Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

He succeeds William Millar, who retired on October 31 after serving 15 years as APTA president. Melaniphy was unanimously approved by the APTA board of directors in July after an extensive search that included a pool of 180 candidates.

President also directed the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Interior, Transportation and Housing and Urban Development to each select three "high-priority" construction projects already funded that can be completed within 18 months.

Larger agencies particularly have faced challenges due to the lack of state, local and regional funding. Six in 10 (63 percent) larger agencies implemented or approved hiring freezes, more than the number from the previous 2010 survey (54 percent).

Michael Melaniphy serves as VP, Public Sector for Motor Coach Industries. Prior to that, he worked at First Group and its predecessor companies, serving as GM for public transit systems in Charlotte, N.C.; Wichita, Kan.; and Hamilton, Ohio.

Monthly Transit Savings Report examines how an individual in a two-person household can save money by taking public transportation and living with one less car.

Since becoming president in 1996, Millar has expanded APTA's reach and effectiveness, winning several legislative victories that have substantially increased federal investment in public transportation.

Since last month, gas prices rose another 14 cents, allowing transit riders to save an additional $10 this month. Gas prices have risen nearly $1 since the beginning of 2011, making annual transit saving $115 higher this month, compared to last.

Krauthamer & Associates will begin the nationwide search for William W. Millar's replacement immediately, focusing on candidates with extensive leadership experience in the public transportation and related industries.

Currently, public transportation in the U.S. saves 37 million metric tons of carbon emissions and 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline, according to APTA.

President William A. Millar said that the funding reductions made to public transportation and high-speed rail are troublesome, since these investments are catalysts to create jobs, and untimely, due to the recent sharp rise in gas prices.