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2010 Conference Highlights
Click here to view presentations from each day's sessions.
VTA's annual conference, held in Richmond, Virginia on June 10 -11 experienced record numbers, both for registrants and for exhibitors:a total of 190 signed up for the event, while 43 exhibitors attended the two-day meeting.
As tradition has it, sessions included important, need-to-know updates from FTA and DRPT. This year's FTA presentation showcased sustainability and discretionary fund topics during their annual information-packed session while DRPT brought everyone up to date the following day with a tract on the future of transit in Virginia.
A big draw this year included a tour of the new GRTC Transit System, a state of the art LEED-certified green facility, which attracted over 80 participants. The tour even included the opportunity to experience the bus simulator, enticing tour participants to experiment...and reluctantly leave behind!
The roundtable session offered on Friday included five topics from hybrid vehicles to bus rapid transit. VTA is looking for suggestions from our readers on next year's topics--from large and small systems.
Many other main attractions highlighted the program, including Joel Volinski, who spoke on two extremely important topics: Managing Through Tough Times and Best Practices: Communicating with your Bus Drivers. This timely session led to suggestions on scheduling a webinar version of Communicating with your Bus Drivers, which VTA is looking into.
The Marketing and Communications track included two well-respected names: Pulsar Advertising and Redmon Group, who led presentations highlighting non-traditional marketing concepts and digital signage to inform commuters.
Presentations can also be found on the VTA website. Click here...and don't forget to check us out on Facebook!
VTA Recognizes Best Practices
Congratulations to transit system award recipients for their outstanding programs and campaigns! Three systems were honored at the VTA awards luncheon held in Richmond, Virginia on June 11, an annual ceremony showcasing the best of the best in innovation and marketing.
Receiving awards were:
Blacksburg Transit System (Outstanding Program for a small transit system) for their Christiansburg Expansion program.
While adding new service or redesigning existing service is something many transit systems do on a regular basis, the grass roots/community based process used to develop, plan and implement the Christiansburg service was truly outstanding. Over the course of two years the redesign of the Christiansburg bus service incorporated many aspects, from surveying every Christiansburg household to developing a working group for decision making and incorporating grass roots marketing tactics. As a result, the Christiansburg bus service, launched in November 2009, was based on the input received from the community.
GRTC Transit System (Outstanding Program for a large transit system) for their TransitTalk.com initiative.
In January, 2009, GRTC Transit System and its RideFinders subsidiary, partnered with the Leadership Metro Richmond (LMR) Got Transit? Committee to support public transit by developing public awareness and starting an advocacy group, which continues to grow and be a voice for public transportation in the Richmond Region. Today with additional partners, plus a membership that has grown to nearly 1,800, advocates will be trained in how to approach and influence decision makers to support the use and expansion of public transit in the Richmond Region.
Charlottesville Transit Service ( Outstanding Public Transportation Marketing for Community Outreach) which includes several initiatives the awards committee felt warranted recognition and merit.
The first, a budget-neutral project—completion of a rider‐focused website upgrade to charlottesville.org/transit—makes the user‐friendly format more readily accessible. Reorganized menus simplify browsing of CTS information, and prominent links place real time trip planning and facts on routes, schedules and fares literally at riders’ fingertips. A new How to Ride section provides important basics on reading transit maps, schedules and bus stop signage that was not previously available. Schedule and route information has been redesigned to improve access for persons with disabilities.
Second, the Bus Lines Community Poetry Initiative—a program designed to engage area poets from schools and within the community through a unique opportunity to display their work publicly. Since summer 2009, Bus Lines has installed 228 poster cards featuring 89 original poems by 81 local poets on board CTS buses, bringing a new audience and riders who might not have ridden public transit previously and enhancing the overall image of transit in C'ville.
NVTC Hosts "Transit Keeps NoVA Working" Tour for Legislators
On June 30 and July 1, the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) 
hosted the “Transit Keeps Northern Virginia Working” tour and played host to 15 delegates from the House Transportation and Finance committees, DRPT Director Thelma Drake, CTB member Doug Koelemay as well as House Appropriations and Senate Finance Transportation staff.
