Transit Board Support Staff
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this document in Adobe PDF format)
November, 2003
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREFACE
WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AS BOARD SUPPORT STAFF?
OFTEN ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PUBLIC TRANSIT AND
YOUR ROLE
NETWORKING/EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
GLOSSARY
ACRONYMS
PREFACE
This handbook was prepared by APTA’s Board Support Subcommittee
to introduce experienced support staff to the transit industry. By utilizing
the information in this handbook, support staff will become more knowledgeable
about their responsibilities.
WHAT IS YOUR
ROLE AS BOARD SUPPORT STAFF?
As in any administrative support position, your role may
vary depending on the organizational structure of the transit agency and other
contributing factors. A large transit system may have a particular staff member
who is assigned to the Board and another to the General Manager or Executive
Director. A small transit system may employ one staff member who is responsible
for the Board and the General Manager, as well as other administrative personnel.
Depending on the culture at your agency, you may also act as liaison between
your Board chairman and the other Board members, your Board and the General
Manager, and the Board and other agency staff.
It is assumed that your previous experience has prepared
you for your general responsibilities in supporting a Board and/or General
Manager. If you haven’t worked in the public sector, please see the Networking/Educational
Resources section on page five for opportunities available to develop your
governmental expertise. In addition, your state and/or regional transit organization
is another resource. These associations are invaluable in assisting you with
becoming more knowledgeable about your position.
OFTEN ASKED
QUESTIONS
ABOUT PUBLIC TRANSIT AND YOUR ROLE
1.I’m new to public service and/or the clerks’ profession.
How do I learn more about my responsibilities and all the regulations?
Contact your state or regional transit association and
ask if they have a transit clerks committee. Excellent networking and
education opportunities can also be found through your local, state, and
national municipal clerks associations, as well as municipal clerks institutes.
If your state municipal clerks association doesn’t offer a detailed handbook
on their website, please access the Washington Municipal Clerks Association
website at www.wmcaclerks.org. This handbook provides detailed instructions
and how-tos on many topics from agendas and minutes to legal requirements
to public/media relations. (See the Networking/Educational Resources section
for contact information.)
2.What is APTA?
The American Public Transportation Association is a non-profit
organization that’s been representing the transit industry since 1882—a
span of over 121 years. As the Washington, DC based representative of
the transit industry, APTA’s 1,500 members include transit systems in
the United States and Canada, suppliers and manufacturers, state associations,
universities, and management and consultant firms. Over 90 percent of
those riding public transit in the U.S. and Canada are served by APTA
members.
As an APTA member you are encouraged to participate,
contribute, and benefit from a myriad of programs, activities, and services
that are part of your transit industry association.
3.What is the APTA Board Support Subcommittee and how
do I become a member?
The Subcommittee was officially formed in 1994 as a subcommittee
of the Transit Board Members Committee. A small group of transit board
support personnel were instrumental in its creation. The Subcommittee’s
purpose is to encourage and promote educational and networking opportunities.
Two business meetings are held each year, one at the Board Support Workshop
and another at the Annual Meeting. In addition, the Subcommittee is responsible
for developing the education program for the Board Support Workshop. To
become a member, submit a letter of appointment, signed by your general
manager or board chairman, to Lynne Morsen, APTA Senior Program Manager,
Member Support Services and staff advisor to the Transit Board Members
Committee and the Board Support Subcommittee lmorsen@apta.com
4.I’d like to participate on the Subcommittee, but don’t
have the budget to attend the business meetings or workshop.
Regardless of whether you can attend the meetings and
workshop held during the year, membership has its rewards. Much of the
Subcommittee’s actual work is accomplished through committees and via
phone/email.
5.What is the difference between policy and management?
Policy has been defined as a general rule of principle,
or a statement of intent or direction, which provides guidance to administrators
in reaching decisions with respect to the particular matters entrusted
to their care. Management is the day-to-day administration of the guidance,
and its application to the events and situations that are part of transit
operation. Policy is the making of the rule; management is its application
to the everyday activities. Policy provides the direction; management
makes it work.
NETWORKING/EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
American Institute of Parliamentarians
P.O. Box 12452
Fort Wayne, IN 46863
301-946-9220
www.parliamentaryprocedure.org
Association of Records Managers & Administrators
4200 Somerset Drive, Suite 215
Prairie Village, KS 66208
913-341-3808
www.arma.org
International Association of Administrative Professionals
P.O. Box 20404
Kansas City, MO 64195-0404
816-891-6600
www.iaap-hq.org
International Institute of Municipal Clerks
8331 Utica Avenue, Suite 200
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
909-944-4162
www.iimc.com
National Notary Association, Inc.
9350 De Soto Avenue
Chatsworth, CA 91313-2402
800-876-6827
www.nationalnotary.org
State Transit Agencies
A listing can be found in APTA’s membership directory.
State Municipal Clerks Associations
Contact the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (above)
for the current contact person in your state or region.
