Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

The van and two new buses come equipped with wheelchair lifts to accommodate disabled passengers and additional seating. The buses have 6.8 liter gasoline engines for better mileage. Each features a seat that converts and accommodates a baby car seat.

Will manage the transit operations for Lake Erie Transit and its 65 employees.

Farhad Mansourian, GM of SMART, the commuter rail system currently under construction, discusses the status of the project, rider experience comparisons, proposals for connections and, system expansion and cost savings.

The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District will replace several railroad crossings during January and February.

If the additional cars are ordered by the end of the year, they can be purchased at the current price. However, bicycle advocates have criticized the plan because it would take away funds from other projects like bike lanes and sidewalk improvements.

On hand to present the awards was past President of the MSBMA and President of Champion Bus John Resnik. Chicago area-based Pace Suburban Bus was the top agency, with more than 1,400 vehicles.

A project design report notes "the use of concrete ties resulted in estimated track costs from 10% to 15% lower than the use of timber ties using conventional track construction methods. If a mechanized track laying system were to be employed, costs could be as much as 40% lower."

Five transportation advocates launched a three-day tour of Michigan by public transit to draw attention to what's working and what isn’t in the state's system.

Representatives from transit agencies in other major cities shared how rapid transit buses helped them improve service, increase ridership and attract redevelopment. Creating a regional agency to operate the system would force coordination and efficiency on overlapping city and suburban bus providers.

Agency used ARRA funds to purchase the buses. Manufactured by Gillig, the hybrid-electric vehicles are 40 percent more fuel efficient.