The goal of the tour was to demonstrate to legislators how critical transit is to job creation and the economic vitality of Northern Virginia.
Over the course of the tour, guests heard presentations from transit providers and local government officials as they traveled across the region on transit buses, trains and by foot.
In addition to learning more about transit operations, riders and finance, delegates and guests were exposed to examples of transit oriented development (TOD), walkable complete streets, the Pentagon transit center (which supports nearly 30,000 transit trips daily); the concept of slugging, ridesharing and HOV; experienced Northern Virginia’s road congestion; rode Metro’s Orange line (otherwise known by commuters as the “Orange Crush”) at rush hour; and viewed construction of the I-495 HOT (High Occupancy Toll) lanes and Dulles corridor Metro Silver line up close.
A key supporter of the “Transit Keeps Northern Virginia Working” tour was House of Delegates Transportation committee Chairman, Joe T. May. Early in the planning stages of the tour, Chairman May expressed how important it was that the delegates gain critical insight and experience with Northern Virginia’s transportation challenges. Chairman May felt strongly that by witnessing these challenges first-hand, the tour would serve to help committee members to better strategize on ways to address the ongoing transportation issues facing Northern Virginia.
The transit tour harnessed the planning and creativity of seven jurisdictions, nine different transit systems, over 50 staff members and nearly three months of planning and cross-jurisdictional coordination.
Be sure to contact your legislators to encourage their continued support for transit. Click here to view the list of legslative attendees with contact links.
Sponsors included: URS, Gillig, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, Keolis, the Virginia Transit Association (VTA), Transportation Association of Greater Springfield (TAGS), Veolia, MV Transportation, Wendel Duchscherer and the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance.
Dash and GRTC Take First Place in State Roadeo
Represent Virginia at International Bus Roadeo
The Alexandria Transit Company (DASH) hosted the 2010 Virginia State Roadeo on Sunday, March 21, 2010. This year, 27 top drivers and 21 mechanics from eight different transit companies across the state competed, displaying their professional bus driving and mechanic skills.
Competitors included twenty-seven top drivers and twenty-one mechanics from eight transit companies across the state, testing their knowledge and skills throughout the day.
Clarence Johnson of DASH won first place position in driving while GRTC Transit System's maintenance team won top honors in troubleshooting mechanical failures.
These honors allowed Dash and GRTC Transit System to move on to the International competition in Cleveland, Ohio representing Virginia in May, where Clarence Jackson placed 6th in the 35 foot bus category and 9th overall, and GRTC Transit System's maintenance team placed 15th.
Congratulations to both systems for achieving these successes!
VTA Welcomes New Business Members
VTA is pleased to announce the following new business members this year:
- Cambridge Systematics, Inc.
- Cubic Transportation
- Motor Coach Industries
- Pulsar Advertising
- Victor Stanley, Inc.
In addition, we are pleased to welcome the following new Associate member:
- PWHD Capitol Consulting
VTA thanks ALL our members for their continued support!
Secretary Connaughton Updates Group on Transit
The Virginia Transit Association was honored to have
Secretary of Transportation, Sean Connaughton, join us for another important event.
This time, it was at VTA's 2010 Awards Luncheon, VTA's annual tribute to programs and individuals making a difference in public transportation. Secretary Connaughton underscored the growing importance of transit throughout the Commonwealth as we try to manage congestion and work force mobility for our aging population.
During his address, the Secretary discussed the Governor's Reform Commission (click here for committee information), stating input from VTA, transit systems and transportation stakeholders would be collected throughout the Governor's term and that some transportation recommendations can be expected in late August through December. Click here to view submissions or to comment. (See DRPT's presentation earlier that day.)
Secretary Connaughton also discussed the on-going audit being carried out by KPMG. The initial recommendations outline steps to provide improved management and project delivery.
VTA Recognizes Delegate Patrick Hope
VTA awarded Delegate Patrick Hope with the Legislator of the
Year award in June at its award ceremony held in Richmond, Virginia.
