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Change. Challenge. Opportunity.
The past year has dealt an ample measure of each to public transportation. And APTA — with TransitVision 2050 as the touchstone — has worked hard to achieve successes for the industry.
Message from the Chair and the President
In a year of major change for the nation, APTA took bold steps to secure greater investment in public transportation, help members better serve their communities, and begin implementing TransitVision 2050 for the future of public transportation.
National ridership levels reached a record 10.7 billion passenger trips during 2008—the highest level in 52 years and a 4.0 percent increase from 2007. APTA was proactive in sharing this news in the media and at APTA conferences and public events. Even in the first half of a difficult 2009, ridership defied expectations.
Your association worked closely with the new Administration and Congress, urging an increase in federal funding for public transportation in several critical pieces of legislation. To that end, APTA introduced a campaign, Public Transportation Takes Us There, emphasizing how public transportation helps the nation solve several of its most pressing problems.
Our advocacy efforts have helped to bring public transit forward in the nation’s agenda and in the public mind. APTA has engaged the Administration in discussing the critical role public transit plays in maintaining and creating jobs, reducing America’s carbon footprint, moving the nation toward energy independence, and creating a better quality of life. APTA carried this message to Congress throughout the year.
The greater recognition of the industry’s contributions has contributed to increased federal investment. We worked for passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which is making crucial investments in capital infrastructure. APTA helped its members secure these much-needed investments and use them to expand public transit and support jobs in their communities.
APTA’s consistent strategic advocacy played a crucial role in achieving these legislative achievements. Yet the greatest opportunity is just ahead, as APTA seeks to match record demand for public transit with a record federal investment, through the new surface transportation authorization bill.
Through APTA’s many volunteer committees, we made great strides in the association’s long-term development. With TransitVision 2050 as guidance, APTA began developing a new strategic plan. APTA also embarked on a process of creating in its governance structure more opportunity and inclusivity in order to meet future challenges. In addition, we took important steps to prepare the industry for the challenge of a coming wave of retirements. Working through our members, APTA moved forward with multiple events and programs to help public transit more effectively recruit and retain the workforce of tomorrow.
This year’s theme, “Quality Public Transit—Now!” was also the theme of APTA’s Annual Meeting and EXPO in San Diego, CA, with more than 17,000 participants and more than 700 exhibiting companies—the largest EXPO ever and the largest transit conference in the world.
This concept was also carried through in the many conferences, workshops, webinars and seminars held throughout
the country.
In this year of major change, one constant was the dedication and commitment of APTA members. Through the hard work of the APTA Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and APTA Committee members, APTA made 2009 a major station on the route to a greater future for public transportation.
We thank every APTA member for helping to make it happen, and we are counting on your continued support in the coming year as we take important steps to seize new opportunities and make our vision for public transportation a reality.
Sincerely,
Accomplishing Legislative Goals
>In the final year of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEALU), APTA’s legislative efforts were in high gear, under the leadership of APTA’s Vice Chair for Government Affairs, J. Barry Barker, executive director of Transit Authority of River City, Louisville, KY, and the APTA Legislative Committee, chaired by William L. Volk, managing director of Champaign- Urbana (IL) Mass Transit District.
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
APTA’s advocacy efforts also yielded major results in February, when the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) was signed into law. It includes $8.4 billion of new capital investment in public transportation, of which $6.9 billion was available for capital projects eligible for funding under the existing transit formula programs.
In addition, $8 billion was provided for the development of new intercity and high-speed rail service. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced its application process for these grants in June at APTA’s Rail Conference in Chicago.
As part of the ARRA legislation, the cap for tax-free transit benefits was raised from $120 per month to $230—the same amount that car commuters have been allowed for tax-free parking costs.
President Obama in June signed a bill that includes a provision allowing public transit agencies to use up to 10 percent of their ARRA formula funds to cover operating costs of “equipment and facilities for use in public transportation.” This language also allowed agencies to amend previously submitted applications to redirect ARRA funds toward operating needs.
To aid APTA members in applying for and receiving ARRA funds, APTA kept members apprised of grant deadlines and helped FTA answer members’ questions. These efforts included holding two webinars with FTA as well as sessions at APTA conferences, and notices of ARRA guidance and rulemakings in APTA publications.