State Municipal Clerks Institutes
Maureen Kane, Institute Director
P.O. Box 32355
Riverside, CA 92506
909-786-7471
Debbie Cook, Institute Director
Office of Conference Services
Department of Housing
University of Colorado
Campus Box 454
Boulder, CO 80309-0454
303-492-5151
Douglas Tuttle, Policy Scientist
Institute for Public Administration
College of Human Services, Education and Public Policy
University of Delaware
Newark, DE 19716
302-831-8971
Dr. John Dailey, Executive Director
Florida Institute of Government
325 John Knox Road
Woodcrest Office Park, Building 300
Tallahassee, FL 32303
850-487-1870
Walt McBride, Special Programs Manager
Carl Vinson Institute of Government
University of Georgia
205 J.W. Fanning Building
Athens, GA 30602-3553
706-542-9855
James Weatherby, Ph.D., Director
The Public Policy Center
Boise State University
1910 University Drive
Boise, ID 83725-1935
208-426-1476
Paul Craig, Institute Director
Institute of Government and Public Affairs
Public Affairs Center, Room 482
University of Illinois at Springfield
Springfield, IL 62794
217-206-7682
Michael Dowd, Institute Director
HR Unlimited Resources
3985 Cedar Lane
Greenwood, IN 46163
317-535-0411
Paul Coates, Ph.D., Director
Office of State and Local Government Programs
Iowa State University
506 Ross Hall
Ames, IA 50011
515-294-1844
Mac Manning, Public Affairs Associate
Center for Urban Studies
Hugo Wall School of Urban and Public Affairs
Wichita State University
1845 Fairmount
Wichita, KS 67260-0155
316-978-6541
Paul & Barbara Combs
KMCI Program Directors
Skills Development Institute
A Division of Paul Combs & Assoc., Inc.
121 Olympia Way
Georgetown, KY 40324
502-867-0067
Billie Tripp, Institute Coordinator
Conference Central, Inc.
Louisiana Municipal Clerks Institute
P.O. Box 1029
Gonzales, LA 70707
225-644-0619
Gary Taylor, Extension Specialist
11 Agriculture Hall
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1039
517-353-9460
Richard Grefe, Program Director
College of Continuing Education
University of Minnesota
352F Classroom Office Building
1994 Buford Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55108
612-624-3783
Tom Ball, Government Training Officer
Center for Governmental Technology
Mississippi State Univ. Extension Service
Box 9643
Mississippi State, MS 39762-9643
662-325-3141
James Kaatz, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Department of Political Science
Southwest Missouri State University
901 S. National Avenue
Springfield, MO 65804-0094
417-836-6424
Jane Jelinski, Director
Local Government Center
Department of Political Science
Montana State University
Bozeman, MT 59717
406-994-7756
Alice Schumaker, Ph.D., Director
Clerks School and Advanced Academy
Department of Public Administration
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Omaha, NE 68182-0276
402-554-2589
Pattie McCoy, CMC
Chairperson, Board of Directors
New England Municipal Clerks Institute
9 Main Street, Suite 2
Poultney, VT 05764
802-287-5761
Nadine Kadell Sapirman
Associate Program Specialist
Center for Government Services
Rutgers University
33 Livingston Avenue, Suite 200
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1979
732-932-3640 ext. 622
Linda Alire-Naranjo
Program Development & Training Director
New Mexico Municipal League
P.O. Box 846
Santa Fe, NM 87504-0846
505-982-5573 ext. 513
Dr. Michael Hattery, Institute Director
Senior Extension Associate
Cornell Local Government Program
Dept. of Applied Economics & Management
Cornell University
43 Warren Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853
607-255-9510
A. Fleming Bell, II
Professor of Public Law and Government
Institute of Government, School of Government
CB #3330 – Knapp Building
UNC at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3330
919-966-4210
Michelle Hessler, Institute Director
Center for Extended Learning
Administration Building, First Floor
Minot State University
500 University Avenue West
Minot, ND 58707
701-858-3983
Dr. James B. Tinnin, Director
Center for Public Administration and Public Policy
Department of Political Science
230 Research I Building
Kent State University
Kent, OH 44242
330-672-7148
Diane Elliott, Program Coordinator
OSU Business Extension
215 CBA
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK 74078
405-744-5208
Dr. Michael Unruh, Director
Frehn Center for Professional and Organizational Development
Grove Hall 405
Shippensburg University
1871 Old Main Drive
Shippensburg, PA 17257-2299
717-477-1430
Anna Berger
Governmental Research and Service
Institute of Public Service and Policy Research
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC 29208
803-777-3455
Maureen Young
Coordinator, Technology and Industry
1301 East Main Street, Box X109
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
615-898-2116
Joyce Snay, Ed.D., Director
Texas Municipal Clerks Program
University of North Texas
P.O. Box 305067
Denton, TX 76203-5067
940-565-3488
Elaine Sandoval, Institute Director
Weber State University
4003 University Circle
Ogden, UT 84408-4003
801-626-7157
Carol Pickett, Institute Director
Center for Global Business and Executive Education
Old Dominion University
Constant Hall, Room 2101
Norfolk, VA 23529
757-683-4603
Lloyd Hara, Institute Director
Institute of Public Service
Seattle University466 Smith Street
Seattle, WA 98109
206-283-9681
Kassie VanRemortel, Institute Director
Outreach and Extension, WH480
University of Wisconsin at Green Bay
2420 Nicolet Drive
Green Bay, WI 54311-7001
920-465-2468
Dr. Edd LeSage, Jr.
