How To Improve Transit Operations in Rural Communities

In many rural communities, getting from one location to another without having a vehicle is a really big deal, and getting everything from food to medicine can be a trial in itself. With low population densities and the tendency for small towns to have some distance between them, rural areas aren't very conducive to the types of transit operations present in cities. However, there is a very real need for new rural transit options, and the need for existing transportation systems in rural areas to step up their game to meet the needs of more riders.

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6 Tips for Finding a Transit Service Company to Partner With

When it comes time to find a transit service company with which to partner, it's important to first hammer out details of what exactly is needed, the timeline of when and how long the contract will run, and the budget for acquiring those services. It's also imperative that an evaluation process be in place for considering proposals and potential partners, in order to accurately appraise each proposal to not only ensure that the agency is getting the most value for its money, but to also avoid entering into partnerships and agreements with companies that may not be a good fit for helping the agency meet its goals.

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How the New Infrastructure Package Could Affect Public Transportation

The Trump Administration is expected to present a major infrastructure package this fall, and although many of the details have yet to be revealed, some information has surfaced about the scope and focus of the plan, which is said to include work across 16 federal agencies. According to the White House website, the $200 billion infrastructure package will include some $25 billion for rural infrastructure and $100 billion for "local prioritization of infrastructure needs," and the intent is to leverage this spending to create at least $1 trillion of total investments in infrastructure over the next 10 years.

"America's infrastructure has fallen to 12th in the world and that is unacceptable. Every American depends on our roads, rails, ports, and airports, and the President is committed to fixing this problem, not just pushing more liabilities onto future generations." - White House

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5 Tips Transit Companies Should Focus on for Transit Management Training

Good training systems and protocols are one of the key elements for operating most successful companies, and transit companies are no exception. Without adequate training, anyone from the manager on down might be able to muddle through their daily responsibilities, but they won't be doing the type and quality of work that will help the company rise above their competition, and at the worst, they may magnify, or even cause, issues that have financial, operational, or health risks to them.

On the other hand, companies that have up-to-date training methods and materials, and a process for not just providing the training but also to evaluate its effectiveness, will have employees and managers that both fully understand their jobs and have the skills to carry them out well. Transit companies that have strong protocols and resources in place for fleet management training can be assured that everyone, from management to maintenance to operations to finance, is in possession of the most current skillsets to meet the demands and responsibilities of their departments

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The Driverless Car Debate: How Safe are Autonomous Vehicles

Whether you know them as driverless cars or autonomous vehicles, these high-tech mobility options are set to become the next big trend in transportation. However, there are lot of hurdles to overcome, not the least of which is gaining the trust of not just regulators, but also the general public. With some of the big names in technology and auto manufacturing getting into the driverless car game, the number of autonomous car projects that are either under development or are being actively tested on city streets is growing, but are vehicles equipped with autonomous driving technology really safe enough to put the lives of humans in their virtual hands?

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