Delegate Hope sponsored HB 421 which gives the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) needed flexibility to maintain transit service during the unusual years when state operating revenues are declining.
Although a freshman legislator, Delegate Hope did an excellent job of explaining to his colleagues the need for this Code change. The bill, with companion budget language, gives the CTB the authority to shift up to 20 percent of transit capital to transit operating funds as needed to maintain service when state funds for transit operating are less than the prior year. The Code change will be used in the upcoming fiscal year as the Six-Year Plan proposes to shift $800,000 from transit capital to transit operating in order to maintain transit service across the Commonwealth.
We commend Delegate Hope for his strong support of public transportation and especially for his work to maintain existing transit service in an economic downturn!
Mayor Dick Ballengee Wins Outstanding Contribution by an Individual Award
Mayor Richard (Dick) Ballengee was awarded the Outstanding 
Contribution by an Individual award at VTA's awards ceremony in June.
Mayor Ballengee is a strong champion for transit as a way to enhance quality of life in his community and region. He realized that Christiansburg needed a different kind of service. Their needs would be better met if a more flexible and frequent transit service could be designed that would allow everyone in Christiansburg easy access to in-town destinations and to connect to Blacksburg.
The Mayor took the lead in crossing the "jurisdictional aisle" to work with the Town of Blacksburg and their transit provider, Blacksburg Transit, to redesign and expand transit service tailored to the population and needs of Christiansburg. His vision of transit, enthusiasm, leadership and hard work built support for a new transit program with both town councils and among the citizens.
Charles "Chip" Badger: Distinguished Service Award Recipient
VTA has awarded Charles "Chip" Badger with the Distinguished Service award at its
awards ceremony in June. Chip has devoted his entire thirty seven year career to multi-modal transportation and has been instrumental in advancing transit across Virginia.
Until January when he joined Wendel Companies as Project Director in the Public Transit Group, Chip was a lynchpin in the operations of DRPT—a source of stability, institutional knowledge and encouragement to Virginia transit providers.
Over his career at DRPT (culminating in agency Director), he was instrumental in advancing the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project. Chip also assisted with the development and financial planning for the Virginia Railway Express, Northern Virginia's commuter rail system; The Tide, Hampton Roads Transit's light rail; the establishment of over 30 new transit systems; and Virginia's first state sponsored intercity passenger rail service.
More Wednesday Webinars Coming Soon!
Click here to view archived webinars.
VTA will complete our Wednesday Webinar series for transit systems on September 22 with "Advancing the Community Conversation on Transit."
The broadcast will focus on successful models for engaging the community along with tips and tools to get the conversation started. Watch your e-mails for registration information on this timely seminar.
Another series will begin shortly after September, so be on the lookout for details in early 2011! Some of the topics suggested include "Grant Writing," "More on Communicating with your Bus Drivers," and " Reducing Public Transportation Liability."
VTA is always looking for webinar suggestions, so if you have ideas for webinars, we are just a click away.
Good News from our Transit Systems
Blacksburg-
Blacksburg Transit was recently awarded the Governor’s Transportation Safety Award for Public Transportation Safety for achievements in transit operator training. Safety has always been the top priority for BT; when the opportunity arose to provide another tool to better educate and prepare operators, the green light was given to purchase a bus simulator.
The simulator has aided in training allowing operators to learn in a multitude of environments, streetscapes, situations and weather conditions. By providing a wide variety of training scenarios, operators are better prepared for changing road conditions, more confident in their skills to handle varying situations, and ultimately better prepared to prevent accidents. As a result, employee retention has increased.
In addition, BT celebrated carrying their 3 millionth rider for the year, a first for them! Large increases in ridership again this year helped to succeed in reaching this mark during April. As students unloaded the Tom's Creek bus along the Drillfield on the morning of Tuesday, April 27, each student was handed an envelope. Inside one was a special ticket recognizing the recipient as the honorary 3 millionth Blacksburg Transit rider for the year. “Carrying over 3 million passengers in one year is a huge milestone for us,” said Rebecca Martin, Director of Blacksburg Transit. “We wanted to take this opportunity to thank our riders for their commitment to BT.”