Professor and Associate Dean
Director of Government Studies
Faculty of Extension
93 University Campus NW
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2T4 Canada
780-492-9800
Mark Brown, Second Vice President
Local Government Management Association
737 Fort Street
Victoria, BC V8W 2V1 Canada
250-383-7032
Linn Teetzel, Convenor
Local Government Program
Capilano College
2055 Purcell Way
North Vancouver, BC V7J 3H5 Canada
604-986-1911 ext. 2340
Jared Paisley, Program Director
Continuing Education Division
University of Manitoba
188 CED Complex
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2 Canada
204-474-8033
Jackie Butler, Training Officer
Municipal Training & Development Corp.
Dept. of Municipal & Provincial Affairs
P.O. Box 8700
St. John’s, Newfoundland A1B 4J6 Canada
709-729-3142
Professor Jack Novack
Henson College at Dalhousie University
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 3J5 Canada
902-494-6478
Andrew Koopmans
Executive Director, AMCTO
2680 Skymark Avenue, Suite 910
Mississauga, ON L5W 5L6 Canada
905-602-4294 ext. 26
Vonda Croissant
Local Government Administration
Centre for Continuing Education
University of Regina
Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2 Canada
306-585-5808
GLOSSARY
Accessibility
The extent to which facilities are barrier free and useable
by persons with disabilities, including wheelchair users.
Advanced Public Transportation Systems (APTS)
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) technology that
is designed to improve transit services through advanced vehicle operations,
communications, customer service, and market development.
Alternative Fuels
Low-polluting fuels which are used to propel a vehicle instead
of high-sulfur diesel gasoline. Examples include methanol, ethanol, propane
or compressed natural gas, liquid natural gas, low-sulfur or "clean" diesel,
and electricity.
Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU)
A major labor union representing workers in the transit industry;
membership is limited to operators, mechanics, and other non-supervisory employees
of the transit industry.
American Public Transportation Association (APTA)
Originally founded more than one hundred years ago, APTA
is a nonprofit international association of 1,500 organizations responsible
for planning, designing, construction, financing, and operating public transit
systems.
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)
A civil rights law passed by Congress in 1990 that makes
it illegal to discriminate against people with disabilities in employment,
services provided by state and local governments, public and private transportation,
public accommodations, and telecommunications.
Annual Element
Those transportation improvement projects, contained in an
area’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), that are proposed for implementation
in the current year. The annual element is submitted to the U.S. Department
of Transportation (USDOT) as part of the required planning process.
Apportionment
A federal budgetary term that refers to a statutorily prescribed
division or assignment of funds. It is based on prescribed formulas in the
law and consists of dividing authorized obligation authority for a specific
program among transit systems.
Appropriation
A federal budgetary term that refers to an act of Congress
that permits federal agencies to incur obligations and make payments out of
the Treasury for specified purposes. An appropriation act is the most common
means of providing budget authority, but in some cases the authorization legislation
itself provides the budget authority.
Arbitration
A method of settling disputes where labor and management
present their case to an impartial third party, called an arbitrator, who
has the responsibility of deciding the case. "Binding arbitration" results
in a final and binding award, which is often enforceable in the courts. "Compulsory
arbitration" is that required by law.
Authorization
Basic, substantive legislation that establishes or continues
the legal operation of a federal program or agency, either indefinitely or
for a specific period of time, or which sanctions a particular type of obligation
or expenditure within a program. An authorization may set appropriation limits.
See TEA-21.
Automatic Fare Collection System (AFC)
A system of controls and equipment that automatically admits
passengers on insertion of the correct fare in coins, tokens, tickets or farecards;
it may include special equipment for transporting and counting revenues, and
use of all system "smart-card."
Automatic Vehicle Location System (AVLS)
Technology that tracks the current location of fleet vehicles
to assist in dispatching, maintaining schedules, answering specific customer
inquiries, etc.
Bargaining Agent
A labor union designated by an appropriate government agency
or recognized by the employer as the exclusive representative of all employees
in the bargaining unit for purposes of collective bargaining.
Base Period
The period between the morning and evening peak periods when
transit service is generally scheduled on a constant interval. Also known
as "off-peak period."
Base Fare
The price charged to one adult for one transit ride; excludes
transfer charges, zone charges, express service charges, peak period surcharges,
and reduced fares.
Block
A definition as it pertains to bus—a collection of runs making
up a bus’s daily work assignment. One block may be operated by two or more
bus operators.
Budget Authority
A federal budgetary term that refers to legal authority given
by Congress to federal agencies to make funds available for obligation or
expenditure.
Budget Resolution
A federal budgetary term that refers to a concurrent resolution
passed by both Houses of Congress, but not requiring the signature of the
President, setting forth the congressional budget for each of five fiscal
years. The budget resolution sets forth various budget total and functional
allocations, and may include reconciliation instructions to designated House
or Senate committees.
Bus (Motorbus)
A rubber-tired, self-propelled, manually-steered vehicle
with fuel supply carried on board the vehicle. Types include advanced design,
articulated, charter, circulator, double deck, express, feeder, intercity,
medium-size, new look, sightseeing, small, standard-size, subscription, suburban,
transit, and van.
Bus Capital
One category for federal funding granted under Section 5309
of the Federal Transit Act. These funds are used for bus-related construction
projects or to replace, rehabilitate, or purchase buses.
