Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

The Rail Transit Team Achievement Award is given to the system with the highest rail operator and maintainer team combined score. The winning team members were Rob Brooks, Don Chakov, Nicholas Baldassarre, Adrian Mapp and Sharon Mapp.

Proposed FY 2014 Operating Budget of approximately $1.3 billion, an increase of less than 3% compared to FY 2013. Budget is projected to have a $38 million shortfall. Deferred votes on its operating and capital budgets, due to uncertainties in state funding levels.

Improvements to the Primos station include a new station building; installation of a "kiss and ride" drop-off area; Americans with Disabilities Act accessible high-level platforms on the inbound and outbound sides of the station; increased parking; and newly landscaped areas.

The honor recognizes the system with the highest combined bus operator and maintenance team combined score. Los Angeles' Metro team took second place.

Partnered with the Free Library of Philadelphia and Dunkin' Donuts to offer throughout the month of April what is believed to be the nation's first virtual library at a train station. Riders can access books and podcasts by scanning QR codes or logging on to the Free Library's website.

Part of planned move to an open fare payment system would eliminated extra-fare zone charges on dozens of transit routes and there would be some consolidation of zones on regional rail.

The Disaster Relief Appropriations Act authorized a total of $10.9 billion, which is now reduced by 5%, or $545 million, because of the mandatory budget cuts known as sequestration that took effect on March 1.

The agency and HNTB Corp. were recognized for their work on the area along the Norristown High Speed Line between Roberts Road and Garrett Hill Stations that shifted as a result of the Philadelphia region being deluged with almost 30 inches of rain during a 45-day period in August and September 2011.

Want outside rearview mirrors repositioned, saying they create a blind spot that endangers pedestrians. While agency officials agree that mirrors can create temporary blind spots, they have resisted refitting them, saying that could cause other safety issues.

SEPTA and other systems may get more funding than Gov. Tom Corbett called for in his budget plan. The plan would raise transit funding by $40 million in the first year.