Transit Dispatches
Contributing bloggers discuss a variety of topics geared toward the transit and motorcoach sectors.
By Heather Redfern
| May 15, 2013
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Rail fatalities, accidental and intentional, are a national problem. To combat the rise in fatalities and remind the public of the dangers of walking along, playing by or cutting across its train and trolley tracks and through its rail yards and depots, SEPTA held its first-ever Safety Awareness Day on May 1.
By Heather Redfern
| April 16, 2013
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For the month of April, the agency, the Free Library of Philadelphia and Dunkin’ Donuts have “opened” at SEPTA’s Suburban Station what is believed to be the first virtual library at a U.S. train station.
By Alex Roman
| March 14, 2013
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At the end of February, the FMCSA declared the notorious Fung Wah Bus Transportation Inc. to be an imminent hazard and sent the company an out-of-service order, which ordered Fung Wah to immediately provide its entire fleet of 28 motorcoaches for thorough and detailed safety inspections by qualified inspectors. The company was then shut down after not cooperating with FMCSA safety investigators and blocked further access to company safety records.
By Heather Redfern
| March 12, 2013
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Every city has its “hot spots” — places where many gather to “hang out” around the clock. Unfortunately, sometimes these locations aren’t places one should go for a safe, fun time and often the illegal activities that occur there have a negative impact on the community. When Chief Thomas Nestel III re-joined the SEPTA Police Department in 2012, he set out to identify the top “hot spot” served by the agency.
By Will Kempton
| March 5, 2013
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As I begin a new chapter in my career, I wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on my time as CEO of OCTA. With my time at the agency having come to a close, the questions I am asking myself are, ‘Did I make a positive contribution to the organization?’ and ‘Have I left it in better shape than when I arrived?’
By Heather Redfern
| February 12, 2013
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This is the third year of SEPTA’s formal Sustainability Program and its pursuit of a "triple bottom-line" strategy: becoming environmentally, socially and economically sustainable. The agency’s Sustainability Annual Report demonstrates how previously untapped assets are making a difference in the agency’s daily operations.
By Heather Redfern
| January 16, 2013
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In this age of smartphones, tablets, Twitter, Facebook and other social media, rapid transit has taken on a new meaning. Passengers not only want to get to their destinations fast, they want information about their trips in an instant. To answer customers’ demands of immediacy, transportation organizations across the country have taken to using a variety of methods to disseminate details as quickly as possible.
By Heather Redfern
| December 12, 2012
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As public service institutions, transit organizations’ involvement in their communities should extend beyond bus routes and train stations. SEPTA demonstrates good citizenship collectively as an organization and through its employees’ individual community service activities.
By Heather Redfern
| November 13, 2012
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In a time of dwindling government funding, selling ads is an important revenue generator for transit authorities. But the advertising can be more than simply placing a car card on a bus or putting up a poster at a station — creativity can produce an “experience” for customers.
By Michael R. Wiley
| November 1, 2012
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As the GM of the Calif.-based Sacramento Regional Transit District (RT), it is critical to continuously expand my knowledge of all aspects of RT's bus and light rail system. I’ve found that a great way to stay on top of the day-to-day happenings is to ride RT’s buses and trains regularly, either as part of my commute or while conducting RT business.
E-NEWSLETTER
Author Bio
Janna Starcic
Executive Editor
Alex Roman
Managing Editor
Nicole Schlosser
Senior Editor
Michael R. Wiley
GM/CEO, Sacramento Regional Transit District
Heather Redfern
Press Relations Officer, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority
Louie Maiello
Former director of training, New York City Transit Bus & Safety Division and 2003 NTI Fellow, is a consultant for FAAC Inc., bus simulation division, and an independent consultant for "Bus Talk" Surface Solutions.
Dan Reichard
Honorary member, Business Member Board of Governors
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Top Rail Projects
Alstom’s Light Rail Advances Ripe for North American Market
A Closer Look at Rural Transit
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