Statewide: The final Keystone Transit Newsletter for this fiscal year was delivered yesterday and is now available across the state. The Newsletter covers statewide activities in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and the rest of the state. Interviews were conducted with many Keystone Partnership partners and participants including President William George from the PA AFL-CIO, Executive Director Marti Pierce from the Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association and Cindy Conaway, Registrar for the Keystone Partnership/PennTRAIN training programs.
Washington, D.C. : The Transit Bus Mechanics Panel, chaired by AMTRAN (Altoona) General Manager Eric Wolf, and sponsored by the Transit Cooperative Research Program (TRCP) at the Transportation Research Board located at the National Academies, met last Friday, July 25, 2004. The panel agreed to proceed on developing the task lists for the first eight ASE tests: electronics/electrical, brakes, diesel engines, preventative maintenance inspections, HVAC, suspension and steering, drivetrain and transmission, and L2 engine diagnostics. (Note that the three remaining tests-body systems, CNG and other alternative fuels, and hybrid-electric technology-are on hold for the time being). Data from the Keystone Transit project in Pennsylvania will provide the foundation for this national effort and Pennsylvania is well represented on the panel.
Pittsburgh : Our EDSI vender reports that over 500 of the Port Authority/ATU Local #85 mechanics and maintenance workers have submitted skill assessments to date. These assessments have been collected at each of the different job sites and on each shift and will provide the basis for the Keystone sponsored training for next year. The skill gaps analysis developed from this process is a significant reason for the success of the Keystone Partnership because all training is "data driven."
Milan, Italy : The Ninth International Research Symposium on Public Management will be held on April 6-8, 2005 at Bocconi University in Milan, Italy . Paper proposals are invited which address a key theme in the theory or practice of public management. They are particularly encouraged in government, business and the non-profit sector in partnership, public services management in practice - skills and applications and democratic control and accountability. Any Keystone partner interested, please contact the Project Coordinator. (Please note: no public funds will be used to support any connected attendance costs associated with this conference: e.g. this is not a junket).
Philadelphia : The SEPTA/TWU Local #234 partners of the Keystone Partnership report that over 1,000 incumbent workers have been trained this fiscal year in Keystone related courses (e.g. courses approved by Keystone labor-management workgroups) in the Philadelphia portion of the project alone - a significant achievement. Congratulations to all labor/management partners, especially John Buckner and Stu Bass.
Statewide: Today (June 30, 2004) marks the end of this fiscal year and all keystone partners and vendors are reminded that, as spelled out in all Memorandums of Agreement related to the Keystone Transit project, the agreements end June 30, 2004. No new Keystone activity by any Keystone partner or vender after June 30, 2004 will be reimbursed until new Memorandums of Agreement are executed. We have been informed by the funding agency that the prospect is excellent for funding next fiscal year. Based on deliberations with you, the proposal for next year has been developed and is expected to be received by the Commonwealth shortly. However, until such time we are informed that new funding is officially available, all Keystone partners and venders must refrain from activity for which they will then expect to be reimbursed. Please refer any questions to the Project Director.
Thanks to all partners and venders for another successful year of the Keystone Transit Career Ladder Partnership.

For more information: email: info@keystonetransit.org

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