Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

There were 55.5 million passenger trips taken on bus during the year, which was 5.2% higher than the previous fiscal year and more than 800,000 more passenger trips taken in fiscal year 2009, which was when the previous bus ridership record was set.

San Diego MTS collected 54% of the cost of operating the trolley through fares, more than double the nationwide average of 24%, according to federal data.

In January 2011, NCTD awarded a contract to HTSI for the installation of a new train control management system and the provision of dispatch services for a 10-year period on the coastal rail line and the inland SPRINTER light-rail line that runs from Oceanside to Escondido.

Will purchase 53 new 40-foot low-floor compressed natural gas buses for $22.3 million and seven more low-floor trolleys for $26.9 million, in addition to 57 low-floor cars already on order.

Gets perfect score for second consecutive time. Oversight committee compared MTS to other transit systems in the U.S. and found that it is the most efficiently operated transit agency among nine peer systems.

Undercover security operations arrested five juveniles in the past two weeks who are responsible for 277 individual tags, causing more than $25,000 worth of damage to San Diego MTS property. Pictures of their tags were put into the Graffiti Tracker system, which has a database of tags throughout the region.

The low-floor cars, which cost $233 million, are part of the $620 million Trolley Renewal Project made possible by a combination of TransNet, state and federal dollars. Blue and Orange Line stations are being reconstructed to raise platforms and add modern amenities for passengers, including next arrival signage and new shelters.

Will include the operation of 29 vehicles by 37 drivers. First Transit has worked with MTS for 11 years and also operates the system’s paratransit service.

The contract also includes Vehicle Information Management software, which will supply MTS with vehicle status reports, event logs, on-demand video clip retrieval and automated downloads of event video.

Worth $1.4 million, the contract includes the option of equipping an additional 14 light rail vehicles in the future.