work for Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Transportation blog TBD On Foot catches up with Klein’s Windy City work, which includes “the unveiling of 32 pedestrian-safety dummies throughout the city, one for each of the pedestrian lives lost in Chicago in 2010.” The project seeks to emphasize “how vulnerable pedestrian lives are in our overall transportation system.” Under Klein’s leadership, Chicago has a set a goal of zero pedestrian fatalities by 2020.

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What's happening at other transit agencies?

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A Calgary Transit BRT vehicle cruises along a snowy sidewalk. Photo by Flickr user Mikesoron.

This weekly post features news from other transit agencies and planners from around the world. Did we miss a good story? Let us know in the comments.

Calgary: Half of downtown commuters take bus, C-Train

The Calgary Herald reports on a pretty amazing commuting flip-flop over the last 15 years. Half of all commuters to downtown Calgary in 1996 drove alone, while 33 percent took transit. Today, only one-third drive into downtown while half now arrive by bus, BRT or light rail. Any city would gladly take nearly a 50 percent increase in downtown transit commuters — think of all the congestion avoided! That said, there have been some logistical challenges that come with more robust ridership. In particular, 60,000 transit riders enter downtown in just one hour of the workday morning, meaning that Calgary Transit has to commit a large number of its transit fleet to serving people headed only in one direction. Another interesting factoid: Only New York City has higher downtown parking rates in North America than Calgary, according to the Herald. Avoiding spending $470 a month on parking is a great reason to take transit.

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What's happening at other transit agencies?

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An underground Edmonton light rail station protects riders from that white stuff that falls from the sky up there. Photo by Flickr user Qousqous.

This weekly post features news from other transit agencies and planners from around the world. Did we miss a good story? Let us know in the comments.

Edmonton: Listen up, Ottawa: Transit is our No. 1 need

The city of Edmonton — that’s Alberta, Canada — has big plans for expanding its popular light rail system. But it’s not getting a lot of funding love from the federal government in Ottawa. The Edmonton Journal calls for the province’s policy leaders to create a long term transportation plan that puts public transit at the forefront and urges local politicians to fight hard for federal funding. Sound familiar?

Top Leaders and Organizations Honored by the American Public Transportation Association

APTA announced the winners of its Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement awards at a New Orleans conference last week and there are a couple local highlights. Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus took honors for best transit agency with over 20 million boardings. APTA cited the agency’s success in boosting ridership despite the economic downturn and its attendant budgetary challenges.

APTA also gave a Hall of Fame Award to former Metro CEO Roger Snoble, acknowledging a career that included stints in Ohio, Dallas, San Dieg and Los Angeles County.

Should Seattle spend millions to plan more streetcars? 

Seattle already has two one streetcar line up and running; the Seattle Times wonders, however, if citizens have the appetite for more if it means higher fees on automobiles. The decision will come down to voters, who will be asked to approve a $200 million measure supporting a variety of transportation projects, including $18 million for the streetcar. Even some transit advocates are making the case that the city has more pressing needs, given that streetcars don’t necessarily offer mobility benefits over buses. Transport Politic offers some helpful context in a piece that considers the rise in popularity of streetcars nationwide and asks some tough and important questions.

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What’s happening at other transit agencies?

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An Amtrak "Wolverine" train pulling into Ann Arbor, Michigan. Photo by flickr user smaedli.

This weekly post features news from other transit agencies and planners from around the world. Did we miss a good story? Let us know in the comments.

U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood awards $196 million to reduce train travel time by 30 minutes between Detroit and Chicago (USDOT)

According to Amtrak.com that 300-mile trip currently takes about five hours and 45 minutes. The USDOT press release notes that “these improvements will allow for speeds up to 110 mph on 77 percent of Amtrak’s Wolverine and Blue Water services.” These sorts of improvements are just what is needed to make intercity train travel more competitive with driving and flying. But it bears pointing out that we’re only now making the improvements to our largely 19th Century rail system that Europe was making in the 1960s.