Cable Car
An electric railway operating in mixed-street traffic with
unpowered, individually-controlled transit vehicles propelled by moving cables
located below the street surface and powered by engines or motors at a central
location not on board the vehicle.
Capital Assistance
Financial assistance for transit capital expenses including
preventive maintenance; such aid may originate with federal, local, or state
governments.
Capital Costs
Costs of long-term assets of a public transportation system
such as property, buildings, vehicles, etc.
Carpool
An arrangement where two or more people share the use and
cost of privately-owned automobiles in traveling to and from pre-arranged
destinations together.
Central Business District (CBD)
The downtown retail trade and commercial area of a city or
an area of very high land valuation, traffic flow, and concentration of retail
business offices, theaters, hotels, and services.
Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (CAAA)
The comprehensive federal legislation that establishes criteria
for attaining and maintaining the federal standards for allowable concentrations
and exposure limits for various air pollutants; the act also provides emission
standards for specific vehicles and fuels.
Collective Bargaining
Negotiations between labor union representatives and employees
to reach an agreement on a contract describing such matters as wages, hours,
and working conditions.
Commuter Rail
Railroad local and regional passenger operations between
a central city, its suburbs and/or another central city. It may be either
locomotive-hauled or self-propelled, and is characterized by multi-trip tickets,
specific station-to-station fares, railroad employment practices, and usually
only one or two stations in the central business district. Also known as "suburban
rail."
Conformity
The ongoing process that ensures the planning for highway
and transit systems, as a whole and over the long term, is consistent with
the state air quality plans for attaining and maintaining health-based air
quality standards. Conformity is determined by metropolitan planning organizations
(MPOs) and the U.S. Department of Transportation, and is based on whether
transportation plans and programs meet the provisions of a State Implementation
Plan.
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ)
Federal funds available for either transit or highway projects
that contribute to reducing vehicle emissions which cause air pollution. Pedestrians
and bike paths are also included in this mitigation strategy.
Contract Authority
A federal budgetary term that refers to a budget authority
permitting obligations to be incurred in advance of appropriations. Advance
obligations, however, have been limited by the appropriations committees with
obligation limitations.
Corridor
A broad geographical band that follows a general directional
flow connecting major sources of trips that may contain a number of streets,
highways, and transit route alignments.
Cost-of-Living Allowance (COLA)
An increase or decrease in employees’ wages or salaries made
on the basis of changes in agreed-upon economic indices, usually the Consumer
Price Index.
Crosstown
Non-radial bus or rail service that does not enter the Central
Business District.
Deadhead
The movement of a transit vehicle without passengers aboard;
often to and from a garage, to and from one route to another, or to the point
the first passenger boarded.
Dedicated Funding Source
A source of monies that by law is available for use only
to support a specific purpose and cannot be diverted other uses.
Demand Responsive
Non-fixed-route service utilizing vans or buses with passengers
boarding and alighting at pre-arranged times at any location within a system’s
service area. Also called "Dial-a-Ride."
Department of Transportation
The cabinet level department of the federal government that
is responsible for administration of federal transportation programs including
public transportation, highways, railroads, air transportation, shipping,
and the Coast Guard. Each state also has a department of transportation.
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)
A business owned and operated by one or more socially and
economically disadvantaged individuals. Socially and economically disadvantaged
individuals include African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans,
Asian Pacific Americans or Asian Indian Americans, Women, and any other minorities
or individuals found to be disadvantaged by the Small Business Administration
(SBA) under Section 8 (a) of the Small Business Act.
Downtime
A period during which a vehicle is inoperative because of
repairs or maintenance.
Downtown People Mover (DPM)
A type of automated guideway transit vehicle operating on
a loop or shuttle route within the Central Business District of a city.
Dwell Time
The time a vehicle or train is stopped to discharge and take
on passengers at a stop, including opening and closing doors.
Earmark
A federal budgetary term that refers to the specific designation
by Congress that part of a more general lump-sum appropriation be used for
a particular project; the earmark can be designated as a minimum and/or maximum
dollar amount.
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
A comprehensive study of likely environmental impacts resulting
from major federally-assisted projects; statements are required by the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Exclusive Right-of-Way
A highway or other facility that can only be used by buses
or other transit vehicles, and not shared with automobiles or freight trains.
Executive Order 12372
A presidential directive that furnishes guidance to federal
agencies for cooperation with state and local governments in the evaluation,
review, and coordination of federal assistance programs and projects.
Farebox Recovery Ratio
Measure of the proportion of operating expenses covered by
passenger fares; found by dividing farebox revenue by total operating expenses
for each mode and/or systemwide.
Farebox Revenue
Value of cash, tickets, tokens, and pass receipts given by
passengers as payment for rides; excludes charter revenue.
Fare Elasticity
The extent to which riderhsip responds to fare increases
or decreases.
Fare Structure
The system set up to determine how much is to be paid by
various passengers using a transit network at given times for specific trips.
Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
Formerly known as the Urban Mass Transportation Administration;
FTA is the agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation that administers
the federal program of financial assistance to public transit.
Ferryboat
A boat providing fixed-route service across a body of water.
Fiscal Year (FY)
The yearly accounting period for the federal government that
begins October 1 and ends on the following September 30. The fiscal year is
designated by the calendar year in which it ends (e.g., FY 00 is from October
1, 1999 to September 30, 2000).
