After a successful pilot, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (TX) is moving forward with plans to add surveillance cameras at its 55 light-rail stations. The cameras will focus on platforms and ticket machines and will be monitored in real time on a rotating basis. DART will continue to rely on police to monitor parking lots. TheRead… Read more »
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (NY) is outfitting another 341 buses with security cameras. Eight-five buses are already equipped with surveillance, and the authority will decide shortly whether to install cameras on another 1,100 vehicles. The cameras will store images for a month but will not feed information to New York City Transit’s command center inRead… Read more »
The Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (OH) received a $1 million grant from the Federal Transit Authority to build a solar-panel array at its headquarters and to replace the facility’s lights with energy-efficient equipment. “Toledo is increasingly recognized as the solar capital of the Midwest, so this award is particularly fitting,” said U.S. Rep. MarcyRead… Read more »
When the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (CA) introduced real-time bus information a few months ago, the agency also rolled out new signs to help riders access the info. In addition to listing the bus stop ID number and providing instructions for getting arrival predictions by phone (smart or otherwise) and text message, asRead… Read more »
North America’s first all electric-vehicle car-sharing program is coming to San Diego (CA) by the end of the year. Describing itself as a “free-floating car-sharing service,” car2go encourages spontaneous rentals. Registered drivers will be able to pick a car, swipe a card, and drive off. There is no time limit and no need to makeRead… Read more »
The Memphis Area Transit Authority (TN) is installing digital signs at its trolley stops as part of a systemwide $10 million information technology project. When operational this fall, the signs will display the date, time, expected arrival time, and information about service delays and interruptions. Other ITS upgrades include global positioning systems for buses, passengerRead… Read more »
The Regional Transportation Authority (IL), which oversees transit services in greater Chicago, has revoked credit card privileges for most employees after a high-ranking official apparently used her card for personal expenses. The charges were considered accidental, and the agency was reimbursed, but the agency decided it was time for a change. “It’s kind of handyRead… Read more »
Transport for London (UK) will support NFC payments on mobile phones in 2012, according to NFC World. “We are now in a position to say that if people come along with a contactless credit or debit card application on their mobile, we can accept it as an NFC payment in 2012,” Brian Dobson, manager ofRead… Read more »
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is seeking public feedback on the design for its new diesel-electric locomotives. Over the next two weeks, visitors to the MBTA website can cast their ballots for one of three designs. “This is an exciting time for commuter rail, and we’d like to make our customers a part of it,”Read… Read more »
As riders endure July’s oppressive heat, Société de transport de Montréal (QC) is asking its customers whether they want air-conditioned buses. The survey — which, in a ironic twist, is being distributed to riders on STM’s handful of air-conditioned buses — also asks passengers whether they would be willing to pay more for air-conditioned busesRead… Read more »