News

Here is a brief weekly update from the RTA business coalition — the voice of the regional business community on transportation.

RSVP for RTA 2021 Breakfast — on July 9
We are planning for an in-person RTA Breakfast event this summer on Friday, July 9, at The Umstead Hotel and Spa, and one or more seats are included with your membership. The theme of this year’s event is “Securing the Future of RDU Airport”; your RTA RDU AID Task Force will present new findings and updated funding recommendations for RDU amidst a post-pandemic environment. The 2021 RTA Transportation Breakfast is presented by the Research Triangle Foundation of NC; additional sponsorships are also available. Sign-up online here to secure the ticket(s) included with your membership and/or to sponsor the event. Our growing region needs an excellent airport, and you will want to be there for the discussion. Please connect with Natalie with any questions.

Less is more at RDU Airport
Speaking of RDU Airport — we’ve received good news about the increasing return of air travel, both across the nation and here at RDU over the last few weeks; Delta will be lifting the restriction on middle seats next month, while American Airlines just announced three new destinations from RDU. As our air service offerings rebound, I’d like to remind everyone of one of RDU’s many key advantages: the strong level of competition between airlines. With no one air carrier having a majority of the market share – or even a third of it – this helps to maximize the number of competitive air travel options for all of us. More in this week’s RTA blog.

Seeing the country
I just returned from traveling across America by road. In addition to making contributions to state motor fuel taxes in North Carolina and elsewhere, as well as adding to federal gas tax coffers, and even local transit taxes (it was a rented minivan) our family had an opportunity to view a variety of sights, including several national parks, monuments, and preserves. On the way, we traveled to the western endpoints of both Interstate 40 and Interstate 10, and also saw the Tehachapi Loop – a freight rail infrastructure marvel that has been in existence for more than a century. You gain a tremendous appreciation for America when you travel from coast to coast; 4,200 driving miles and a return flight later, our family returned home to wonderful North Carolina. I will share some more insights in future blogs.

Thank you for your investment in our region’s enhanced mobility future as a member of the RTA!

Let’s get moving,

Joe Milazzo II, PE
RTA Executive Director