Fixed Guideway System
A system of vehicles that can operate only on its own guideway
constructed for that purpose (e.g., rapid rail, light rail). Federal usage
in funding legislation also includes exclusive right-of-way bus operations,
trolley coaches, and ferryboats as "fixed guideway" transit.
Fixed Route
Service provided on a repetitive, fixed-schedule basis along
a specific route with vehicles stopping to pick up and deliver passengers
to specific locations; each fixed-route trip serves the same origins and destinations,
unlike demand responsive and taxicabs.
Flexible Funds
Those federal funds which can be used for highway, transit,
or other transportation projects as decided by regional Metropolitan Planning
Organizations (MPOs) and state governments. Examples of such funds are the
Surface Transportation Program (STP) and the Congestion Mitigation and Air
Quality (CMAQ) fund.
Formula Funds
Funds distributed or apportioned to qualifying recipients
on the basis of formulas described in law; e.g., funds in the Section 5311
program for Small Urban and Rural Transit Assistance, which are distributed
to each state based on the state’s percentage of national rural population.
See also "Section 5307."
Fringe Parking
An area for parking usually located outside the Central Business
District (CBD) and most often used by suburban residents who work or shop
downtown.
Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA)
Establishes the terms and conditions of federal financial
participation in usually a multi-year major capital project. Within the limits
of law, the FFGA provides assurance and predictability to the grantee of the
federal financial support for the project, while placing a ceiling on the
amount of federal support.
Geocoding
A planning tool where persons or facilities are geographically
displayed and analyzed.
Headway
Time interval between vehicles moving in the same direction
on a particular route.
Heavy Rail
An electric railway with the capacity for a "heavy volume"
of traffic and characterized by exclusive rights-of-way, multi-car trains,
high speed and rapid acceleration, sophisticated signaling, and high platform
loading. Also known as "rapid rail," "subway," "elevated (railway)," or "metropolitan
railway (metro)."
High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV)
Vehicles carrying more than one person. Examples of high
occupancy vehicles are a bus, vanpool, and carpool. These vehicles sometimes
have exclusive traffic lanes called "HOV lanes," "busways," "transitways,"
or "commuter lanes."
High Speed Rail
A rail transportation system with exclusive right-of-way
which serves densely traveled corridors at speeds of 124 miles per hour (200
km/h) and greater.
Highway Transit Fund
The federal trust fund established by the Highway Revenue
Act of 1956; this fund has two accounts—the Highway Account and the Mass Transit
Account. Trust fund revenues are derived from federal highway—user taxes and
fees such as motor fuel taxes; trust fund uses and expenditures are determined
by law.
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
Automated systems of highway transportation designed to improve
traffic monitoring and management. ITS includes: Advance Public Transportation
Systems (APTS), Automatic Vehicle Location Systems (AVLS), and "smart vehicles"
which assist drivers and managers with planning, perception, analysis, and
decision-making.
Intermodal
Those issues or activities which involve or affect more than
one mode of transportation, including transportation connections, choices,
cooperation, and coordination of various modes. Also known as "multimodal."
Jitney
Privately-owned, small or medium-sized vehicle usually operated
on a fixed route but not on a fixed schedule.
Job Access/Reverse Commute Grant Program (JARC)
A program enacted through the Personal Responsibility &
Work Reconciliation Act of 1996 that provides transportation access to suburban
employment for urban residents.
Joint Development
Ventures undertaken by the public and private sectors for
development of property around transit stations or stops, pursuant to FTA’s
Policy on Joint Development.
Layover Time
Time built into a schedule between arrival at the end of
a route and the departure for the return trip, used for the recovery of delays
and preparation for the return trip.
Level Playing Field
A balanced approach to federal funding proportions for highway
projects and transit projects; may also refer to employee transportation benefits
so that the monthly, tax-free value of a transit pass is equal to that of
a parking space; generally, any situation in which transit and highway receive
equal treatment in federal funding and other federal procedures.
Light Rail
An electric railway with a "light volume" traffic capacity
compared to heavy rail. Light rail may use shared or exclusive rights-of-way,
high or low platform loading, and multi-car trains, or single cars. Also known
as "streetcar," "trolley car," and "tramway."
Magnetic Levitation (MAGLEV)
A rail transportation system with exclusive right-of-way
which is propelled along a fixed guideway system by the attraction or repulsion
of magnets on the rails and under the rail cars.
Managers of Mobility
Transit systems that expand their role to include services
and approaches beyond traditional public transportation to include ridesharing,
high occupancy vehicle programs, public education on transit’s benefits, and
integration of land use, air quality, and transportation decisions; the phrase
was developed as part of the industry’s Transit 2000 policy effort undertaken
in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Mass Transit Account
The federal account, established by the Surface Transportation
Act of 1982, into which a designated portion of the federal Highway Trust
Fund revenue from motor fuel taxes is placed. This account is used for federal
mass transportation assistance.
Mean Distance Between Failures (MDBF)
The average distance in miles that a transit vehicle travels
before failure of a vital component forces removal of that vehicle from service.
Mediation
Efforts by an impartial third party to encourage agreement
between a labor union and management by counseling each side and facilitating
negotiations. Also known as "conciliation."
