Mass Transit - 8

EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK

Partnerships for Recovery
The industry will need complete buy-in from
communities and government if it is to see this crisis
through and deliver more advanced networks.

I

f the industry is to survive, thrive and deliver improved service, we will need
partners in our communities, industry vendors, non-agency stakeholders and our
government representatives at all levels.

First, let us begin with partnerships within the community. While previous columns have
highlighted the efforts taken by the industry to adapt services to provide value to communities during the initial onslaught of the pandemic, now that reopening plans have been
instituted and ridership is (slowly) creeping up across much of North America, it's time to share
the responsibility of keeping those communities safe.
This is one aspect behind the American Public Transportation Association's (APTA) "Health
and Safety Commitments Program," which launched in September. The program not only acts as
the transit industry's pledge to operate safely, but it provides a foundation on which to build community expectations of what an agency will do, as well as what is expected of riders.
APTA's toolkit for the program includes suggested signage and a seal (think Good Housekeeping
Seal of Approval) that program-committed agencies can use to communicate with riders about their
commitment to safe operations during the pandemic. Another area where community support and
input remain a requirement is with bus network redesigns. As Mass Transit Assistant Editor Megan
Perrero reports (p.28), agencies undergoing bus network redesigns have had to evolve their outreach
efforts during the pandemic to ensure the proposed service matches the community's need.
While network redesigns can deliver improved service,
there are many efficiencies agencies can tap into by using and
While network embracing technology. Platforms such as contactless fare payredesigns can deliver ments (p.32) and even vehicle occupancy data (p.18) can enimproved service, hance operations, boost rider confidence and provide agencies
additional information to implement further improvements.
there are many Agencies have enough on their plate and for these types of
efficiencies agencies advancements, the vendor community will be relied upon.
The final supportive partnership the industry will need
can tap into by
is from those who serve in government - from the federal
using and embracing level through to the municipal level. The industry will need
technology. champions to help develop good policy and dedicated funding
streams. The uncertainty felt by the industry's dire need for
an additional $32 billion in emergency funds is softened a bit
by the proposed one-year extension of the expiring surface
transportation legislation.
Times are tough, we all know this, but I want to leave you
with a quote from the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader
Ginsburg that I believe speaks to this moment:
"So often in life, things that you regard as an impediment
turn out to be great, good fortune."

Mischa Wanek-Libman, Editor
 mwanek@masstransitmag.com  224-324-8532  linkedin.com/in/mischawaneklibman

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Mass Transit | MassTransitmag.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020

Editorial
Advisory Board
Gary Thomas
President/
Executive Director
Dallas Area Rapid Transit
Keith Jones, P.E.
General Manager
DC Streetcar
Matthew Tucker
Executive Director
North County
Transit District
http://www.linkedin.com/in/mischawaneklibman http://www.MassTransitmag.com
Mass Transit

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