Rail Safety and Investment
APTA worked closely with Congress as it developed the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008, which included the Rail Safety Act. APTA was successful in advocating for new federal grants for highspeed and intercity rail, as well as commuter-rail exemptions for hours-of-service rules developed for freight rail.
Authorization
APTA’s Legislative Committee worked hard to develop recommendations for the new authorization bill, covering both the level of investment and programmatic improvements. These recommendations were approved at the 2008 Annual Meeting in San Diego, after a year-long process of building consensus.
These recommendations call for a doubling of federal investment in public transportation: $123 billion over six years, peaking at $30.1 billion in FY 2015. APTA also seeks stronger funding guarantees for long-term capital investment projects; streamlined project delivery; a simpler needs-based federal program structure; a greater role for public transit in cutting greenhouse gases and energy conservation; greater federal investment in workforce development to address the growing shortage of public transit employees; and more federal investment in research.
Appropriations
APTA’s legislative efforts were also reflected in the FY 2009 transportation appropriations bill, which contained a record $10.2 billion in transit funding. While Congress has not yet completed the FY 2010 Transportation Appropriations bill, the House bill sets transit funding at $10.5 billion and the Senate bill at $11.1 billion. The respective House and Senate bills provide $4 billion and $1.2 billion for high-speed intercity passenger rail.
Climate Change
APTA fought to include public transportation as an eligible “green” use of proceeds from the cap-and-trade of carbon emissions in the American Clean Energy and Security Act, advocating for an increased percentage and for dedicated funding of public transit in the bill. An additional opportunity through the CLEAN-TEA bill, first introduced in the House in March, would devote 10 percent of such proceeds to public transportation. The climate change bill remains before Congress.
Speaking for Members on Federal Rulemakings
APTA successfully advocated for our members’ interests in a variety of regulatory matters.
APTA worked with members and the FTA to ensure that reporting for ARRA-funded transit projects did not create an undue burden on public transit systems and the business members who provide goods and services to them. In partnership with several educational associations, APTA successfully advocated for the withdrawal of the proposed school bus rule and, with our educational partners and key members of Congress, continue to press for reversal of an earlier policy statement that would similarly threaten public transit’s ability to serve our communities. Three significant U.S. Department of Health and Human Services rules threatened to shift financial burdens to our paratransit systems. In each case, either Congress or the Administration has taken actions to amend or postpone the proposal, in the context of APTA’s consistent advocacy.
Embarking on an Expansion of Our Knowledge
Two research surveys of the APTA membership in 2009 gauged the impacts of the challenging times. The first, Impact of Rising Fuel Costs on Transit Services, documented the impact on public transit systems of record-high fuel prices. The second, Challenge of State and Local Funding Constraints on Transit Systems: Effects on Service Fares, Employment and Ridership, surveyed the service cuts and fare increases member systems were forced to undertake as they dealt with flat or declining budgets. In addition, a report sponsored by APTA’s business members titled Impacts of the Financial Crisis on the Transit Industry provided further analysis on the state of credit, finance, and insurance markets. APTA used the results of these materials in efforts to secure greater investment in public transportation.
APTA also sponsored several additional reports that bolster the case for increased investment in public transit. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)/APTA Bottom Line Report identified the enormous capital needs of transportation. Moving Cooler: An Analysis of Transportation Strategies for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions affirmed public transit’s standing as a key climate strategy. To kick off both reports, APTA co-sponsored events on Capitol Hill that drew participation from key members of Congress and generated significant coverage from the national media.
APTA also published the white paper Job Impacts of Spending on Public Transportation: An Update, which documents the integral role public transportation plays in the national economy, showing that every $1 billion in investment in public transit supports 30,000 jobs. The Texas Transportation Institute’s 2009 Urban Mobility Report, sponsored by APTA, documents the contribution of the industry to reducing traffic congestion, saving 646 million hours of delay and $13.7 billion in congestion costs. In addition, APTA’s Public Transportation Fact Book, the industry’s source of public transit data, is now available entirely online, with supplementary appendices. Online publication availability is part of APTA’s efforts to operate more sustainably and to make its publications more widely available.
