PTC E-News 7

1 Local
1.1 Transit numbers continue to rise
1.2 PTC hires educational and outreach officer
1.3 PTC organizing workshops for March

2 National
2.1 Federal Government Unveils New Cabinet
2.2 Federal Government Expands Bus Catalytic Converter Retrofit Program
2.3 Anti-idling by-law introduced in Collingwood

3 International
3.1 More Than 700 Transit Leaders Convene In Washington
3.2 Administration Releases FY 2007 Budget Proposal
3.3 Custom text messages keep metro customers informed


Local

1.1 Transit numbers continue to rise

Charlottetown's transit numbers continue to increase. The city reported Monday 8091 passengers used the buses in the month of January, an increase of 1500 from the number of people who used the service in December. "Those figures are way beyoond what Trius projected," said Coun. Kim Devine. "Right from the beginning ridership was way beyoond what they projected. I think it reflects the need for public transit in the city. It says a lot about how people are getting around the city."
www.theguardian.pe.ca


1.2 PTC hires educational and outreach officer

On Tuesday, February 7, Aaron Hawkins began a position with the PEI Public Transit Coalition as intern educational and outreach officer. His role will be essential to the PTC's mission to familiarize all Islanders with the benefits of public transit. The PTC wishes him welcome. Aaron will be working out of the ECO-Net office (566-4696) at 126 Richmond St.


1.3 PTC organizing workshops for March

As part of the workplan for the Social Equity and Public Transit project, the PEI PTC is planning on doing two workshops before mid March. The Public Transit Coalition believes that a Province wide public transit system should be the basis for sustainable economic and social development in rural PEI. During the workshop on public transit and community development participants will examine the important role transportation plays in their lives and the lives of their community. The workshop will also examine the many benefits (social, economic, environmental) of public transit and what needs to happen to get public transit moving in their community and in PEI.

Tentative Workshop dates: Souris Friday March 17th, 10 AM - 2PM location to be confirmed and Monday, March 27th, 10 AM- 2PM Bloomfield area, West date and location to be confirmed.


National


2.1 Federal Government Unveils New Cabinet

Stephen Harper was sworn in today as Canada's 22nd Prime Minister and announced his new cabinet, in which Lawrence Cannon (Pontiac, Québec) becomes Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities; Rona Ambrose (Spruce Grove - Edmonton, Alberta) becomes Minister of the Environment; and Jim Flaherty (Whitby-Oshawa, Ontario) is Minister of Finance.
www.cutaactu.ca


2.2 Federal Government Expands Bus Catalytic Converter Retrofit Program

Environment Canada has confirmed a further extension of its Diesel Oxidation Catalytic Converter Retrofit Program with an additional $200,000. In an agreement with CUTA, this will allow for another 100 transit buses built before 1993 to be equipped with catalytic mufflers that will reduce emissions of smog causing pollutants. Some 239 buses located in 15 municipalities across Canada have already benefited from the retrofits as a result of earlier phases of the program. Under the Program, the federal government contributes $2,000 to buy new catalytic mufflers while public transit authorities take responsibility for the installation. Retrofitted buses emit 20 percent less particulate matter, 40 percent less carbon monoxide and 50 percent fewer hydrocarbons. In order to meet the federal emission standards, 2007 model year buses are expected to emit up to 60 times less particulate matter, a major smog-forming emission, than a 1990-1993 model year bus.
www.cutaactu.ca


2.3 Anti-idling by-law introduced in Collingwood

In Ontario, the Environment Network has convinced Collingwood’s city councillors to introduce an anti-idling by-law. Michele Rich outlined her strategy: "We brought it to their attention," then "we sat back and watched," then "we did a great deal of research and pointed city councillors into various directions." Enforcement of the by-law will begin in March.
www.greencommunities.ca


International


3.1 More Than 700 Transit Leaders Convene In Washington

More than 700 members of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) will convene in Washington, D.C. at the APTA Legislative Conference March 6-7 to discuss a variety of topics including: implementation of SAFETEA-LU; Department of Homeland Security transit security funding; financing issues for the next reauthorization bill; new starts; and coordination of transportation services. On Tuesday, March 7, the 700+ APTA members will visit their congressional representatives.
www.apta.com


3.2 Administration Releases FY 2007 Budget Proposal

The Bush Administration released its Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 Budget proposal, which recommends a funding level of $8.87 billion for the federal transit program. The Administration's proposal represents an increase of $370.3 million or 4.4 percent over the FY 2006 final appropriation level. While the proposal adheres to the transit program authorized under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) in most respects, it would fund only $100 million of the $200 million authorized in FY 2007 for the new small starts program. Thus, the Administration's proposal, if adopted, would provide $100 million less than the $8.97 billion authorized and guaranteed for the federal transit program in FY 2007.
www.apta.com


3.3 Custom text messages keep metro customers informed

Cincinnati’s 390-bus Metro transit system is offering a new "Commuter Alerts" program that uses text messaging and e-mail to send time-sensitive information about detours and other immediate service changes to customers. The alerts are customized for the routes and time slots that the customer requests. Metro is one of the first transit systems in the US to offer this service. Through Commuter Alerts, Metro sends text messages instantly to cell phones and PDAs that accept text messages (Palm Pilot, Blackberry, pager, etc.) to alert customers about immediate changes affecting their routes at that time. Customers can register to receive both text message and e-mail notifications or just e-mail notices.
www.transitnews.net