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October 13, 2023 | An APTA Publication
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APTA’s TRANSform Conference & EXPO a Huge Success!
Approximately 12,000 attendees and 663 exhibitors from around the world, representing all facets of the public transportation industry, converged at APTA’s TRANSform Conference & EXPO this week in Orlando, FL, to share best practices and lessons learned, network and explore the technologies and trends that will shape the future of the industry. Attendee numbers broke the TRANSform Conference record for the second year in a row!
The event kicked off with the Opening General Session Mon., Oct. 9. APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas was presiding officer. Dorval R. Carter, Jr., president, Chicago Transit Authority, gave the outgoing chair’s message and Michele Wong Krause, chair, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, gave the incoming chair’s message. Host welcomes included remarks by Buddy Dyer, mayor, City of Orlando, and chair of host agency Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (LYNX); Tiffany Homler Hawkins, LYNX chief executive officer; and Jerry L. Demings, mayor, Orange County. Duncan Wardle, former head of innovation and creativity for Disney, was keynote speaker.
Wong Krause told attendees: “I’ve learned that your integrity, your family and friends, and what you give back is the legacy you leave. I look forward to being part of your legacy and supporting you in every way I can as APTA chair.”
Skoutelas referenced the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed by Congress in 2021, saying it as the “start of a long awaited and hard-earned chapter for public transit agencies and businesses. And so here we are looking back on a momentous year and looking ahead to an ambitious future. Next starts here. What a year this has been, and it’s because of you and all of what you’ve accomplished.”
Carter reflected on his past year as APTA chair, saying he “felt both pride and gratitude. I’ve had the opportunity to share ideas; to explore innovative practices here and in other countries. It has been a humbling experience to visit so many of your agencies and businesses and to see the remarkable work being done to make public transit even more important to the communities that we serve.”
From left: APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas; Michele Wong Krause, APTA chair and chair, Dallas Area Rapid Transit; Dorval R. Carter, Jr., APTA immediate past chair and president, Chicago Transit Authority.
The event included a federal partners update from FTA; the first-ever public transit equity summit; a panel discussion with Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL) and Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL)—who took part in a tour of the EXPO show floor; an educational session on transit’s critical role in managing special events; a discussion on how AI and Augmented Reality are being used in the public transportation industry today; a panel on sustainability initiatives; and more.
At the Oct. 10 APTA Honors Breakfast and Ceremony, attendees celebrated industry excellence, leadership and innovation by honoring APTA Awards winners, winners of the 2023 AdWheel Awards, Sustainability Commitment Recognition recipients, APTF scholarship recipients and Leadership APTA graduates.
Look for coverage of APTA’s 2023 TRANSform Conference & EXPO in the Oct. 20 issue of Passenger Transport.
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APTA President Addresses FPTA, Praises Partnership
The Florida Public Transportation Association (FPTA) held its annual meeting in Orlando, FL, Oct. 10-11, to coincide with APTA’s TRANSform Conference and EXPO, which helped boost attendance and strengthen the APTA-FPTA partnership.
At the FPTA conference panel discussion about federal and state activities, APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas stressed the importance of partnerships. He praised the collaborative work of Executive Director Lisa Bacot; Clinton Forbes, board chair and executive director of Palm Tran; Community Transportation Association of America Executive Director Scott Bogren; and Florida DOT Assistant Secretary Kim Holland.
Skoutelas also thanked fellow panelist Dr. Yvette Taylor, FTA administrator for Region 4, saying, “There has never been a more supportive, tireless and effective group in advancing public transportation and getting more than $63 billion in federal grants to transit agencies across the country.”
While expressing optimism about the “unlimited potential for public transit investment,” and citing projects in Broward County, Miami, Orlando, Jacksonville, Tampa and other Florida communities, Skoutelas described some important areas of focus for APTA and the industry:
- Bus OEMs: Skoutelas announced the creation of a Task Force on Bus Procurement to identify the causes of financial instability, propose immediate and longer-term solutions and consider alternative procurement approaches.