Communicating Achievements and Advocating for Advancement
APTA Publications
This year was a time of change for APTA’s publications. Based on a comprehensive member survey, APTA introduced a redesigned Passenger Transport, publishing it biweekly in print and, for the first time, electronically as well, to expand its reach to our members. Passenger Transport EXPRESS is published in alternating weeks with Passenger Transport.
National Media Coverage
APTA has achieved significant success in the past year in securing media coverage that promotes the industry. On subjects from record ridership to the budgetary challenges facing transit members to how business members support and create jobs with economic stimulus funds, APTA kept the benefits of the industry in the news. Stories appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, ABC World News Tonight, CBS Radio, The Christian Science Monitor, Newsweek International, and many other media outlets.
Advocacy Campaign
APTA expanded its outreach efforts in FY 2009 with the introduction of the Public Transportation Takes Us There campaign. Launched at the Legislative Conference, it highlights the benefits public transportation brings to America’s economy, energy profile, and environment, to help create a better quality of life. The campaign was developed by the APTA Marketing and Communications Committee, with Aaron Weinstein, department manager for marketing and research at the Bay Area Rapid Transit District in Oakland, CA, as its chair, working with APTA’s vice chair for marketing and communications, Thomas J. Costello, assistant managing director of Champaign- Urbana (IL) Mass Transit District.
The campaign offers online tools for local systems to use and features a web site to educate the public. At its launch, the campaign featured advertisements that ran in such influential publications as Roll Call and The Hill. Through this effort, local public transit systems were given a variety of broadcast, print, and web-based advocacy tools to promote the use of public transportation.
Advocacy Events
The 4th Annual National Dump the Pump Day on June 18 brought together more than 100 public transportation systems to promote public transportation. Participating systems held a variety of public outreach events, which were highlighted in the news media.
APTA for the first time participated in both parties’ presidential nominating conventions, holding receptions with key Congressional partners. APTA also promoted the industry by sponsoring or participating in a number of events throughout the year, such as forums hosted by the UN Foundation, Congressional Quarterly, and the Design- Build Institute of America; a year-long interactive Green Communities exhibit featured at the National Building Museum; and others.
In early 2009, APTA began hosting a speaker series, Transportation Tuesdays, at the APTA offices, in which transportation experts from nonprofit groups, government, and consulting spoke on subjects of great interest to the industry. Speakers included FRA Deputy Administrator Karen Rae and former Deputy Secretary of Transportation Mort Downey.
APTA continued to expand its reach through the new “Go Green: Go Public” campaign, which relies on uniquely tailored print and broadcast public service announcements to motivate students and young adults to use public transportation.
Building the Future Workforce
Workforce Development Blue Ribbon Panel
In 2008, APTA’s TransitVision 2050 created a long-term vision of public transportation’s role in the nation’s surface transportation system. Across North America, trends in population, urban growth, energy, the environment and the economy pointed favorably to a robust future for public transportation. As part of this vision, the industry has career appeal for a new, diverse population of the best and brightest. Building on its success and that of APTA’s previous workforce development initiatives, APTA Chair Beverly Scott, general manager and CEO of Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), established a blue ribbon panel on workforce development. The panel represents the public and private sectors of the industry, including labor, academia, and the next generation of leaders and is chaired by APTA Vice Chair for Human Resources Doran Barnes, executive director of Foothill Transit, West Covina, CA. The panel developed a unified work plan for the next five years, with recommendations for new programs, projects and services to address image and branding; higher education issues; youth outreach and awareness programs; partnerships and collaborations, including labor-management partnerships; development of performance metrics to determine the return on investment; and the impact of authorization of the federal public transportation law and other legislative proposals on workforce development.
Advancing Professional Development Opportunities
APTA continued to advance professional development opportunities by making conferences and meetings more meaningful, productive, and satisfying for APTA members. For the first time, APTA received approval from the American Institute of Certified Planners — the professional institute of the American Planning Association — to award Certification Management credits at the Bus & Paratransit, Bus Rapid Transit, and Rail conferences.
Also new this year, attendees received online access to the conference proceedings. This added benefit provided members with universal access to some of the most important technical research advancing the industry.