Charlottesville Area Transit (CAT)-
In June, Charlottesville Area Transit (CAT) celebrated the grand opening of its new high-performance green maintenance and operations facility. Attended by officials, including Delegate David Toscano and Vice Mayor Holly Edwards, the new facility not only updates CAT’s operational capabilities, but is part of a broader green vision for public transportation in Charlottesville. The new facility houses a variety of CAT’s functions and employees -- including drivers, mechanics, and administrative staff -- at one location. Among the structures on site are an administration and operations building, maintenance shop, fuel island, and vehicle wash building. The property also incorporates parking spaces for the entire CAT bus fleet. Green practices are projected to result in an average energy savings of 30% over baseline code-compliant buildings, and an estimated water conservation of 1.56 million gallons per year. Designed by local firm VMDO Architects and constructed by the W.M. Jordan Company, LEED certification is anticipated for 2011, and will make this CAT’s second green facility. CAT’s Downtown Transit Station at 615 East Water Street was LEED-Gold Certified in March 2008, the first municipal building in Virginia to receive the honor.
Fairfax-
A new Park n Ride will be coming to Springfield in late 2010/early 2011 off from Old Keene Mill at the site of the old Circuit City building, also known as Bob’s Slug Line (aptly named because it used to be the site of Bob’s Big Boy restaurant).
This is good news for sluggers who park their cars on one side of the street then cross the busy road full of zooming automobiles to a prime slugging site where free rides into DC are plentiful. The spot has long been a prime site for slugging due to its easy access to the HOV lane on I-95/395.
The Fairfax County Fire Department, in a fire and rescue training exercise, will burn the old Circuit City Building down after which, 270 parking spaces will be created—no more having to cross the busy street after parking!
Four County Transit-
Four County Transit (FCT) has updated its fleet with 13 new buses. All FCT vehicles purchased since 2003 have wheelchair lifts, but four of these new vehicles have the capacity to carry up to four wheelchairs at once.
FCT has 63 vehicles in its public transportation fleet. All drivers are trained in CPR, first aid, and wheelchair lift and securement.
Four County Transit is a fully coordinated public transit system which has served the residents of Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell and Tazewell counties since 1998. Operated by AASC, Four County Transit enables greater mobility for the residents of the four counties.
Hampton Roads Transit-
Hampton Roads Transit took a leap toward transparency in April when it unveiled its Performance Dashboard. This tool will provide insight into the agency’s key performance measures.
With the click of a mouse, the public can now take a look at where the agency stands in the following areas:
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Operating Budget – Compare HRT’s current actual and budgeted spending and revenues to the year prior.
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Capital Projects – Track construction progress of the light rail and Southside Bus Maintenance Facility projects.
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Customer Service – View monthly customer service phone statistics
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On-Time Performance – View the 10 best and 10 worst bus routes for on-time performance
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Ridership – Compare monthly ridership to the prior year
“The Dashboard opens a window into HRT,” said Philip Shucet, HRT’s president and CEO. “The public can easily see how well HRT is using their tax dollars. Our transparency extends beyond light rail; the Dashboard sheds light on our core business.”
Loudoun-
State and local officials gathered at the Leesburg Park and Ride Lot on June 17 to launch Tysons Express – the first commuter bus service with a direct route from Loudoun County to Tysons Corner. The new service, which began June 21, helps commuters during the construction of Dulles Metrorail and the I-495 Capital Beltway HOT Lanes. Both projects converge in the heart of Tysons Corner.
"Commuters from the Loudoun area can let someone else do the driving while they ride in the comfort of new coach buses to Tysons Corner," said Kelly Burk, Leesburg District Supervisor and Chairman of the Transportation Land Use Committee. "You save time too because riding the bus should reduce the travel time of driving a car."
