TRANSPORTATION

TRANSPORTATION Bright Spots

for Port Houston Cargo COVID-19 Impact Still Felt

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

Record gate moves and extra loaders are positive signs this summer at Port Houston. Nevertheless, container twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) at the largest container port on the United States Gulf Coast continued showing coronavirus effects and was down 10% in July. Container TEUs for the first seven months of the year is down just 3% compared to 2019, which was a record year. Of note, container activity is up 8% compared to the same time period in 2018, another record year during its time.

Port Houston handled 234,737 TEUs in July of this year, compared to July of 2019, when a total of 259,993 TEUs were handled. For the full year so far, Port Houston has handled 1,662,546 TEUs, compared to 1,721,402 TEUs for the same period in 2019.

Total tonnage at Port Houston for July was down 6%, with steel, breakbulk cargo and autos all down compared to July of last year, although grain and bulk cargo again showed increases, as they did in June.

A recent uptick in activity included two record days for truck transactions at the Barbours Cut Container Terminal in July. “Our team at the Barbours Cut Container Terminal processed more than 4,000 transactions each day, moving this cargo efficiently through our gates and into stores and homes,” Executive Director Roger Guenther said.

Another positive sign, Port Houston received one extra loader in July to handle peak Trans- Pacific volumes and is expecting four more in August. Blank sailings appear to be decreasing in August as well. “These are bright spots we are hopeful will continue,” said Guenther.

Strict safety protocols to avoid the spread of COVID-19 remain in place at our facilities. Port Houston places the health and safety of its workers first and thanks the men and women working on all the private and public docks, driving trucks in and out of the port, and our other maritime transportation workers, who all support the port’s daily functions.

About Port Houston About Port Houston For more than 100 years, Port Houston has owned and operated the public wharves and terminals of the greater Port of Houston – the nation’s largest port for the foreign waterborne tonnage and an essential economic engine for the Houston region, the state of Texas and the U.S. nation. The Port of Houston supports the creation of nearly 1.35 million jobs in Texas and 3.2 million jobs nationwide, and economic activity totaling $339 billion in Texas – 20.6 percent of Texas’ total gross domestic product (GDP) – and total of $801.9 billion in economic impact across the nation. For more information, visit the website at PortHouston.com.

Source: www.porthouston.com

TRANSPORTATION

SAMCo Hosts 2020 State of Transit to Highlight Path of Resiliency to Recovery

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

On Friday, Aug. 7, 2020, the 2020 State of Transit went virtual. Hosted by VIA Metropolitan Transit and the San Antonio Mobility Coalition (SAMCo), this year’s streaming event focused on VIA’s COVID-19 response and VIA’s plan to keep San Antonio moving, safely and affordably.

VIA President/CEO Jeffrey C. Arndt and VIA Board Chair Hope Andrade discussed VIA’s work to maintain essential service and highlighted efforts to support workforce recovery, and secure long-term funding for transit in San Antonio.

They explained how VIA is the most under-funded major transit agency in the State of Texas, behind Houston, Dallas, and Austin. VIA’s per capita funding is only $98 compared with Dallas at $249, Austin at $205, and Houston at $161.

The typical VIA rider is part of the local workforce and utilizes VIA five to seven days a week, with 67 percent below a household income of less than $25,000 per year. Most cannot work from home and 58 percent have no motor vehicle in their household. This is especially significant because it reinforces the vital service VIA offers to help meet our community’s need to make connections to jobs, schools, and other essential destinations on which their family’s livelihood depends.

VIA introduced a new initiative, “Keep San Antonio Moving,” which includes seeking the community’s input on their priorities for the future of transit through online surveys and tele-town hall meetings.

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Commissioners Court Judge Nelson Wolff also participated in the virtual State of Transit moderated by Jonathan Gurwitz, chairman of the San Antonio Mobility Coalition (SAMCo), and they expressed their support for the agency and its need to secure long-term funding. The City is planning to seek voter approval in November to collect a 1/8th cent sales tax revenue for four years to help cover post-COVID-19 workforce development and economic recovery efforts. Following the four years, the 1/8th cent sales tax revenue would go to VIA if approved by voters in November. That would mean approximately $38.5 million per year. Currently, only half of a one cent sales tax, made available by the Texas State Legislature to support transit, is being used by VIA to fund operations.

The “State of Transit” is part of SAMCo’s transportation leadership series, held in partnership with VIA and event sponsors. SAMCo is a non-profit corporation that advocates for highway, transit, and freight rail funding for the greater San Antonio region. For more than 40 years, VIA has kept San Antonio moving. As we’ve grown and changed with the region, we’ve worked closely with our community to develop plans for a more mobile future.

Source: VIA Metropolitan Transit

TRANSPORTATION Carol Wise Receives 2020 DBJ Women in Business Award

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

Carol Wise, Executive Vice-President/Chief Operations Officer at Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), has been named a 2020 Women in Business honoree by the Dallas Business Journal.

The prestigious award is given annually to influential women who go above and beyond in their business and community, and who will continue to impact the business landscape for years to come. "Carol continues to exemplify for all of us the drive and dedication to serve both our communities across North Texas, as well as the employees here at DART," explained Gary Thomas, President/Executive Director at DART. "Through her leadership and guidance, most especially

Carol has inspired a culture of positive change and innovation that ensures we always place the needs of our customers first."

With more than three decades of transit knowledge, Wise leads the agency's Operations, Bus, Light Rail, Maintenance, Materials Management, Mobility Management and Transit Police departments.

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