Identity Project
Some young community organizers with an array of interests are putting together an event June 2nd to look at new and creative ways to draw attention to your cause. If you have an interest in looking at creative ways to promote transit or alternative modes of transportation, consider meeting up with these organizers June 2nd and make a connection over vodka.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=165764970149607
A surprising amount of money.
Recent events in Egypt have resulted in higher crude prices. Crude in London just closed above $100 a barrel for the first time since 2008. Remember how high gas prices got in 2008? It wasn’t pretty. We intuitively know it hurts. But, really, how much money actually gets taken out of Central Texan’s pockets when gas prices go up that much? More importantly, how does that affect our regional economy? That’s kind of important, isn’t it?
Take a look at these two maps from the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) showing the difference, from 2000 to 2008, in how much of a Central Texan’s income was spent on their transportation. (article continues after the graphic)
One can derive other insights from these two maps, but, for one, they show that we collectively spent a higher portion of our income on transportation as time progressed. Central Texans are expending a good portion of their treasure on commuting. Here’s another way to look at it: Gasoline costs per capita went from $1098/year in 2000 to $3028/year in 2008. (2009 CNT) That’s greater than inflation (which excludes gas volatility) The five county area had 1.64 million people in 2008 (COA demographer), meaning that those people spent $3.2 billion (3,180 million million) more on gas than that same number of people would have spent in the year 2000. That rise is greater than inflation (which excludes gas prices). The increase alone is more than three times the annual budget of AISD and about the size of the City of Austin’s budget which employs 10,000 people. How much of that $3.1 billion came back into the local economy? Probably some, because some locals own gas stations or own Exxon stock, but still, it’s hard to imagine much of that money stayed in Austin.
The next question would be – can we do anything about it? I mean, aren’t all the policy levers in Washington, D.C., or at the very least, with “the Lege”? Are all the solutions the ones that we’ve heard of before? In upcoming posts, we’ll explore different approaches, and their potential effects not only on our economy, but also on quality of life issues. And no, it’s not *only* looking at solutions that spend money on transit – or necessarily buying more efficient cars. In fact, our blog will expand to reach topics of how we physically arrange buildings and our transportation networks, but we’ll also explore some “low hanging fruit” — but please forgive me in advance if *some* of the ideas will be about transit, okay? — Chris Ewen
Become an APT Volunteer!
Volunteer Alert!
As you know, the Leander to Austin or the “Red Line” will be running starting next Monday.
We expect a lot of enthusiasm from riders and even onlookers on this historic day for Austin.
In order to grow our transit system – we need to support groups like the Alliance for Public Transportation who will have volunteers at the downtown and MLK Stations all week.
Can you help us by handing out pro-transit literature and asking people to complete a short questionnaire?
Our goal is to reach people who are seeing the value of having multi-modal transportation options by letting them know of APT’s mission.
Our strongest needs are here:
Monday the 27th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at both the Downtown Station and the MLK Station. Many people will be getting off at the MLK Station as there will be CapMetro shuttles going back and forth to the UT campus.
We still have a few slots available for the morning shifts at the downtown station. Those shifts start at 7:00 a.m. and go until 9 a.m.
Please Let Dave Foster know of your interest by e-mailing him at dfoster@cleanwater.org and which of the two stations you prefer to volunteer at. You will be there along with several other APT representatives so don’t worry about being alone out there.
Help us recruit more transit-friendly supporters!
Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce
Friends of Transit:
This is another reminder of a very important regional discussion on mobility. Please share with others and help us ensure a good showing from transit advocates.
The Alliance for Public Transportation is part of a coalition supporting local option funding for ALL modes of transportation during the upcoming legislative session. Our own Senator Watson and Senator John Carona of Dallas will be in Austin March 24th to talk about the role the State of Texas can and should have in funding our future mobility needs. All transit advocates who are able – should attend this luncheon sponsored by the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and learn more about where we stand and how the State can be a partner in the growth our region is experiencing.
March 24th; 11:30
Four Seasons Hotel
Click on this link in order to register.
Register for the Chamber’s State of Transportation featuring Texas State Senator, John Carona!
