Transdev Expands Pilot Programs for Autonomous Passenger Shuttles
Transdev is now operating Autonomous Vehicle (AV) passenger shuttles in multiple cities in Europe. Based on the success of those programs, the company has formed the Transdev Autonomous Vehicle Group to expand AV pilots and programs to North America.
Transdev’s current AV operations carry 4,000 passengers per day in two locations. In Rotterdam, Netherlands, Transdev’s 1.1-mile route links a metro station to a business park. In Civaux, Transdev operates the first commercial autonomous fleet in France on a 1.5-mile route at a nuclear power plant. In the U.S., pilot programs featuring Trandev’s AV turnkey solution are in development in campus environments and other selected communities.
MassTransitmag.com/12226485
Dallas Buses Arrive in Charleston
The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) purchased five 2003 NABI buses from Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). The 40 foot-long vehicles will deliver $150,000 of potential advertising revenue and cost CARTA just $31,400. Each bus can hold 40 passengers.
MassTransitmag.com/12209770
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus Hits OC Streets
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) unveiled its first zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell bus as part of a continuing effort to expand and improve an eco-friendly transportation system. The new bus is part of a two-year demonstration project.
MassTransitmag.com/12211714
XL Hybrids Introduces Hybrid Electric Low-Floor Shuttle Bus with Arboc
XL Hybrids Inc. introduced hybrid electric low-floor shuttle bus with Arboc Specialty Vehicles. The GM cutaway buses upfitted with the XL3 Hybrid Electric Drive System are designed to meet Arboc’s specifications to optimize accessibility for paratransit and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
MassTransitmag.com/12217312
New Mobile Ticketing App for Channel Cat
The Channel Cat Water Taxi, a passenger ferry service run by Rock Island County Metropolitan Mass Transit District (MetroLINK), recently announced the launch of its new account-based mobile ticketing app.
MassTransitmag.com/12215711
L.A. Metro Selects SmartDrive Across Bus and Rail Fleets
SmartDrive Systems announced Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) has selected SmartDrive for rollout across its entire fleet of 2,350 buses and 315 rail cars. Metro has awarded the company a new five-year contract for its bus lines while also expanding its deployment to include the light and heavy rail system.
MassTransitmag.com/12222652
AVTA Purhcasing WAVE Chargers
The Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA) to purchase Wireless Advanced Vehicle Electrification (WAVE) charging systems as part of its clean bus initiative. Once operational, the WAVE en-route chargers will allow AVTA’s electric buses to charge during layovers as passengers board and disembark.
MassTransitmag.com/12217315
The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide) received Gold Level recognition through the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Sustainability Commitment.
MassTransitmag.com/12217936
Motor Coach Industries (MCI) announced Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Metro) accepted delivery of 10 new MCI Commuter Coaches.
MassTransitmag.com/12217925
The city of Ottawa awarded the STV/Aecom/Morrison Hershfield/McMillen Jacobs Associates joint venture a contract for the preliminary engineering and program management of the second stage of the city’s $3 billion O-Train light rail transit extension program.
MassTransitmag.com/12218514
First Transit announced it has signed a new contract with Tri Delta Transit in Antioch, California. First Transit operates 92 buses for the fixed-route and paratransit services and will staff the call center, dispatch and operations functions.
MassTransitmag.com/12224159
Kiessling Transit is retrofitting 32 of its transport buses with the Lightning Hybrids’ Energy Recovery System (ERS), a system that improves fuel efficiency by 25 percent and reduces tailpipe emissions.
MassTransitmag.com/12226949
The Transit Joint Powers Authority for Merced County (TJPAMC) selected Lost Art Communications LLC (Lost Art) to serve as its transit marketing services contractor.
MassTransitmag.com/12227552
Graffiti Shield Inc. completed all the newly added Gold Line Extension and Expo Line Extension stations, installing Metal Shield and Glass Shield to all metal and glass surfaces on the street, mezzanine, and platform levels to protect the surfaces from vandalism.
