Magazine serving the bus and rail transit & motorcoach operations since 1904
Issue link: https://metromag.epubxp.com/i/102390
metro news briefs CALIF. AGENCY UNVEILS ART/TRANSIT PROJECT Los Angeles' Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority marked the completion of the landmark Gold Line Bridge by giving guests a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to walk across the largest, single public art/transit infrastructure project in California. The 584-linear foot sculpture will serve as the Gateway to the San Gabriel Valley. Designed by award-winning artist Andrew Leicester, the bridge is anchored by two, 25-foot "baskets" that pay tribute to the indigenous peoples of the San Gabriel Valley and the oversize iconic roadside traditions of nearby Route 66. TYPICAL Q'POD REACTION WARNING: Happy Drivers May Get This Excited About Wheelchair Securement FLA.'S PSTA LAUNCHES 3 NEW BUS ROUTES Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) launched three new bus routes in northern Pinellas County. The new routes, called the North County Connectors, will ofer bus service to many communities that have never received transit service before. Additionally, since the routes feature smaller buses that can divert up to three-fourths of a mile of of the regular route, a greater portion of the residents in those communities will be able to take advantage of PSTA's service. DART OPENS 2 NEW RAIL SEGMENTS Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) opened two more rail segments, extending the Blue Line to Rowlett and the Orange Line farther into Irving and closer to DFW International Airport. Downtown Rowlett Station marks the first expansion of the Blue Line since it reached Garland in November 2002. The 4.5-mile, $360 million segment completes the build-out of the northeast corridor and increases access to and from the largely residential community. SAN FRANCISCO UNVEILS FIRST 'BICYCLE BAY' The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, which manages all surface transportation in the city, announced the installation of the first "Bicycle Bay" in San Francisco to help bicyclists make safer left turns from westbound Market Street to southbound Valencia Street. Bicyclists making this popular turn will no longer have to cross two lanes of car trafc and streetcar tracks. MOTORCOACH SALES DIP BUSES SOLD IN PUBLIC SECTOR UNITS BY SIZE 2008 2009 2010 2011 30 FEET 246 296 315 147 35-40 FEET 4,450 4,667 4,268 3,493 45 FEET 251 443 363 671 60 FEET 332 519 782 523 TOTALS 5,279 5,925 5,728 4,834 Overall, motorcoach sales in the U.S. and Canada decreased slightly in 2011. However, sales of 45-foot buses nearly doubled from 2010. Source: National Bus Trader JANUARY 2013 mETRO mAGAZINE > 11