Public Transportation Takes Us There
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Transit Investment Leads to Jobs & Economic Growth! |
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Support and Create Opportunties for a Better America |
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Yesterday, President Obama called for more transportation investment to support job creation and economic growth. Public transportation can implement more than $15 billion projects in 90 days!
More transit means more jobs and a better economy. Contact the President and your Congressional representatives today and tell them to support more investment in public transit! Public transportation projects create more than 450,000 jobs and for every $1 invested in public transportation, an average of $4 is generated in economic returns.
Act NOW! |
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NAPTA / 1666 K Street NW / Washington DC 2006 / 202-496-4807
info@napta.net / here.
Transit Mixer at the The Belmont
The Alliance for Public Transportation is your organization advocating for great public transportation and transit in Central Texas. Come to our first regularly scheduled happy hour to learn more about The Alliance, what we’ve done and hope to accomplish this year, and how to get involved. Plus meet two of Cap Metro‘s newest board members-to-be Frank Fernandez and John Langmore. Both Fernandez and Langmore are active APT members.
When: Tuesday, November 17, 2009. 6pm
Where: The Belmont (305 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701-2915 (12-457-0300)
How much: Free for members. $5 donation at the door for non-members. Annual Membership is $25.
Cap Metro
Capital Metro Board Appoints Doug Allen Interim President/Chief Executive Officer
October 12, 2009Austin, Texas -Today the Capital Metro Board of Directors named Doug Allen Interim President/CEO. This appointment takes effect upon the retirement of current President/CEO Fred Gilliam at the end of this week. Allen currently serves as Executive Vice President/Chief Development Officer for Capital Metro.
“Doug Allen has a wealth of leadership experience in the industry and has demonstrated his commitment to Capital Metro and central Texas transportation since joining the Authority more than a year ago,” said Capital Metro Board Chair and Travis County Commissioner Margaret Gomez. “During this transition, it is critical that we remain focused on the core mission and goals of this agency.”
With new Board appointments expected by the end of the year, today the Board recommended waiting until January to begin a national search for a new President/CEO.
Allen joined Capital Metro in March 2008, bringing 30 years of transportation planning and development experience. As Executive Vice President/Chief Development Officer, he currently oversees all strategic planning, communications, marketing, community development, transit oriented development, engineering and construction functions.
Allen spent the majority of his career in the Dallas-Fort Worth area beginning at the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) in 1978. In 1984, he joined Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and was instrumental in developing plans for the DART light rail system and high occupancy vehicle network.
Allen is a member of several professional organizations including the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) where he serves as vice chairman of the Policy and Planning Committee.
[via Cap Metro]
Cap Metro
Capital Metro President/Chief Executive Officer Fred Gilliam Announces Retirement
September 30, 2009Austin, Texas – Today Capital Metro President/CEO Fred Gilliam announced his retirement effective October 16.
Gilliam joined Capital Metro in 2001 as Deputy General Manager/Chief Operating Officer and was appointed President/CEO in 2002.
He submitted the following letter to Board chair Margaret Gomez and the rest of the Board of Directors today:
Madam Chair and Board members:
It is with mixed emotions that I inform you of my plan to retire from my position as President/CEO of Capital Metro. I have decided to take advantage of the early retirement option now available to Capital Metro employees; therefore, October 16th will be my last day as a full-time employee of the organization.
As we head into the home stretch of our commuter rail preparations, I am confident in Capital Metro’s very capable staff to bring this great project to completion. Similarly, you have provided great leadership to the staff in developing a budget that continues our commitment to the community we serve with the very limited resources available in this strained economy. My service to Capital Metro has been extremely rewarding. It has been a great honor to serve this community, to work with the many community leaders who have served on our board, and to work side by side with our talented and dedicated staff. I am very proud of the tremendous service our agency provides to the people of Central Texas every day, rain or shine. The employees’ commitment to Capital Metro and its goals has never wavered and has helped Capital Metro become one of the most reliable and responsive public services in the region.