- Workforce Issues: An APTA survey found that 96 percent of transit agencies have a shortage of workers and 84 percent said this is adversely affecting their ability to provide service. Skoutelas urged the audience to view APTA’s new six mini guides that were created to help members address this issue.
- Ridership: Skoutelas announced that average nationwide ridership reached 80 percent in September. He credited transit agencies’ innovative use of resources, enhanced customer service and more flexible routes and scheduling.
- Federal Funding: “We were successful in convincing Congress to fully fund public transit and passenger rail programs under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023,” Skoutelas said. “I’m hoping we can do again for Fiscal Year 2024, but we will need to convince the House of Representatives to restore about $2 billion in proposed cuts.”
Skoutelas urged FPTA members to continue telling persuasive stories about the benefits that public transportation investments deliver to riders and non-riders alike. “We need to be relentless in our advocacy for transit by talking about the growth of businesses, jobs and opportunities we bring to growing, vibrant communities.”
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FTA Announces Nearly $200 Million to Replace Aging Railcars
FTA will provide approximately $197 million this year to replace aging railcars, improving reliability, safety and accessibility. Older railcars used in subway, light rail, commuter rail and other systems contribute to service delays and increased costs, and many of them are not accessible to people with disabilities.
“Millions of Americans rely on public transit every day to get where they need to go—yet far too many railcars are decades out of date,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Thanks to President Biden, we are delivering new funding to replace old rail and subway cars with newer, safer, more accessible ones.”
Transit agencies and state agencies can apply through the Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Rail Vehicle Replacement Program. The President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests $1.5 billion in new funding through 2026 for FTA’s Rail Vehicle Replacement Program. Last May, FTA allocated approximately $703.1 million to six projects through the program.
“One-third of subway and commuter rail vehicles are more than 25 years old,” said FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez. “Americans who ride transit deserve the opportunity to travel on newer, safer and more efficient railcars, and we are proud to provide support for transit agencies to make the significant investments needed to replace their aging railcars and make their systems more accessible.”
Instructions for applying and eligibility information can be found on FTA’s website and in GRANTS.GOV (FTA-2024-002-TPM-RAIL). Complete proposals must be submitted through the GRANTS.GOV “APPLY” function by Dec. 18.
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APTA’s The Transit Authority
A Conversation with Stephen Gardner, CEO, Amtrak
In the latest episode of APTA’s official podcast, The Transit Authority, recorded on the tradeshow floor at APTA’s EXPO 2023 in Orlando, FL, Stephen Gardener, CEO of Amtrak, discusses a wide range of topics including Amtrak’s role in linking cities, regions and rural America, how intercity passenger rail travel options can be made more attractive, recent and upcoming Amtrak system improvements, career advice for students and more. Access all episodes of The Transit Authority.
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APTA 2024 AdWheel Awards Submissions Open!
AdWheel recognizes APTA members’ top marketing and communications initiatives that advance the strategic interests of public transportation organizations. Awards will be given in three categories:
- Best Workforce Development
- Best Efforts to Increase Ridership or Sales
- Best Educational Initiative (Includes highlighting funding needs and all other non-workforce or ridership objectives)
The deadline to submit entries is Nov. 13. First Place winners will be notified late-December 2023 and honored at the 2024 APTA Marketing & Communications Workshop Feb. 11-14 in New Orleans, LA. Grand Award winners will be notified mid-summer 2024 and honored at APTA’s TRANSform Conference Sept. 29-Oct. 2 in Anaheim, CA.
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APTA Standards Open for Comment
The APTA Standards Program has advanced a new document on Emergency Operations Plans for public review and comments.
The public commenting period is an essential component of APTA’s consensus-based standards development process. All executive-level administrators, operators, security professionals and others are invited to provide criticisms, comments or recommendations.
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