Buses equipped with free Wi-Fi make seven morning and seven evening trips each weekday between Loudoun County and Tysons Corner. One-way fares are $3.00 with a SmarTrip card, or $3.50 with cash. Buses pick up in the morning at the Leesburg and Broadlands South park and ride lots. The buses then travel the Dulles Greenway and the Dulles Airport Access Road to Tysons Corner. The route serves 18 stops in Tysons Corner at major employment sites.
PRTC-
An express bus route launched last year by the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission, PRTC, is exceeding its ridership projections despite the fact that gas prices are lower than in the recent past.
OmniRide’s Tysons Express started in November 2009, providing service between eastern Prince William County and Tysons Corner, which is a popular destination for shoppers and high-tech employees. When PRTC was planning the new service in 2009, gas prices were in the $4 per gallon range, leading planners to predict that average daily ridership on the Tysons Express bus would reach 120 by the end of the first year.
Now, just eight months later, that average daily ridership goal has already been reached. The popularity of the new route is particularly noteworthy considering prevailing gas prices, said Alfred Harf, PRTC Executive Director.
“This shows the pent-up demand for alternate forms of transportation,” Harf said. “Give the people a safe, comfortable, and affordable ride that frees them of driving hassles and they’re willing to leave their cars behind.”
OmniRide’s Tysons Express is funded entirely by Virginia Megaprojects – a partnership between Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation and the Virginia Department of Transportation – to help alleviate congestion during construction of the I-495 High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes and Dulles Metrorail projects. When the I-495 HOT lanes are complete in 2013, buses and HOV-3 vehicles will have reliable travel times on the Capital Beltway.
Tysons Express passengers enjoy comfortable coach buses and free Wi-Fi as well as half-price fares that are in effect until fall 2010.
Those in Tysons Corner also have access to a free mid-day shuttle service. The Tysons Connector offers two looping routes operated by the Fairfax Connector and funded by the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project. The Tysons Connector runs on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., providing even more incentive for people to leave their cars behind and use transit.
VRT-
August, 2010 will mark the 20th anniversary of Virginia Regional Transit (VRT), and throughout the years, the agency has shown a great deal of enthusiasm when it comes to supporting the surrounding communities and their transportation services. VRT is currently supporting a transit system located near the Eastern Shore of Virginia, STAR Transit, by providing the management services and technical assistance required to create a more effective and efficient transportation system.
Since VRT’s involvement, STAR Transit’s ridership has gone up by 20% with less mileage being used, and the on-time percentage has increased from 29% to 85%.
Action has also been taken to make it more convenient for passengers to wait for the bus. In addition to adding several covered bus stop shelters in Leesburg, Culpeper and Purcellville, a new Bus Service Announcement System was provided by Home2Phone Wireless Solutions. The system, which is ADA compliant, provides passengers with a projected arrival time in both Spanish and English. This device also works without the use of electricity and is considered a green initiative. The new Safe-T-Ride bus, supported by the Town of Leesburg, was also introduced sporting a new logo in hopes of attracting more riders to the free service it provides.
In addition to the 20th anniversary of the agency, 2010 also marks both the 8th annual Bowl-a-thon and 12th annual Golf Classic in partnership with community Rotary clubs and Loudoun Youth, Inc. Proceeds from these events go towards helping to support youth transportation and scholarships in the communities in which VRT serves.
Continuing in its efforts to provide high quality local and rural community transportation solutions, VRT takes pride in its mission to provide access to affordable transportation through passenger service, transit system management and other transit related services.
WATA-
The purpose of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 (ARRA) was to create jobs and, in this case, Williamsburg Area Transit Authority (WATA) put the ARRA funds to work by purchasing three new Ford Senator 450 buses.
These new body–on-chassis vehicles, built by Sonny Merryman Manufacturing of Russburg, Virginia, are capable of seating 16 passengers and two wheel chairs. They also feature 6.0 diesel engines, Allison transmissions, and have fuel tanks that hold up to 55-gallons of low sulfur burning diesel fuel. In keeping with the rest of its green initiative, WATA also equipped these buses with bicycle racks. The new vehicles bring WATA’s fleet up to 50, and will be used to provide transit service to rural Surry County, for ADA demand response services, and for back-up on other routes.
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