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US House Passes H.R. 2746 to Permit Broader Use for 5307 Funds for Communities of All Sizes

A push by more than 70 house members sparked action in the US House of Representatives that has resulted in legislation that could help cash-strapped public transit agencies nationwide.

The group, led by Representatives Russ Carnahan (D-MO), Doris Matsui (D-CA), and Dan Lipinski (D-IL), wrote a letter in May 2009 to leaders of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee that outlined the difficulties transit agencies are having covering their operating costs, and proposed the expanded use of transit funds for operating expenses in the upcoming authorization as a practical solution. The letter was signed by over 70 House Members.

In response to this broad push for action, H.R. 2746 was passed June 11, 2009 that amends the 5307 program providing Urbanized Area Formula Grants funds. Among its provisions:

• communities of all sizes can use a portion of those funds for operating expenses
• higher percentage benefits go to smaller communities
• incentive grants to enhance state and local transit investments
• incentive grants to reduce greenhouse gases and energy use

The sponsors of this legislation are seeking to make this a part of the surface transportation authorization bill.  It has been endorsed by both the Amalgamated Transit Union and T4 America.

12,000+ Red, White, and Blue Signs Ready for Imminent WMATA Roll Out of Real-time Passenger Info for Greater Washington DC Metro Area

The extensive bus network of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Agency is preparing for the July 1 roll out of advanced NextBus technology.

Operating the 5th largest bus system in the US, WMATA serves a population of more than 3.5 million. The agency operates more than 1000 buses on 180 lines and 332 routes with more than 12,000 stops.  The NextBus system will simplify system operation by providing a rich suite of real-time data and management reports.

Bus passengers will now benefit from the same kind of timely arrival info  they now receive on WMATA’s Metrorail system.  The most obvious indicator of the soon-to-launch NextBus service are the new signs that have sprouted all over the DC metro area.

Each of the round, red, white and blue Next Bus signs posted at  Metrobus stops includes a unique, identifying bus stop number and the phone number to call to get real-time bus arrival information for that bus stop. Signs currently are being posted at more than 12,000 Metrobus stops in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.

Easy to Use System for All Bus Passengers

Passengers first need to look for the bus stop number on the Next Bus sign located at the Metrobus stop then call 202-637-7000. Say “Next Bus” when prompted. Enter your bus stop number and bus route number when prompted. You will hear the estimated arrival time of the next bus at your stop. For those passengers using a bus stop with an LED sign, the continuously updated information on the next bus’ arrival will be posted for everyone to see.

Riders can also visit Metro’s Web site: MetroOpensDoors.com or wmata.com and click on the link to the Next Bus page.  Passengers quickly access arrival info by entering their bus stop number or specifying the Metrobus route number they want, indicating the direction they are traveling and selecting the right bus stop from the list or map. Next Bus will provide the estimated arrival time of the next bus at your stop. 

Riders can also can get the bus arrival times on other wireless devices such as iPhones.

US Revenues Also Increase Dramatically over Q2 2008

The parent company of NextBus, Inc., Grey Island Systems International Inc.(GIS) reports record revenue of $6.35-million in the second quarter of fiscal 2009. This represented an increase of 43 percent as compared with revenue of $4.44-million in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 and represented an increase of 32 percent quarter over quarter with the first quarter of fiscal 2009 revenue of $4.80-million.

At the same time, the company posted net income of $0.282-million during the second quarter fiscal 2009, an increase of 485 percent as compared with a net income of $0.058-million for the second quarter of 2008 and a marked improvement over the first quarter of 2009 in which the company incurred a net loss of $0.264-million.

Moreover, the company improved its cash and short-term investments by $1.15-million during the quarter bringing total cash and short-term investments to $12.53-million. The company’s stated future goal is to maintain only moderate increases in operating expenses on a quarter-by-quarter basis when compared with expected revenue increases.

Among key financial highlights:

• Record Revenues of $6.35-million, up $1.91-million or 43 per cent from second quarter of fiscal 2008 and up 32 percent from the previous quarter;
• Income of $0.282-million, up from a net income of $0.058-million in second quarter of fiscal 2008 and compared with a net loss of $0.264-million in the previous quarter;
• Recurring revenues increased by 51 percent to $2.67-million for the second quarter 2009 compared to the second quarter of 2008 recurring revenues of $1.77-million;
• US revenue increased by 75 percent to $4.20-million for the second quarter 2009 from $2.40-million for the second quarter of 2008;
• Cash and short-term investments improved to $12.53-million during the quarter.

Owen Moore, President at Grey Island stated: “Our results this quarter are indicative of a company which can quickly adapt to economic uncertainty and re-focus efforts on business units which are insulated to a recessionary impact, as a result, the company illustrated significant organic growth, both year over year and quarter over quarter, through new client acquisition while limiting operating expense expansion. Further, we have a solid balance sheet with a healthy cash position that will allow us to continue to capitalize on future opportunities”.
Andrew Moore, Grey Island’s CEO added, “Factors such as increasing fuel prices, increased funding for public transit, a need for improved mobile work force accountability in government fleets will continue to drive demand for our products and services.”

Societe de transport de Laval(STL) Awards $2 million contract to Nextbus.

The residents of the picturesque 2nd Largest City in Quebec are heavy users of the STL with 42% of households and 27% of the population as riders.  Thus, the addition of real-time passenger information available everywhere will make a real difference to these millions of public transit users. The new NextBus system will enable the 20 million passengers to plan their journeys much more efficiently and will help the STL operate at peak efficiency.

The STL, which dates to December 1984, runs 225 buses over 42 bus routes covering 408 square miles. The system operates almost around the clock—22 hours weekdays and 21 hours on weekends.

The STL awarded a contract for the NextBus real-time predictive arrival system to provide real time passenger information for the Societe de transport de Laval, subject to the company meeting certain bonding requirements. The contract award is worth in excess of $2,000,000.

NextBus will provide STL with an integrated automatic vehicle location and passenger information system. Societe de transport de Laval passengers will be able to obtain the accurate arrival time of their bus, as determined by the real time position of the vehicle instead of schedule time. Bus arrival predictions will be available on the web, on personal digital assistants, via txt messaging and on electronic display signs at selected bus stops and stations.

NextBus uses global positioning satellites and advanced computer modeling to track buses on their routes. Taking into account the actual position of the transit vehicles, their intended stops, and the typical traffic patterns, NextBus accurately estimates the arrival times of the buses. These estimates are updated constantly as the vehicles are tracked. The information is available where it is needed most; at certain individual stops via electronic display signs, personal digital assistants, on cell phones using text messaging and on the internet.