Rishon Le-Ziyyon West line opens (Railway Gazette)

After Israel’s first light rail line opened in Jerusalem earlier this year, the country is pressing on with rail expansion. The first six kilometer (about 3.6 miles) segment of a commuter rail project connecting Tel Aviv to Rishon Le-Ziyyon opened for revenue service this week. The estimated end-to-end travel time is 18 to 20 minutes — due to steep grades — meaning a blistering 12 mph.
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What's happening at other transit agencies?

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A Portland MAX light rail train pulls into the station. Photo by Flickr user camknows.

This weekly post features news from other transit agencies and planners from around the world. Did we miss a good story? Let us know in the comments.

Under pressure from riders, TriMet promises to consider longer transfer times (Portland, Ore.)

A coalition of transit riders in Portland has won a small victory in its effort to extend transfer times to three hours from the current one-and-a-half hour window. The group successfully convinced the transit agency’s board of governors to study the feasibility of a three-hour transfer on TriMet’s bus and light rail lines. Advocates view extended transfers as a way of assuaging the effects of recession-induced service cuts, which have led to longer waits. While the board endorsed the study, it doesn’t look like they’re actively supportive of the transfer extension. Joseph Rose of Oregon Live reports that “TriMet considers the idea an epic policy shift that could cost more than it’s worth.”

Line of the Week: MAX Green Line (Portland, Ore.)

With Portland on the brain, here’s a quick review of the MAX Green Line from local blogger Jung Gatoona. Be sure to check out the time lapse video of the route and admire all the bus and transit only lanes.

Metro Atlanta voters warm to mass transit, poll shows

In sprawling Atlanta, voters are warming up to the idea of expanding the city’s mass transit system and improving alternatives to driving. That’s a good sign for the transportation sales tax referendum that will be on the ballot next year. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that “voters in 10 counties will be asked to approve a 10-year, 1-cent sales tax…expected to raise $7.2 billion.” Here are some more interesting poll numbers from the AJC:

Overwhelmingly, 91 percent of voters said it was important to address the region’s transportation problems to improve its quality of life and economic future. Additionally, 67 percent said the region’s traffic congestion is deteriorating their quality of life. And 82 percent said it was important to do more to encourage everyone to commute to work by bus or train.

RTD seeks private-sector boost (Denver, Colo.)

Denver has a big transit expansion plan called FasTracks and even a dedicated sales tax to fund it. However, like Measure R in L.A. County, the revenues trickle in over time. Denver transit officials are looking for ways to get more revenue up front and thus accelerate a number projects, according to the Denver Business Journal. While America Fast Forward could help Denver in that regard — as I wrote back in March — FasTracks backers are reaching out to the private sector to see if there are opportunities for the vaunted Public-Private Partnership.

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What's happening at other transit agencies?

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Chicago's CTA is dedicating $25 million to cleaning up 100

This weekly post features news from other transit agencies and planners from around the world. Did we miss a good story? Let us know in the comments. Hat tip to Yonah Freemark of The Transport Politic for digging up a lot of good stories and posting them on Twitter @TTPolitic.

UTA looking at distance-based fares (Salt Lake City, Utah)

The Utah Transit Authority — which runs commuter, light rail and buses in the Salt Lake area — is taking preliminary look at switching from a flat fare system to one that charges commuters varying amounts depending on how far they travel. An agency spokesperson told KSL news, “by lowering the fare for the short trips, we’ll increase our ridership, while at the same time collect the necessary revenue that will allow us to meet our (financial) goals.” UTA is projected to face a $70 million revenue shortfall thanks to the recession, at a time when the agency is trying to extend the reach of its transit system.

Mayor, CTA chief won’t rule out fare increase (Chicago, Ill.)

These days, if you’re a big-city transit agency, then you’re probably experiencing recession-induced budget problems. That’s certainly the case in America’s Second City, where new Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Transit Authority President Forrest Claypool are not ruling out increasing fares to close a budget gap. Presently, the base cash fare is $2.25. The silver lining is that the agency has found enough savings to invest $25 million in some badly needed station maintenance on its heavy rail “L” train system, parts of which are over 100 years old.

