Explore Live NextBus Implementation
We now have more than 50 North American transit systems using real-time reporting on 100s of routes. Please begin with a virtual visit to the new NextBus installation at MIT in Cambridge, MA--and from there to all of our live installations. Click here to begin your exploration.
Jun
12
Increased Fed Funds Closer to Availability for Transit Operating Expenses
Filed Under Feature Stories, Government Funding, Municipal Transit, Transit Funding, Transit Trends | Leave a Comment
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.
Mar
3
New Help from the FHWA, FTA, & DOT on Use of Stimulus Funds
Filed Under Feature Stories, Financing University Systems, Intelligent Transportation Systems, Municipal Transit, Transit Funding, Transportation Trends | Leave a Comment
Advice on How to Pursue Those Federal Transit Dollars
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration have issued guidance to assist state and local agencies in preparing for implementation of the stimulus bill. The guidance includes Q&As and actions that can be taken to expedite economic recovery projects. According to FHWA, projects such as traffic signal upgrades, traffic monitoring and weigh-in-motion equipment, ramp metering, dynamic message signs, road weather information systems, and similar operational strategies can be included as part of larger projects or as standalone projects.
To download Q&A’s from the FHWA that should provide answers to many of the questions you’ve certainly been wondering about, click on the link below:
Excellent Whitepaper Just Released on Intelligent Transportation Investments
The ITS Joint Program Office has also announced the availability of a white paper that informs public agencies about investment opportunities in ITS and related operational strategies.
The white paper, “Investment Opportunities for Managing Transportation Performance through Technology,” is now available for your information and use. This white paper was prepared by the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) to inform public agencies about investment opportunities for the economic recovery and stimulus package being developed under the Obama administration.
The paper contains information about types of projects that support the operation of the transportation system, such as intelligent transportation systems (ITS). It is divided into three sections:
- Summary – .PDF
-
Background – Paragraphs on each technology option mentioned – .PDF
-
Appendix – One-page summaries of the technology with benefits information – .PDF
Feb
25
Fed Stimulus Dollars Now Available to Help Make Your Transit System Smarter and More Efficient
Filed Under AVL Systems, Feature Stories, Intelligent Transportation Systems, Municipal Transit, Real-time Passenger Information Systems, Transit Funding, Transit Trends | Leave a Comment
Intelligent Transportation Technologies Eligible Under 2009 Economic Stimulus Plan
There is finally some good funding news for transit systems in the United States. Pervasive budget cutbacks have made it difficult to run, let alone improve, public bus and rail systems. That’s about to change because of transit provisions in the stimulus plan.
You community will now have the opportunity to implement intelligent transportation technologies, such as real-time passenger information from NextBus. These solutions will enable you to serve increasing passenger loads with optimum operational and fiscal efficiency. And, we can move quickly to help you implement money-saving NextBus solutions.
Exactly how will NextBus customers benefit from investing federal stimulus dollars?
They improve their operational productivity, reduce their need to buy new buses, and provide a service to their passengers that empowers them to better manage their time.
Larger communities have deployed NextBus technology to reduce traffic congestion by increasing public ridership, to reduce emissions by taking cars off the road, and to help us become energy independent.
In fact, dozens of successful implementations are delivering tangible improvements in transit systems across the country.
Passengers can view this real-time arrival information on signs at stops, at terminals, on the Web, on their cell phones, using text messaging, or through dialing a telephone for an automated response. NextBus allows passengers to reduce their overall travel time, reduce perceived waiting time, and reduce exposure to bad weather and/or crime.
In fact, not a week goes by without emails from happy transit passengers who tell us: “I love NextBus”.
Large, medium, and small transit systems rely on NextBus
NextBus, is the North American leader in utilizing GPS and GIS technology to provide Real-Time Passenger Information, including accurate predicted arrival times and expected delays or service interruptions, to transit riders.
Three of the top ten transit systems in North America utilize NextBus and we have 50% of the market for those universities/colleges that have implemented a real-time passenger information solution.
Our customers include such diverse organizations as San Francisco MUNI, WMATA (Washington, D.C.), the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, AC Transit, Georgia Tech, and the Pennsylvania Hospital. Toronto Transit, the 3rd largest transit system in North America recently chose NextBus to encourage ridership and increase transit productivity.
To see just how our system works(in real-time), here are links to two live, real-time arrival predictions:
AC Transit Prediction
Learn exactly how NextBus can make your operation more productive while increasing rider satisfaction. Simply, email our Director of Business Development, Larry Rosenshein, at larryr@nextbus.com or call him at 973-768-3606.