Within the week I will have completed eight years of service to Capital Metro. It has been a great run and much has been accomplished. Notwithstanding some of our current challenges, we have created one of the more successful transit systems of our size in the country. I am tremendously proud of our accomplishments in moving the agency in the direction of a leaner, more efficient and effective organization. I am also proud of the operating improvements and expansion of the system that have been achieved during my tenure at Capital Metro. Within just a few months of my arrival on-time-performance was improved and has averaged around 90 percent and accident rates have improved dramatically. These and other commitments to operating excellence have been maintained throughout my time here. Together we have grown the system substantially during this time. We have transitioned to owning all of our own buses and facilities by adding three additional major park & rides, new bus and a rail operating facilities and a new transit center. This helps us to reduce costs and to provide maximum flexibility to Capital Metro.
I want to thank you for the support and guidance you have given me. I will forever be grateful to you and the organization for having given me the opportunity to be a part of the accomplishments and the great times we have had over the past eight years.
I did not come to this decision easily. After discussing this with my family and considering my personal goals and my continuing journey as an individual, I believe I made the right decision. I also believe this is an opportune time to consider a change in leadership. It provides you and the new members of the board who will be appointed later this year the ability to start fresh with a new leader.
I know that there is still unfinished business that will need attention before someone new can be brought aboard. To maintain stability in the organization through such a transition, I recommend that an interim President/CEO with thorough knowledge of Capital Metro be named immediately effective on my departure on October 16th. I believe appointing a person within Capital Metro would provide the least disruption to the organization, employees and the community. I have explored several succession plan options in preparation for this day that I would be happy to share with you at your request.
I am prepared to assist the board and the interim President/CEO in any way you feel I can contribute. As many of you know I am very familiar with the industry leaders and have had the privilege of working with many of them throughout the country over the years and can serve as a resource to the board and this agency.
After 48 years of service in the public transportation industry, I look forward to serving Capital Metro and this community as a volunteer. Thanks again for the ride. It has been my pleasure to serve you and this great community.
Thank you,
Fred Gilliam
President/CEO
Media Advisory: Fred Gilliam will be available for interviews this afternoon. Please contact Communications staff to schedule.
ABOUT CAPITAL METRO Capital Metro’s mission is to provide quality public transportation choices for our community that meet the needs of our growing region. With the highest per capita ridership in Texas, Capital Metro serves more than 3,000 bus stops with metro, flyer and express routes and UT Shuttle service. Capital Metro also provides MetroAccess service for passengers with disabilities, van and carpool coordination, and freight rail service.
Capital MetroRail is a new passenger rail system expected to begin soon between the City of Leander and the Convention Center in Downtown Austin. MetroRail is part of the All Systems Go Long-Range Transit Plan that includes expanded local and express bus service, MetroRapid bus service, and new and improved park and ride lots. For more information, including an online trip planner and a commute cost calculator, visit www.capmetro.org or call (512) 474-1200.
Rush-hour traffic at Sixth and Lamar, looking eastward Courtesy of the Austin Transportation Department
Both Roads and Transit
“Reduce driver frustration.” While the city Transportation Department‘s new Austin Mobility Program has other noble goals – faster commutes, economic vitality, improved air quality, climate remediation – the frustration factor strikes everybody. So over the past month, the relatively new department and its director, Rob Spillar, have begun rolling out a program to make Austin driving less of a headache. It includes three strands:
1) a Downtown circulation study;
2) a Strategic Mobility Plan, for which the city is seeking a consultant team; and
3) an Urban Rail Program, for which it’s already partnering with outside firms on the initial engineering, design, environmental work, and cost estimating required to prepare for a November 2010 transportation bond referendum.
via Austin Chronicle
Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority
21 August 2009 – 6:00am
City officials in Houston have unanimously approved zoning and policy changes that will encourage walkable development around the city’s expanding light rail network.
Among other changes, sidewalks in transit areas will now have a minimum width of 6 feet, 2 feet wider than current standards.
“The council unanimously approved changes in development codes intended to promote dense, urban-style development along the Metropolitan Transit Authority‘s Main Street rail line and five planned extensions. The pedestrian zone requirements and incentives were developed through more than three years of work by city officials, consultants, development experts and others.
…The measures take effect immediately.”
