Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

The provision, part of Congress’ FY2012 appropriations legislation, allows transit operators in the most populated urban areas to use a portion of their allocated FY2012 FTA funds specifically for this purpose.

County commissioners may authorize an emergency $100 million bridge loan for the struggling Miami-Dade Transit so it can continue work on key capital projects.

American Logistics Co., a national passenger transportation management company, along with Oceanside, Calif.-based North County Transit District and First Transit, have been selected as the winner of the Grand Golden Watchdog Award by the San Diego County Taxpayers Association.

The city's action violates the 38-year funding contract with SORTA. Multiple legal opinions from the city's attorneys since 1973 have protected the transit fund from the city's attempts to use the tax revenue for non-transit purposes.

Will save approximately $7.2 million in salaries and benefits by eliminating more than 70 positions — including more than a dozen at manager level.

The fare changes are expected to be enacted system-wide on June 27. The new fares will generate $108.7 million to help close a $189 million shortfall and build a sound budget for the new fiscal year.

The budget also includes funds to restore transit services cut in 2009 and freezes on salaries and hiring.

For the second year in a row, the budget assumes no wage increase, however, Metro is negotiating new contracts this spring with its major labor unions representing operators, maintenance employees and clerks.

The report found the rate of unscheduled absenteeism for Muni operators is 15 percent, compared with 11 percent in Philadelphia, 6 percent in Los Angeles and 4 percent in Seattle.