Public Transportation has often been referred to as “the accidental occupation” because most people are not aware of the many good career opportunities that exist in the field of transit.   This fast-paced DVD is designed to be seen by high school and college students who have yet to make up their minds on what field they will enter.  It provides a preliminary glimpse of the kinds of jobs that are available, and stresses the “green nature” of transit as well as the extensive technology that is being utilized in all forms of transit systems.  We hope it will increase their interest in exploring the possibility of working in the field of public transportation.  Given the tremendous competition there will be for talent once the Boomer generation retires, the public transportation industry must compete for good applicants and increase its visibility as an employer of choice.

For Immediate Release
September 21, 2009
Contact: Clark Harder, Executive Director

The Michigan Public Transit Association (MPTA) today blasted the budget agreement forged by Legislative leaders that would transfer $11.5 million from the Comprehensive Transportation Fund (CTF) to cover General Fund shortfalls.

“CTF money is, by statute, protected funding, to be used solely to fund public transportation investment projects, including local bus operations and bus capital match funding that brings a 4-1 return of federal funding to Michigan, along with rail passenger and rail freight operations. But once again, the Legislature seems bound to shortchange the CTF and strand Michigan residents who depend on these services,” stated Clark Harder, Executive Director of the MPTA.

“Apparently we’ve reached the point in Michigan where legislators believe we don’t need $1.2 billion of investment in job creation and our infrastructure. That’s what the Legislature is jeopardizing in federal funding if this proposal goes through,” Harder said.

Our statewide transit system provided 100 million passenger trips last year – a 7% increase over the prior year. Nationwide, the most common purpose for a transit trip is getting to and from work. The second most common use is getting to and from school. Cuts in state support will result in service cuts at the local level which means people cannot get to their jobs or job training, making Michigan’s economic recovery even more difficult.

This is not the first time that state legislators have raided funds designated for the specific use of public transportation, with a total of over $120 million taken over the past dozen years. “We recognize the significant state budget crisis but it is simply inappropriate of legislators to continuously raid funds that the public trusts are earmarked for transportation purposes,” Harder said.

The MPTA urges citizens to contact their legislators as well as Speaker Andy Dillon and Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop and tell them to “keep their hands off public transit funding” as a way to bail out the state’s general fund shortfall.

An interesting note from the Michigan Clean Diesel Initiative:

This is to inform you that the Michigan Clean Diesel Initiative (MiCDI), a coalition of government, industry, and nonprofit organizations that have been working on projects to address diesel engine pollution in Michigan, will be holding its Fall meeting on:
Monday, October 5, 2009
at the
Lansing Community College, West Campus
5708 Cornerstone Drive, Lansing, MI 48917
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Many of you have agreed in the past to pass information along to your membership regarding events, projects, activities and most importantly, grant funding opportunities that become available for diesel engine emission improvements.  The Fall meeting will provide those interested members who are transportation providers, with information on upcoming federal funding assistance for diesel engine fleet owners, operators and managers.

Eligible applicants that can apply for grant funding assistance include: regional (county), state, local, or tribal agencies, port authorities, school districts, and non-profit organizations or institutions that provide air quality reduction/education services, or perform transportation or air quality activities.

Eligible projects for grant funding include:

Retrofit Technologies (i.e. oxidation catalysts and particulate matter filters);

Idle Reduction Technologies (i.e. auxiliary power units, aerodynamic hoods and generator sets);

Cleaner Fuel Use (i.e. cost differential associated with biodiesel substitution); Engine Repowers (i.e. replacement with new or cleaner engine and scrappage of an old engine); The installation of engine upgrades kits;

and Vehicle and Equipment Replacements

for the following types of diesel engine equipment or vehicles:

Medium or heavy duty trucks;

Municipal or school buses;

Construction and mining equipment and vehicles;

Agricultural equipment;

Port operation and cargo handling equipment;

Generator sets used for utility generation.

I encourage you to pass on this very valuable meeting information along to your members.  For your convenience, I have attached a short article that can be used in your next membership e-mail distribution or newsletter during the month of September.  As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me or give me a call at the telephone number below.

Thank you for helping us get the word out about this resource to improve our state’s overall air quality!

Donna Davis, Manager

Clean Corporate Citizen Program
State Clean Diesel Program
Office of Pollution Prevention and Compliance Assistance
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
P.O. Box 30457
525 W. Allegan St.
Lansing, MI  48909
(517) 335-2784
(517) 241-0858 (FAX)