Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

Jay H. Walder announced his departure for Hong Kong days after the authority unveiled a capital plan dependent on millions of dollars in still-to-be-approved federal grants. The capital budget is still underfunded by $10 billion.

Significant damage to the line identified last week following Hurricane Irene by an aerial inspection includes up to 40 washout locations, including three washouts each at least a thousand feet long near Sloatsburg, a 400-foot section of track washed out just south of Sloatsburg, significant damage to several railroad bridges and exposure of what had been a subterranean signal cable.

The MTA has begun a careful and disciplined survey of every mile of the Port Jervis Line and all supporting structures, systems and equipment. A team of diverse specialists is being assembled to assess the full extent of damage and develop a work plan that addresses the need to rebuild miles of the right of way.

Jay H. Walder will be joining the MTR Corp. in Hong Kong as CEO and a member of the board of directors.

Darryl Irick has been the acting head of the MTA's bus divisions since late last year when former bus head Joe Smith announced his retirement.

The important milestone exceeds the MTA's original goal to get 75 stations online by the end of the year. A similar project to activate informational signs continues to progress along the lettered lines as well.

Plan relies on expanded cost-cutting initiatives, controlling labor costs and increasing fares and toll revenue.

The $26.3 billion program reflects a nearly $2 billion reduction as the result of a comprehensive review and a new MTA focus on cost effectiveness and efficiency.

In a report of his first 100 days, Walder calls for greater efficiencies both within the organization and for its customers.

Also announces that the leading format for sharing data, known as the Google Transit Feed Specification, will now be known as the General Transit Feed Specification, or GTFS.