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)
The organization designated by local elected officials as
being responsible for carrying out the urban transportation and other planning
processes for an area, including the programming of federal transportation
funds.
Modal Split
A term which describes how many people use alternative forms
of transportation. Frequently used to describe the percentage of people using
private automobiles as opposed to the percentage using public transportation.
Model
An analytical tool (often mathematical) used by transportation
planners to assist in making forecasts of land use, economic activity, travel
activity, and their effects on the quality of resources such as land, air,
and water.
Monorail
An electric railway in which a rail car or train of cars
is suspended from or straddles a guideway formed by a single beam or rail.
Most monorails are either heavy rail or automated guideway systems.
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA)
A comprehensive federal law requiring analysis of the environmental
impacts of federal actions such as the approval of grants; also requiring
preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for every major federal
action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.
National Highway System (NHS)
A proposed transportation system consisting of approximately
155,000 miles of highway in order to provide an interconnected system of principal
arterial routes serving major population centers, major transportation facilities,
major travel destinations, interstate and interregional travel, and meeting
national defense requirements. The NHS, defined in the TEA-21, is one component
of the National Transportation System (NTS).
National Transportation System (NTS)
An intermodal system consisting of all forms of transportation
in a unified, interconnected manner of reduced energy consumption and air
pollution while promoting economic development and supporting the nation’s
preeminent position in international commerce. The NTS includes the National
Highway System (NHS), public transportation, and access to ports and airports.
New Start
One category of federal funding granted under Section 5309
of the Federal Transit Act. These discretionary funds are made available for
construction of a new fixed guideway system or extension of any existing fixed
guideway system, based on cost-effectiveness, alternatives analysis results,
and the degree of local financial commitment.
Nonattainment Area
Any geographic region of the United States that the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated as not attaining the
federal air quality standards for one or more air pollutants, such as ozone
and carbon monoxide.
Obligation
A federal budgetary term that refers to a binding agreement
that will result in an outlay; an agreement by the federal government to pay
for goods or services immediately or at some future time when the goods or
services are delivered. Also known as a "commitment."
Operating Assistance
Financial assistance for transit operating expenses (not
capital costs); such aid may originate with federal, local, or state governments.
Now available only in areas of less than 200,000 in population.
Operating Expense
Monies paid in salaries, wages, materials, supplies, and
equipment in order to maintain equipment and buildings, operate vehicles,
rent equipment and facilities, and settle claims.
Operating Revenue
Receipts derived from or for the operation of transit service,
including farebox revenue, revenue from advertising, interest and charter
bus service, and operating assistance from governments.
Outlay
A federal budgetary term that refers to a payment made to
meet an obligation; the point at which an actual payment of money is made.
Paratransit
Comparable transportation service required by the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, for individuals with disabilities who
are unable to use fixed-route transportation systems.
Particulate Trap
A filter that removes a portion of the particulates (solids,
soot, etc.) from a vehicle’s exhaust stream and generally includes a regenerative
unit and associated control system to burn the collected solids.
Passenger Miles
The total number of miles traveled by passengers on transit
vehicles; determined by multiplying the number of unlinked passenger trips
times the average length of their trips.
Passenger Transport (PT)
The weekly newspaper of the transit industry that is published
by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).
Peak Period
Morning and afternoon time periods when transit ridership
is the heaviest.
Preventive Maintenance
TEA-21 capitalized a number of maintenance expenses and eliminated
federal operating assistance in areas over 200,000 in population.
Public Transit System
An organization that provides transportation services owned,
operated, or subsidized by any municipality, county, regional authority, state,
or other governmental agency, including those operated or managed by a private
management firm under contract to the government agency owner.
Public Transportation
Transportation by bus, rail, or other conveyance, either
publicly or privately owned, that provides to the public, general or special
service on a regular and continuing basis. Also known as "mass transportation,"
"mass transit," and "transit."
Rail Modernization
One category of federal funding granted under Section 5309
of the Federal Transit Act. These funds are distributed by a formula and made
available to transit systems for improvements on fixed guideway systems that
have been in service for at least seven years. Also known as "fixed guideway
modernization."
Rapid Transit
Rail or motorbus transit service operating completely separate
from all modes of transportation on an exclusive right-of-way.
Rescission
A federal budgetary term that refers to the cancellation,
in whole or part, of budget authority previously granted by Congress.
Revenue Miles
Number of miles that transit vehicles are operated in revenue
service.
Reverse Commuting
Movement in a direction opposite the main flow of traffic,
such as from the central city to a suburb during the morning peak period.
Ridesharing
A form of transportation, other than public transit, in which
more than one person shares the use of the vehicle, such as "vanpooling."
Ridership
The number of rides taken by people using a public transportation
system in a given period of time.
Rolling Stock
The vehicles used in a transit system, including buses and
rail cars.
Route Miles
The total number of miles included in a fixed route transit
system network.
Run
A collection of trips making up a bus operator’s daily work
assignment.
Section 5309
The section of the Federal Transit Act, as amended, that
authorizes discretionary funds for capital public transportation projects.
Section 5307
The section of the Federal Transit Act, as amended, that
authorizes grants to public transportation systems in urbanized areas (population
greater than 50,000) for both capital and operating programs (for areas under
200,000) based on formulas set out in statute.
