METRO Briefs
Two buses crash in L.A.
LOS ANGELES — Two transit buses collided in downtown Los Angeles this week, with the impact causing one of the buses to continue traveling 150 feet until it crashed into the front of a parking garage. Eleven people were injured, two seriously. For the full story, click here.
Florida cities may pass on fed money for trolley
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Five Palm Beach County cities may reject $1.2 million in federal grants for a community trolley service that would feed into the Palm Tran and Tri-Rail transit systems. A local company operating trolleys in two of those cities has refused to accept tougher hiring and firing guidelines set down by the federal agency overseeing the grants, which would force those cities to find another company to provide transit service or cover the additional costs. For the full story, click here.
Massachusetts' governor takes control of turnpike, dig
BOSTON — Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney officially took control of the state's turnpike authority as well as the troubled Big Dig project on Wednesday, following the departure of former Chairman Matthew Amorello. Romney swore in Transportation Secretary John Cogliano, who promised to bring swift change to the agency as chairman and interim chief executive of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority. For the full story, click here.
More Management

FRA Announces $5.3B in Rail Investments, Including $2B for Amtrak
Funding will support grade-crossing improvements, infrastructure upgrades, and new Amtrak equipment in 23 states.
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Finding the ‘Happy Medium’: Optimizing Maintenance Without Sacrificing Reliability
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
San Antonio's transit agency said accelerated service improvements are driving ridership growth, offering another example of how increased frequency and workforce investments can translate into stronger transit performance.
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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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