METRO Briefs
New CTA chief makes customer service 'top priority' Gov. intervenes in Calif. bus driver strike Minneapolis transit ramping up bus security
New CTA chief makes customer service 'top priority'
CHICAGO — Ron Huberman officially took over Tuesday as president of Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), succeeding Frank Kruesi. Huberman addressed an audience of CTA managers and reporters shortly after his appointment and said he will bring the same "performance management system" he employed at City Hall to the CTA. To read the full story, click here.
Gov. intervenes in Calif. bus driver strike
LOS ANGELES — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger intervened on Monday to prevent a strike over bus driver wages at the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA). The governor appointed a three-member panel to investigate the dispute between OCTA and Teamsters Local 952, which represents about 1,400 bus drivers, mechanics and other workers. To read the full story, click here.
Minneapolis transit ramping up bus security
Metro Transit of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn., plans to add five times more police presence on city routes and buy new surveillance cameras for 240 buses. The agency will spend $2.4 million on this security improvement to reassure passengers following two homicides and a third violent attack on buses since early March. To read the full story, click here.
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Funding will support grade-crossing improvements, infrastructure upgrades, and new Amtrak equipment in 23 states.
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The key to maintenance optimization isn’t doing less work—it’s doing the right work at the right time on the right assets.
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People Movement: MARTA Drops Interim Tag on GM/CEO Hunt and More
In this edition, METRO covers recent appointments and announcements at the FMCSA, HDR, SilverRide, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.
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VIA Metropolitan Transit Reports 2 Million More Passenger Trips as Better Bus Plan Gains Momentum
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ABAF Study Reveals Growing Insurance Crisis for Motorcoach Operators
Preliminary findings show 98% of operators faced premium increases over the past five years, while shrinking insurer participation is putting added pressure on businesses and customers.
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PSTA Modernizes Workforce Management with Digital Bidding System
The award-winning Workforce Transit Modernization project replaced paper bidding with a transparent digital platform, cutting administrative effort while improving access for operators.
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Chicago to Host Public Transportation's Biggest Gathering at APTA TRANSform & EXPO 2026
North America’s largest public transportation gathering returns to Chicago, connecting transit decision-makers with the technologies, ideas, and partnerships driving the industry forward.
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New Tricks for Old Bureaucracies: Joshua Schank on Making Transit Innovation Stick
Former LA Metro Chief Innovation Officer Joshua Schank discusses why good ideas aren't enough, how transit agencies can overcome resistance to change, and why today's challenges demand more innovation.
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Washington's Community Transit Sets Six-Year Roadmap for Growth, Expansion
Approved TDP targets more bus service, new mobility options, Swift BRT expansion, and a potential Everett Transit annexation.
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OKC Streetcar Makes Zero-Fare Service Permanent
Ridership increased an average of 71% compared with the same period a year earlier during the fare-free pilot.
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