WASHINGTON, D.C. — Nationally, nearly 2.6 billion trips were taken on public transportation in the first quarter of 2013, according to a report by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). While this marked a decline of 1.9 percent from the 2012 first quarter, the 2013 first quarter ridership was 2.5 percent higher than the first quarter in 2011. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The amount of state money for public transit over the last five years has increased from $13.307 billion in Fiscal Year 2007 to $13.985 billion in FY 2011, according to the annual Survey of State Funding for Public Transportation — Final Report 2013, recently published by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). 

EXTON, PA. — Bentley Systems, Incorporated is accepting submissions for the 2013 Be Inspired Awards competition. The deadline for entries is July 19, 2013. The awards, which are selected by an independent jury of industry experts, recognize the extraordinary and innovative work of organizations that help sustain the world’s infrastructure by designing, engineering, constructing, delivering, and/or operating better-performing, safer, and more resilient roads, buildings, plants, utility networks, and more. Over 20 award categories cover every aspect of the built environment in this uniquely comprehensive, global competition. 

PHILADELPHIA, PA. — A new survey released at the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) Annual Rail Conference provides evidence that there is growing support for an already strong majority of people in favor of expanding public transportation. The survey, “Americans Support for Public Transportation” conducted by the Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI), shows that nearly 74 percent of respondents agreed to use of their tax dollars to create, expand and improve public transportation in their community. The number of respondents increased from an already solid 69 percent of Americans in support in 2012 to nearly 74 percent in favor this year. 

DENVER — The Colorado Department of Transportation’s (CDOT) Division of Transit and Rail (DTR) is developing its first ever comprehensive Statewide Transit Plan, providing a framework for creating an integrated transit system that meets the mobility needs of Coloradans. Work on the plan gets underway this week and will be completed within 18 months.