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 Smart Systems Can Increase Transit Ridership APTA Tells Congress

 Contact: Chip Bishop of the American Public Transit Association,
          (cbishop@apta.com)

   WASHINGTON, July 21 -- Advanced public transit
system technology shows great promise to attract new riders to
buses and trains, the American Public Transit Association told a
congressional committee today.
   In testimony before the House Public Works and Transportation
Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, APTA leaders urged
Congress to speed up funding for development and standardization of
the systems.
   "Houston is one of a number of transit agencies leading the way
in new technology," said Robert G. MacLennan, P.E., APTA vice
president of bus operations, in prepared remarks.  "Advanced Public
Transit System (APTS) technology will be a costly investment for
any transit agency to make, but it is an excellent way to make
transit systems attractive to new riders."  MacLennan is general
manager of Houston's Metropolitan Transit Authority.
   "Many people do not use public transportation because they have
poor access to information about routes and schedules," said
Michael Bolton, general manager of Austin's Capital Metropolitan
Transportation Authority.  "APTS can address these problems by
improving the information flow and the performance of transit
vehicles."
   Bolton said the U.S. lags behind its competitors in developing
intelligent transit systems.  "Many elements of real-time passenger
information systems -- which allow passengers to know in their
homes or at bus stops when the next bus will come -- have been in
place in France and Japan for over a decade."
   MacLennan offered members of Congress examples of high-tech
systems including a "smart commuter" experiment being run by
Houston Metro and the Texas Department of Transportation.  "We are
installing electronic communications systems in homes and offices
to alert travelers to traffic conditions," he said.  "Commuters
will know about weather and traffic conditions on a highway, along
with the time when the next bus will stop near their home.  They
can make an informed choice about whether to drive, or board a
bus."
   Bolton testified that the APTS research program at the Federal
Transit Administration is being "hobbled" by insufficient staffing
and funding.  "The entire national program has a few staff devoted
to it.  We support an increased role for FTA in coordinating
research activities," he said.
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