Section 13(C)
The section of the Federal Transit Act, as amended, related
to labor protection that is designed to protect transit employees against
a worsening of their position with respect to their employment as a result
of grant assistance under the Act.
National Transit Database
The Federal Transit Act, as amended, authorizes the U.S.
Department of Transportation to gather statistical information about the financing
and operations of the public transportation systems, based upon a uniform
system of accounts and records.
Section 5310
The section of the Federal Transit Act, as amended, that
authorizes grants to nonprofit corporations and associations for the specific
purpose of assisting them in providing transportation services meeting the
special needs of elderly persons and persons with disabilities for whom mass
transportation services are unavailable, insufficient, or inappropriate.
Section 5311
The section of the Federal Transit Act, as amended, that
authorizes grants to public transit systems outside urbanized areas, based
on formulas set out in statute; the funds go initially to the Governor of
each state.
Sequestration
A federal budgetary term that refers to the permanent cancellation
of budget authority.
Shuttle
A public or private vehicle that travels back and forth over
a particular route, especially a short route or one that provides connections
between transportation systems, employment centers, etc.
Soft Match
The practice of allowing transit systems to use toll revenue
credits or other revenue for the local match on federal bus purchase funds.
This frees up local funds, i.e., "hard match for other projects."
State Implementation Plan (SIP)
A state plan mandated by the Clean Air Act Amendments of
1990 (CAAA) that contains procedures to monitor, control, maintain, and enforce
compliance with national standards for air quality.
Supplemental Appropriation
An act appropriating funds in addition to those in an annual
appropriation act because the need for funds is too urgent to be postponed
until enactment of the next regular appropriation act.
TEA-21
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century,
enacted on June 9, 1998, as Public Law 105-178, is a six-year funding mechanism
for highways and transit.
Transfer Center
A fixed location where passengers interchange from one route
or vehicle to another.
Transit Development Plan (TDP)
A short-term (usually 5 years or less) planning document
published by transit authorities outlining service improvements and adjustments.
Transit 2000
An industry effort undertaken in the late 1980s and early
1990s to develop public policies allowing transit to achieve its greatest
potential for the 20th century and beyond; recommendations included
turning transit systems into managers of mobility, broadening transit’s definition
to include ridesharing and other high occupancy vehicle programs, enhancing
local decision-making authority, increasing federal funding, and raising the
federal gas tax.
Transit Pass
A tax-free employee commute benefit in which an employer
subsidizes up to $65 per month for an employee’s transit fares or vanpool
charges. This benefit also applies to military and government employees.
Transit System
An organization (public or private) providing local or regional
multi-occupancy-vehicle passenger service. Organizations that provide service
under contract to another agency are generally not counted as separate systems.
Transport Workers Union (TWU)
One of the major labor unions in the transit industry; membership
is limited to operators, mechanics, and other non-supervisory employees of
the transit industry.
Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
A program of intermodal transportation projects, to be implemented
over several years, growing out of the planning process and designed to improve
transportation in a community. This program is required as a condition of
a locality receiving federal transit and highway grants.
Trip
The one-way movement of a bus along a route, usually either
outbound/inbound or north/southbound, east/westbound, etc.
Trust Funds
Funds collected and used by the federal government for carrying
out specific purposes and programs according to terms of a trust agreement
or statute, such as the Social Security and highway trust funds. Trust funds
are administered by the government in a fiduciary capacity and are not available
for the general purposes of the government. See "Dedicated Funding Source."
United Transportation Union (UTU)
One of the major labor unions in the transit industry; membership
is limited to operators, mechanics, and other non-supervisory employees of
the transit industry.
Urbanized Area (UZA)
A U.S. Bureau of Census-designated area of 50,000 or more
inhabitants consisting of a central city or two adjacent cities plus surrounding
densely settled territory, but excluding the rural portion of cities.
Vanpool
An arrangement in which a group of passengers share the use
and cost of a van in traveling to and from prearranged destinations together.
Zone Fares
A system of fares where a transit system’s service area is
divided into zones within which specified rates or fares apply.
