UTU Bus News Digest - August, 1998

JTRS Representation

The NLRB in Washington, DC ruled in favor of the UTU in the representation election. JTRS has appealed UTU's election victory and on June 30, 1998 the Board ruled that UTU did not comment any election violations. Hopefully, JTRS will now come to the bargaining table.

1999 Transit Funding

When Congress returns from its August recess after Labor Day, transit agencies can expect to share in $5.365 billion in fiscal year 1999 transit funding.

Both the House and Senate have approved the same funding level. All that remains is for a resolution committee to work out minor differences between them, such as how to divide funds for transit bus and new start allocations. A final vote of Congress, and the president's signature, are expected before the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1. Contact: APTA's Amy Coggin at (202) 898-4000. (from 8/12/98 Urban Transport News)

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Welfare-to-Work programs

Transit Agencies trying to organize welfare-to-work programs around potential riders can take hints from a study by the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center.

Typically, a welfare-to-work customer is a woman, at least 25 years old who had her first child as a teenager, a recent Volpe Center study shows. She might have a high school education and some work experience but earns too little to support herself. She also has a preschooler in her household and does not own a car.

Rather than a transit agency organizing a welfare-to-work program independently, it should seek input from a coalition of community groups, the Volpe Center suggests. Cities with some of the best welfare-to-work programs are Hartford, Detroit and St. Louis. Contact: Volpe Center at (617) 494-2224. (from 8/12/98 Urban Transport News)

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A New Privacy Issue?

Transit riders might have a new privacy issue to worry about: peeping toms with video cameras. In Alexandria, Va., police recently arrested a man who allegedly used a tiny 8-mm camera hidden in a bag, which he would place at the feet of unsuspecting women and aim up under their dresses. In the bag, police found tapes of women riding Washington, D.C., Metro trains.

"Upskirt" and "downblouse" tapes often end up on the Internet, where anyone over 18 can legally view and buy them. Since 1996, the number of Voyeur Web sites has grown from just a handful to more than 100. One California-based adult sex business has its own "V-team" of video spies. (from 8/12/98 Urban Transport News)

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CALIFORNIA

Plans for a light rail and subway system throughout the Los Angeles area are back on track after the Federal Transit Administration last month approved a recovery plan for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The move is helping to unlock $61.5 million for Metro Rail construction and improve Los Angeles' chances to get even more federal funding to complete the Red Line subway to North Hollywood. FTA approval comes just in time to meet the deadline for possible federal funding in fiscal year 1999's annual budget. (See related story on page 121.) Contact: MTA at (213) 922-2718. (from 8/12/98 Urban Transport News)

UTU Bus Department News Digest
Information of interest to transportation employees

August, 1998