NEW ORLEANS - The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is collecting responses for a survey focused on the future of fare collections within the RTA system and neighboring transit systems within the greater New Orleans area. With the goal of improving regional connections, the RTA seeks to better understand current rider fare preferences and how modernization of fare technology will improve the overall transit experience throughout the region. The survey can be found at www.norta.com/fare-survey until Friday, October 1. Read more
Rides up for DCTA's GoZone service, but still less than bus usage
The Denton County Transportation Authority this week discussed the early results of its GoZone on-demand rideshare service — which produced fewer rides than the Connect fixed-route bus service through its first 11 days — and formally adopted its fiscal year 2022 budget. One of DCTA’s longest-planned projects, and arguably the most important, GoZone launched on Sept. 7. Similar to Uber or Lyft, the GoZone service has residents schedule a ride from contractor Via Transportation, which then picks them up in a minivan and drops them off at their destination. The contract with the New York City-based company could last up to four years if DCTA chooses to pick up two one-year options, in which case it would pay out over $33 million. Read More
Galveston's Island (Rail) Trolley Returns October 1
Galveston is excited to announce the return of the Galveston Island Trolley service on weekends beginning October 1. This will be the first trolley rail service since they were flooded during Hurricane Ike in 2008. Three of the four historic trolleys have been beautifully restored and have completed testing for state and federal certification.
Help SWTA Collect Workforce Pay & Benefit Info for Peer Use (Responses Kept Confidential)
With COVID impacting personnel issues in a number of ways, SWTA's Workforce Compensation Survey will allow transit providers to learn about salary, pay and other personnel compensation levels at similarly-sized agencies as well as those in your state. Data shared in this survey will not be matched with specific agencies upon publication.Respond to our survey here.
Comanche Nation Launches Service in Anadarko
Beginning on October 1, Comanche Nation will begin service in Anadarko, Okla., with trips open to the public Monday-Friday. Fares for in-town trips and in the larger region – including as far as Lawton – are available. More information is available from Comanche Nation Transit.
DART expands contactless-payment system
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) has expanded its contactless payment on all bus, light rail and Dallas Streetcar vehicles.
The system enables riders to pay for their DART transit fare with a contactless credit, debit card, or a payment-enabled mobile phone or wearable device, according to a DART news release. Read more
Want to get more students on board?
Road-Ready Marketing's "Back to School" Package is a customizable, comprehensive and high-quality campaign template to promote taking transit to school. SWTA members get a 75% discount (enter coupon code SWTA at checkout).
Includes: Implementation Guide, Messaging Framework, draft copy and graphics. Optional add-ons: Brand Customization, animated videos, Print Package, Spanish translation and radio PSA. Email help@roadreadymarketing.com with any questions.
Transit News from Across the SWTA Nation
Lafayette (LA) bus route extending to Amazon center for employees (KATC.com)
TX: CapMetro orders nation's largest electric bus fleet (Capital Metro) & rethinks public safety measures with creation of transit police (Mass Transit) but faces continued driver shortage (Austin Monitor)
San Antonio's VIA Holds Tele-Town Hall to Discuss Proposed Service Changes (VIA)
Denton (TX) City Council adopts 'no new revenue' tax rate (Denton RC)
NATHPO Announces Special Guests to the First Annual Sacred Sites Summit (PR Newswire)
Tulsa Transit Will Require Exemption Form To Ride Without A Mask (News on 6)
DART will offer on-demand ride program through a smartphone app in Ankeny this fall (Des Moines)
Centerra Loveland (CO) Mobility Hub leads way for public transit, with opportunity for more in reach (Reporter Herald)
Lake Havasu City Transit (AZ) Announces Launch of DIRECT Service (Signals AZ)
SWTA Nation Job Postings
Asst. General Manager – GALVESTON ISLAND TRANSIT
Associate Transit Planner - MOUNTAIN LINE (Flagstaff, AZ)
Chief Financial Officer - TOPEKA METRO
Assistant Director - WEST CENTRAL MASS TRANSIT CENTER
The logjam in the House of Representatives seems to have broke in the past few days, with Speaker Nancy Pelosi setting a vote for Thursday on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill (BIB) already passed by the Senate. Previously, Pelosi had sought to pass the bill along with a separate, larger piece of legislation supporting other priorities of her party, known as a budget reconciliation bill. With far more work to be done on that effort and current surface transportation legislation (the FAST Act) set to expire tomorrow, the time to act on the infrastructure bill is now
However, passage of the BIB in the House is far from certain currently, with progressive Democrats demanding a path forward for the reconciliation bill, while Republican leaders are whipping votes against the BIB to defeat a major item on President Biden's initial agenda.
We’ll continue to keep you informed via this Newsletter, on our Twitter & Facebook pages and at www.swta.org. Please don’t hesitate to contact SWTA Executive Director directly with questions at rsampson@swta.org or 225.270.0855.
Meanwhile, over at the Federal Transit Administration, the agency is seeking the input of transit industry personnel, researchers, contractors, government entities, transit users, and other interested parties to make American transit safer for millions of frontline staff. FTA has announced a Request for Information (RFI) soliciting public input on potential transit worker safety mitigations, including potential minimum safety standards for Roadway Worker Protection programs and operator assault prevention. The RFI closes on November 23, 2021.
UPCOMING EVENTS FROM STATE & NATIONAL TRANSIT ASSOCIATIONS