Changes mean more Purple Line and trail grade-separation (Bethesda, Md.)

Just outside the nation’s capital, planners at the Maryland Transit Administration are hashing out the finer details on its proposed Purple Line, a light rail line that will travel for 16 miles along an old rail corridor. Sound familiar? Indeed, current and future Metro Rail lines in L.A. County also use old rail rights-of-way as well, so it’s interesting to see how other agencies are handling the benefits and challenges of reusing old infrastructure. Greater Greater Washington has all the details.

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What's happening at other transportation agencies?

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This week we’re kicking off a new regular feature to highlight news from transit agencies and planners from around the world. Do you like the new feature? Have an idea for a story? Let us know in the comments.

Bus “adjustments” may be coming to a line near you (Washington D.C.)

The Greater Washington blog reports that D.C. Metro is shaking up its bus lines in hopes of improving reliability on its busiest lines and reducing costly and inefficient service. If the changes are approved, those goals my be achieved by redirecting some late-night buses to more crowded lines, according to GGW writer David Alpert. He also notes that those who see their service cut may just end up driving if they can — thus adding to congestion — or may be left with no alternative.

New ways to find your way: An interview about TransLink’s new transportation wayfinding strategy (Vancouver, Can.)

Vancouver’s transit agency TransLink is rolling out new wayfinding tools that it hopes will make riding the bus and rails easier for veteran transit riders and newbies alike. For instance, each of Vancouver’s rail lines and bus services presently have “different approaches to use of text and icons, sign placement and [the] type of information provided,” says Project Manager Joanne Proft. The goal is to apply one consistent style across all services so that the important distinctions can be more easily emphasized and recognized by riders.

New York MTA awards contract for new subway station (New York City)

The $301-million contract goes to two contractors to dig the cavern for the new 86th Street station for the much anticipated 2nd Avenue Subway project. They will also do utility work, install a concrete lining in the cavern and help reinforce buildings in the area.

Time-based bicycle destination signage: Tools from Brighton, England

Denver Urbanism blogger John Hayden reports on some good bike infrastructure design practices that he’d like to repatriate to his Rocky Mountain city. Hayden is a particular fan of Brighton’s bike signage that tells bicyclists how far away — in time, not distance — it is to various important destinations, assuming a manageable 10 mph pace. Hayden argues that posting the time would help disabuse Denverites of the impression that biking is a slow way to get from A to B. Commenters: Would you rather see a sign saying 2 miles to the beach or 12 minutes?

Santa Monica City Council approves master cooperative agreement with Expo Construction Authority

On the heals of the Expo Phase II groundbreaking, Santa Monica officials approved a motion at a Tuesday council meeting that commits the city to coordinating with the construction authority on the three-mile stretch of the line that runs through Santa Monica. The council also authorized the City Manager to negotiate with the Authority and the contractor, Skanska-Rados, about station “betterments” at the future Bergamot Station and 17th Street/Memorial Park Station sites. Councilmembers emphasized the importance of embracing complete streets principals along the stretch of Colorado Ave. where the Expo Line will run in the street.

Want to keep appraised of Expo construction activities in S.M.? Consider following @ExpoInSM on Twitter or checking out the city’s official Expo construction webpage.

Footnotes for September 2011 (Foothill Transit)

Did you known that Foothill Transit has a monthly newsletter [PDF]? Check it out!

Ridership experts confident in California’s model (Calif. High-Speed Rail Authority)

A while back some questions were raised about the reliability of the ridership projection model that the Authority was using to formulate its business plan. Well, a blue ribbon peer review panel was convened to look over the ridership projections and the results are in: “We are satisfied with the documentation presented in Cambridge Systematics, and conclude that it demonstrates that the model produces results that are reasonable and within expected ranges for the current environmental planning and Business Plan applications of the model.” There you have it!