ACRONYMS
|
ACCT
|
Agency Council on Coordinated Transportation |
|
ADA
|
Americans with Disabilities Act |
|
AFC
|
Automatic Fare Collection System |
|
AG
|
Attorney General |
|
APTA
|
American Public Transportation Association |
|
APTS
|
Advanced Public Transportation Systems |
|
ATIS
|
Automated Trip Information System |
|
ATU
|
Amalgamated Transit Union |
|
AVLS
|
Automatic Vehicle Location System |
|
BAFO
|
Best and Final Offers |
|
BARS
|
Budget, Accounting and Reporting System |
|
BRCT
|
Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation |
|
BRT
|
Bus Rapid Transit |
|
CAAA
|
Clean Air Act Amendments |
|
CAC
|
Citizens Advisory Committee |
|
CAFR
|
Comprehensive Annual Financial Report |
|
CBD
|
Central Business District |
|
CMAQ
|
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality |
|
CNG
|
Compressed Natural Gas |
|
COLA
|
Cost-of-Living Allowance |
|
CRAB
|
County Road Administration Board |
|
CTR
|
Commute Trip Reduction |
|
DBE
|
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise |
|
DEIS
|
Draft Environmental Impact Statement |
|
DOT
|
Department of Transportation (state) |
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DPM
|
Downtown People Mover |
|
DR
|
Demand Response |
|
DSHS
|
Department of Social & Health Services |
|
EFH
|
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation & Management
Act |
|
EIS
|
Environmental Impact Statement |
|
EPA
|
Environmental Protection Agency |
|
ESA
|
Endangered Species Act |
|
FEMA
|
Federal Emergency Management Agency |
|
FG
|
Fixed Guideway Modernization |
|
FHWA
|
Federal Highway Administration |
|
FFGA
|
Full Funding Grant Agreement |
|
FLSA
|
Fair Labor Standards Act |
|
FMSIB
|
Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board |
|
FONSI
|
Findings of No Significant Impact |
|
FOSI
|
Findings of Significant Impact |
|
FRA
|
Federal Railroad Administration |
|
FSR
|
Financial Status Reports |
|
FTA
|
Federal Transit Administration (formerly UMTA) |
|
FY
|
Fiscal Year |
|
GCC
|
Guaranteed Contract Cost |
|
GFOA
|
Government Finance Officers Association |
|
GIS
|
Geographical Information System |
|
GPRA
|
Government Performance and Results Act |
|
HOV
|
High Occupancy Vehicle |
|
HPA
|
Historical Preservation Act |
|
HTF
|
Highway Trust Fund |
|
IIMC
|
International Institute of Municipal Clerks |
|
ITS
|
Intelligent Transportation Systems |
|
JARC
|
Job Access/Reverse Commute |
|
LID
|
Local Improvement District |
|
LNG
|
Liquid Natural Gas |
|
LOF
|
Lube/oil/filter change |
|
MAA
|
Medical Assistance Administration |
|
MACC
|
Maximum Allowable Construction Cost |
|
MAGLEV
|
Magnetic Levitation |
|
MBE
|
Minority Business Enterprise |
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MDBF
|
Mean Distance Between Failures |
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MDT
|
Mobile Data Terminals |
|
MPO
|
Metropolitan Planning Organization |
|
MPR
|
Milestone Progress Reports |
|
MSA
|
Metropolitan Statistical Area |
|
MTP
|
Metropolitan Transportation Plan |
|
MVET
|
Motor Vehicle Excise Tax |
|
NEPA
|
National Environmental Policy Act |
|
NHS
|
National Highway System |
|
NTD
|
National Transit Database |
|
NTI
|
National Transit Institute |
|
NTS
|
National Transportation System |
|
OR
|
Operating Revenue |
|
ORS
|
On-line Reporting System (NTD) |
|
OTP
|
On time Performance |
|
PDC
|
Public Disclosure Commission |
|
PM
|
Passenger Miles |
|
PMO
|
Project Management Oversight |
|
PMSA
|
Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area |
|
PNR
|
Park-n-Ride |
|
PTBA
|
Public Transportation Benefit Area (state) |
|
RAM
|
Revenue Allocation Manager |
|
RAMP
|
Regional Access Mobility Project |
|
RATP
|
Regional Automated Trip Planning |
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RFIP
|
Regional Fare Integration Project |
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RFP
|
Request for Proposals |
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RFQ
|
Request for Qualifications |
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ROW
|
Right of Way |
|
RRFP
|
Regional Reduced Fare Permit |
|
RTA
|
Regional Transit Authority |
|
RTID
|
Regional Transportation Improvement District (state) |
|
SAFETEA
|
Safe Accountable Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity
Act of 2003 |
|
SCATS
|
Service Coordination and Transit Services |
|
SEPA
|
State Environmental Policy Act |
|
SHPO
|
State Historic Preservation Office |
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SIP
|
Service Improvement Plan |
|
SIP
|
State Implementation Plan |
|
SIR
|
Self Insurance Retention |
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SPC
|
Strategic Planning Committee |
|
STIP
|
Statewide Transportation Improvement Program |
|
STP
|
Surface Transportation Program |
|
TCPR
|
Transit Cooperative Research Program |
|
TDP
|
Transit Development Plan (Six-Year Plan or Strategic Business
Plan) |
|
TEA–21
|
Transportation Equity Act of the 21st Century
(now SAFETEA) |
|
TEAM
|
Transportation Electronic Award & Management |
|
TIB
|
Transportation Improvement Board |
|
TIP
|
Transportation Improvement Program |
|
TOC
|
Transit Operators’ Committee |
|
TPR
|
Transportation Planning Regulations |
|
TQM
|
Total Quality Management |
|
TRB
|
Transportation Research Board |
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TSP
|
Transit Signal Priority |
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TVM
|
Ticket Vending Machines |
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TWU
|
Transport Workers Union |
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UAFP
|
Urbanized Area Formula Program |
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UMTA
|
Urban Mass Transit Authority (now FTA) |
|
UPWP
|
Uniform Planning Work Program |
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USOA
|
Uniform System of Accounts |
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UTU
|
United Transportation Union |
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UZA
|
Urbanized Area |
|
VCR
|
Vehicle Condition Reports |
|
VMT
|
Vehicle Miles Traveled |
|
VOIMS
|
Vehicles Operating in Maximum Service |
|
VRM
|
Vehicle Revenue Miles |
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