PA NEWS Published weekly for Port Authority and PATH employees February 1, 2007/Volume 6/Number 4 Business Briefs The e-Learning Institute Ship-to Rail Container Volumes Soar in ‘06 Takes ‘Show’ on the Road ExpressRail, the Port Authority’s ship-to- “The pur- rail terminals in New Jersey reached a new pose of the high in 2006 – handling a record 338,828 sessions is to cargo containers, 11.8 percent more than Photos: Gertrude Gilligan 2005. In the past seven years, the number show how the of containers transported by rail from the features and Port of New York and New Jersey has functions avail- grown by 113 percent. able on the The total volume now handled by Web site are ExpressRail will remove more than half a used, to Steve Carr and Dawn million truck trips annually from state and At an e-Learning launch demonstration at Lawrence demonstrate local roads, providing a substantial environ- 225 Park Avenue South on January 24 are receive feed- e-Learning’s capabili- mental benefit for the region. (from left) HRD’s Sylvia Shepherd, Wilma back, and ties and benefits. The dramatic increase in ExpressRail Baker, Steve Jones, Terence Joyce, and answer ques- activity came during a year when container Kayesandra Crozier. tions,” said Human Resources Acting volumes were up substantially. The port Director Rosetta Jannotto. set a new record during the first six ll aboard – sign up for months of 2006, surpassing 1.7 million a demonstration of the “Understanding the offerings and loaded 20-foot equivalent units handled A e-Learning Institute while tools of the Web site will enhance during the period for the first time. Human Resources staff is on tour the user’s experience and make the showing staff how to leverage lessons more effective.” Achievements the benefits of the comprehensive The e-Learning Institute has been new Web-based training library. well received by employees agency- Community Recognition Demonstrations are being conducted wide, including Deputy Director of Senior Program in departments and facilities Aviation Alan Reiss. “I already com- Manager J. Joaquin agencywide. Gonzalez of Project Continued on page 2 Management has been named to the Linda DiGregorio Board of Directors AirTrain Traffic Continues Its Ascent of Staten Island t’s official. AirTrain is the “up and University Hospital. He joined the board climbing” way to go for passen- as part of an initiative of the Greater New I gers at Kennedy International and York Hospital Association to involve individ- Newark Liberty International airports. uals with different views, perspectives, and Just check out these record-setting achievements. Mr. Gonzalez was recog- results in 2006: AirTrain JFK's paid nized for his leadership role in his commu- nity and his 20 years of public service. ridership increased 15.4 percent while AirTrain Newark's grew 8.5 percent. Chairman Anthony R. Coscia said, Got Achievements? “AirTrain JFK and AirTrain Newark Monitoring operations at JFK are AirTrain continue to gain riders every year as Maintenance Supervisor Ray Diaz Have you or a co-worker received (standing), JFK Rail Operations Manager the ground transportation of choice Lawrence Wilson, and Bombardier a degree, award, professional distinction, for millions of people who use our or other recognition? Send details to Operations Control Center Supervisor [email protected]. nation's premier domestic and Lisa Banks. international gateways in New York and New Jersey.” Continued on page 2 Retirement News Helping Students Plan ‘Future City’ Staff Services Architect Robert Parsekian After 26 years of service, Eileen (left) and Assistant Engineer Jason Del Meyers of Comptroller’s is calling it a Nero judge an entry in the 2007 Future career. Her retirement celebration is City Competition on January 20 at February 8 at Iberia Peninsula in Newark. Brooklyn’s Polytechnic University. Sponsored by the American Society of John Langton of Civil Engineers, the competition gave Operations Services is middle school students from the NY/NJ closing up his COMSEG region an opportunity to learn about city toolbox after 24 years and planning, future energy technology, and heading for the mountains. transportation through the use of SIM City His retirement party, origi- simulation software and model-making nally set for February 23, materials. Assistant Engineers Alok has been rescheduled to Friday, March 2, Saksena and Paul Wong also were judges. at Arthur’s Tavern in Hoboken. The retirement celebration for Nidia Santos (25 years) and Mike Prince (30 Here’s to Fun, Food, and Retirement years) of the Lincoln Tunnel is set for Wednesday, March 7, at 7 p.m., at Café Recent retirees getting together for lunch Tivoli in Ridgefield. November 29 in Manhattan are from right (standing) Casey Donaghy, Evelyn Alter, Port Authority Police Lt. Brian Toohey and Doris Pollara and (seated) MaryAnn is retiring after 20 years of service. You can Kennedy, Pat Kelemen, Carol Cross, June help him celebrate at the Landmark in East Schissler and her husband Stanley, Rose Rutherford on Thursday, March 29, at 6 p.m. Weber, and Rose Hemmerich. Retirees interested in going to the next get-together Retirement fetes are also planned for can e-mail Ms. Hemmerich at EWR’s Carl Johnson on February 2 and [email protected] or Ms. Polara at Comptroller’s Joe Tobia on February 6. [email protected]. See Employee Bulletins for details. The e-Learning Institute Takes ‘Show’ on the Road Trading Post Continued from page 1 pleted one course and found it to be expanding their skills in areas ranging Trading Post Reminder an excellent way of learning on my from the Microsoft Office Suite to Looking for a carpool in New Jersey? own schedule,” he said. professional development coursework Want to buy a house in Florida or sell a and regulatory compliance training. set of golf clubs? Whether you’re in the Available 24/7 “The Port Authority workforce is market to buy or sell, check out Trading The online e-Learning Institute our agency’s greatest asset,” Ms. Post. Simply go to the EmployeeNet home offers more than 800 training pro- page, click on Trading Post and the accom- Jannotto said. “That’s why we’re panying disclaimer, and complete the form grams. With 24-hour accessibility, pleased to offer this powerful tool for as indicated. employees can participate in develop- career development and learning, and Please remember that Trading Post ment programs at their workstations we encourage staff to learn more is not for commercial purposes and all through EmployeeNet or during about it on Human Resources’ items must be the property of the Port nonwork hours through the Internet, Authority/PATH employee or retiree. EmployeeNet site.” Retirees should e-mail their information (name, phone number and/or e-mail address, description of item, and price) to AirTrain Traffic Continues Its Ascent [email protected]. Continued from page 1 A total of 3,937,041 paid riders from passenger terminals, parking lots Toll-Free Employee Information Line used AirTrain JFK in 2006 to connect and rental car areas. 888-4PANYNJ between JFK’s passenger terminals Executive Director Anthony E. 888-4726965 and the city subway system or the Shorris said, "It's our job to increase Long Island Rail Road. AirTrain Newark, the popularity of these services even Staff is reminded that the toll-free which links EWR to the Northeast more in 2007. It just makes good Employee Information Line provides up-to- Corridor Rail Line served by NJ Transit sense. They're fast, reliable, and pro- the-minute information in the event of and Amtrak, handled 1,457,704 paid vide a great benefit to the region by facility closings or delayed openings related to inclement weather or other conditions passengers in 2006. Both also serve easing traffic and reducing emissions that may affect normal operations. tens of thousands of daily riders who on roadways at and near the airports." use the systems for free travel to and 2 PA News / February 1, 2007.