MassTransitmag.com/12228592
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) selected Harsco Corp.’s Safe Turn Alert pedestrian warning system, developed and produced by the Company’s Protran Technology unit, for installation across SEPTA’s entire transit bus fleet of 1,075 vehicles.
MassTransitmag.com/12229331
Urban Solar has been awarded a contract to supply solar-powered LED lighting systems to Long Beach Transit (LBT). They will be installing Urban Solar's RMS 60F lighting solution, an autonomous stand-alone solar-powered LED bus shelter lighting solution.
MassTransitmag.com/12215910
The Port Authority of Allegheny County will be replacing its existing bid-dispatch system with GIRO’s HASTUS software.
MassTransitmag.com/12210949
Complete Coach Works (CCW) delivered three buses to the Ark Encounter, a biblical theme park in Williamstown, Kentucky.
MassTransitmag.com/12216863
People in the News
David Wemmer, P.E.
Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam Inc.
David Wemmer joined Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam Inc. (LAN) as California rail and transit director. Wemmer has more than 36 years of experience in the railway industry. Previously he served as a principal project manager on large and complex transit projects for clients throughout the state, including the California High-Speed Rail Authority, San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit, Sacramento Regional Transit District, Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, and the city and county of San Francisco.
MassTransitmag.com/12210276
Gregg Baxter
First Transit
First Transit announced the appointment of Gregg Baxter as vice president of rail. In this new role, Baxter will support all rail initiatives in North America. He will also assist in the development and support of First Transit’s international rail operations. He has more than 25 years of rail transportation experience in areas such as operations, customer service, safety and business development. His past roles include serving as the director of operations for the San Joaquin Regional Commission and as assistant general manager of road operations for the California Corridor at Amtrak and most recently as president of Keolis Rail Services America Inc.
MassTransitmag.com/12209731
Brian Dewsnup
Motor Coach Industries
Motor Coach Industries (MCI) announced Brian Dewsnup has been named vice president and general manager of MCI Aftermarket. Dewsnup, previously vice president, business development of New Flyer of America Inc., succeeds Wolfgang Winzer, who is retiring after four years at MCI. Dewsnup was part of the New Flyer team that completed the MCI acquisition, and was previously the vice president and general manager of operations of North American Bus Industries Inc., which the company purchased in June 2013. Dewsnup will continue to report to Paul Soubry, president and chief executive officer of the company.
MassTransitmag.com/12211974
Steve Witter
TriMet
Steve Witter was promoted to executive director of TriMet’s Capital Projects and Construction Division. In his new position, Witter will lead all planning, development, design and construction, and improvement of TriMet’s capital projects, including many state of good repair efforts, the Powell-Division Transit and Development Project, and the Southwest Corridor light rail project. Witter most recently served as program manager for TriMet’s $1.5 billion MAX Orange Line, known as the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Project, which opened on time and about $50 million under budget.
MassTransitmag.com/12217313
Henry Li
Sacramento Regional Transit District
The Sacramento Regional Transit District (RT) Board of Directors announced the appointment of Henry Li as the new general manager/CEO. Li is already an executive management team member at RT; he joined RT in March as the assistant general manager of Administration, overseeing finance, human resources, procurement and information technology. Prior to his arrival at RT, Li served as the vice president of finance and technology/chief financial officer for the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) in Jacksonville, Forida. Li has also held senior management positions at the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority.
MassTransitmag.com/12218518
Ryan Adams
Keolis Transit America
Keolis Transit America announced the appointment of Ryan Adams to senior vice president of strategic development, with overall responsibility for the company’s business development activity and performance management systems.
For the past three years, Adams had served as the company’s vice president of strategy and corporate development, overseeing efficiency reviews, special projects and developing the company’s business intelligence platform. Adams’ transit career began as an intern with transportation companies in both the U.S. and Spain.
MassTransitmag.com/12220882
