How Congress and the administration respond to these demands of a lengthier extension or a full six-year renewal of federal law may determine the future of the industry as we know it.

The new $1.4 million, 120,000-square-foot rail service facility on Mare Island, currently offers the capacity to work on 15 railcars. The site, which features a 50-foot maintenance pit, is set up to handle maintenance/wreck repair, renovation/rebuilds, and supply chain management services.

After a senator’s proposal resulted in an exemption granted to a Seattle transit agency to provide transportation to sporting events, many in the motorcoach industry are concerned for the Rule’s future and defend its importance.

Transit agencies report that reviewing fare collection controls and system security is a continual process. Experts recommend appointing a revenue auditor to perform daily checks and reports, performing regular preventive maintenance on fareboxes and putting policies and procedures in writing.

The changes may substantially impact what sort of projects will be selected in the program going forward, with more of a focus on sustainable, economically beneficial projects. The addition of programs, such as funding for urban circulators, may also play a major role in how New Starts/Small Starts decisions will be made in the future.

The tragic earthquake in Haiti last January was still fresh in the minds of those who attended the Connecting Communities emergency preparedness workshop in Orlando, Fla.

Using $5.4 million in stimulus funding it received, the Central Arkansas Transit system purchased four paratransit vehicles and eight fixed-route buses. As a result, Executive Director Betty Wineland said that for the first time in more than 33 years, the agency will have no buses in its fleet that exceed the recommended 12-year retirement age.

Suggestions include providing a job description detailing what the position entails and creating a referral program, which rewards current employees for bringing in new recruits.

Green efforts sprout new business

Personal stories add to tour experience