KPTA News

News Flash!

From the desk of....

Vickie Bourne

For KPTA information-Article from Mass Transit Magazine

Vehicle lift accessories, like adapters, adapter extensions and rolling jacks, enable technicians to perform more services on a greater range of vehicles than they could with a standard lift. Like vehicle lifts themselves, these accessories can be third-party certified to meet ANSI/ALI ALCTV-2006 safety standards.

“Even bus maintenance facility owners who recognize the importance of buying certified vehicle lifts don’t always realize that the accessories for these lifts are also subject to certification,” says Ron Lainhart, parts and service manager for lift manufacturer Rotary Lift.

In fact, the Automotive Lift Institute (ALI) states that “the use of non-certified options or accessories on a certified lift will void the certification of the lift.” Building codes for every U.S. state and much of Canada require that all installed vehicle lifts be certified.

Certification ensures that the components meet industry standards for strength, quality, structural integrity, functionality and safety.

Most Rotary Lift accessories that are used within the lift load path (elements that come in contact with the vehicle) or that affect the operation of the lift are certified.

“It is a somewhat costly and time-intensive process to have each accessory third-party tested and certified,” Lainhart says. “But we think it is worthwhile in order to provide our customers with the peace of mind in knowing that the Rotary Lift certified accessories they buy have been designed, built and tested to work perfectly with their lifts.”

While certified vehicle lifts are identifiable by the gold “ALI Certified/Validated by ETL” label, certified accessories are not as recognizable. ALI provides a list of certified accessories online at www.ali-directory.org. The list is searchable by manufacturer, model number or rated capacity.

Important NOTICE for Kentucky Medicaid Recipients and Medical Providers - Regarding NON-EMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION .... Read more .....

CTAA Roadeo 2011 Body-on-Chassis Held in Indiana

Two drivers from Kentucky participated in the Roadeo competition: Rhonda Heightchew with Louisville Wheels Transportation and Lola Swinney with Rural Transit Enterprises Coordinated (RTEC). Both represented our transit systems very well in the competition. We’re all proud of you both! Click here to view the introductions of the 2011 Body on Chassis participants.

Job Access and Reverse Commute Program (5316)

An Evaluation of JARC Coordinated Planning Partnerships.

The goal of the Job Access and Reverse Commute program (JARC) is to improve access to transportation services to employment and employment related activities for welfare recipients and eligible low-income individuals and to transport residents of urbanized areas and nonurbanized areas to suburban employment opportunities. Toward this goal, the Federal Transit Administration provides financial assistance for transportation services planned, designed, and carried out to meet the transportation needs of eligible low-income individuals, and of reverse commuters regardless of income. The program requires coordination of Federally-assisted programs and services in order to make the most efficient use of Federal resources. For additional information, please contact the FTA Office of Transit Programs at (202) 366-2053.

Sign up for e-mail updates for the Job Access and Reverse Commute Program (JARC)

Overview This section includes a history of the JARC program and a fact sheet on funding levels authorized under SAFETEA-LU

JARC Policy, Guidance, and Procedures This section includes the JARC statutory language, the FTA circular, and related Federal Register Notices

JARC Designated Recipients This section contains a list of designated recipients for States and large urbanized areas

Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plans This section provides a link to examples of coordinated public transit human service transportation plans.

JARC Technical Assistance This Section answers frequently asked questions and provides additional resources.

JARC Allocations and Apportionments This section includes tables describing the JARC allocations and annual apportionments from Fiscal Years 2000 to 2008.

JARC Program Performance This section provides information on the performance of the JARC program

NATIONAL Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP) ANNOUNCES THE RELEASE OF NEWLY REVISED TRAINING MODULE, EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FOR RURAL TRANSIT DRIVERS

December 2010, Waltham, MA – National RTAP announced the release of a newly revised free training module, Emergency Procedures for Rural Transit Drivers.

The Emergency Procedures for Rural Transit Drivers module contains a Learner’s Guide, a Self-paced eLearning Course Disc, an Instructor’s Guide, and a disc with videos and a trainer’s PowerPoint presentation. These materials can be covered in a single day, or over a series of days. The module is presented in stand-alone units designed to meet a multitude of transit agency requirements. It can be used in a classroom setting or by a single student, and is appropriate for both new and experienced transit drivers.

The Emergency Procedures Module builds on the foundation established in the National RTAP training Module Safety Training and Rural Transit (START), and offers the most current training on preparedness for hazards and threats that may be encountered as a transit operator. This training module also offers targeted training on the Seven Steps of Crisis Management, in addition to quick tips and quizzes designed to give the best comprehensive information possible on emergency procedures.

How transit drivers respond to emergencies can have a direct impact on their health and safety as well as that of passengers and the public at large. It is vital that transit staff have the proper training to respond to incidents and accidents, problem passengers, acts of nature, and other potential emergencies.

Patti Monahan, Executive Director of National RTAP, says: “Emergency Procedures for Rural Transit Drivers has always been a popular item in the National RTAP Resource Library, and we are pleased to release this newly updated and expanded version of the module. The module is very flexible and will be a great resource for all small transit providers”.

Emma Featherman-Sam, Chair of the National RTAP Review Board and Oglala Sioux Tribe Transit Coordinator, noted “Oftentimes, rural transit agencies lack the resources, staff and time to send anyone to a training of this type. I am happy to be part of an organization that is truly meeting the needs of these agencies. These modules can be used by staff at their pace and at any time they can spare and the best part - it is FREE!"

Bill Telovsky, Vice Chair of the National RTAP Review Board, and New York State Department of Transportation’s RTAP Manager also adds, “This modern, multi-media training resource will enhance safety and security training for all rural transit providers. “

The Emergency Procedures training module is available now and is free of charge.

National RTAP is a program of the Federal Transit Administration administered by the Neponset Valley Transportation Management Association and serves as the national arm for the Rural Transit Assistance Program. The mission of National RTAP is to improve mobility in all rural, small urban and tribal communities across the country through technical assistance. Since its inception in 1987 National RTAP has developed and distributed training materials, provided technical assistance, generated reports, published best practices, conducted research and offered Peer Assistance with the goal of improved mobility for the millions of Americans living in communities with populations under 50,000.

If you’d like more information about this product, or to schedule an interview with Patti Monahan, please contact Pam Russell DiGiovanni at 888-589-1122 or email Pam at prussell@nationalrtap.org