Preparing the Next Generation of Leaders: Leadership APTA
Under the leadership and guidance of the Leadership APTA Committee, the 12th class of Leadership APTA was selected. The program continued to focus on core competencies in leadership and class leadership projects addressing pressing industry challenges. So far, Leadership APTA has graduated nearly 300 new leaders in public transportation.
American Public Transportation Foundation
Celebrating its 20th anniversary and dedicated to the future leaders of the public transportation industry, the American Public Transportation Foundation (APTF) met its $300,000 fundraising goal. APTF — the charitable affiliate of APTA — has awarded more than 130 scholarships since 1988 to students pursuing studies and careers in public transportation. In 2008, APTF awarded 22 scholarships totaling $72,000.
Serving and Assisting APTA Members
In consideration of the economic strain facing members, APTA developed an austere budget for FY 2010 that included no dues increase for the third consecutive year. Membership levels continued to be stable, with 1,500 members at the end of the fiscal year.
Sharing Knowledge, Building Relationships
APTA continued to foster knowledge sharing among its members through interactive meetings and conferences. APTA continued to feature engaging, high-demand speakers in its major conferences and meetings. In keeping with APTA Chair Beverly Scott’s theme, “Quality Transit—Now!” speakers focused on advancing TransitVision 2050, improving sustainability, energy and economic issues, public-private partnerships, and other topics.
APTA’s 2008 Annual Meeting and EXPO in San Diego was the largest ever, with more than 17,000 participants and a total of 754 exhibitors. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, addressed the General Session. Also speaking were environmentalist and public transit supporter Ed Begley, Jr.; Darcy Winslow, a senior executive at Nike; and Jim Donald, a former CEO of Starbucks.
APTA conferences received strong participation from leaders in Congress and the Administration. The 2009 Rail Conference featured remarks from FRA Administrator Joseph Szabo and FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff—the first time both administrators were present at an APTA conference. The 2009 Legislative Conference featured Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood; House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee (T&I) Chairman James Oberstar (D-MN); Ranking Member John Mica (R-FL); Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT); Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), member of the House Ways and Means Committee; and Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), chair of the T&I Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
The Marketing and Communications Workshop featured a Call Center Challenge, won this year by Robyn Jeoffroy of Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. Teams from Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority won top honors in the 2009 Rail Rodeo and Bus Roadeo.
Continuing Development of Safety and Standards
APTA developed six new security standards, 12 new bus standards, and two new rail standards in FY 2009. APTA members worked on standards pertaining to collision prevention, crashworthiness, cell phone use and driver distraction, energy storage, facial/behavioral recognition software, cybersecurity advances, and improvements in safety and signage.
The association helped members proactively enhance their operations through the peer review program, providing 12 reviews in the fiscal year. Reviews were provided for transit agencies in the U.S., Canada, and Hong Kong. For the first time, two reviews were conducted virtually, using webbased technology and teleconferencing, to afford greater flexibility and a wider range of industry expertise.
APTA also performed safety audit work for a total of 31 transit systems, in the form of pre-audits, post-audits, and audits, and began implementation of a new software program to help systems track, interpret, and evaluate their safety programs and increase the efficiency of the review process.
Working to Improve Rail Safety
APTA continued to develop rail safety standards, including commuter rail standards for collision performance of pushback couplers and cab/passenger seating, plus a general review of possible enhancements to the current vehicle structural standard. Many of these standards for commuter rail are now being similarly developed for heavy and light rail modes, including standards for emergency egress/exits, emergency lighting, and signage. APTA further supported work of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in the development of its recently published Safety Standard for Structural Requirements for Heavy Rail Transit Vehicles addressing crashworthiness and is further contributing to the development and release of a similar standard for light rail vehicles. Notably, the association also completed its standard for rail transit hours of service.
Emergency Response Preparedness Program
APTA continues to emphasize and promote emergency preparedness through the Emergency Response Preparedness Program (ERPP), a mutual aid tool that helps provide physical and informational resources to members who may require assistance in the event of an emergency. The program, funded by FTA, continues its outreach to the industry for volunteer resources and inventory, as well as industry information. ERPP distributes a monthly newsletter that informs the industry of current preparedness (including H1N1 influenza) efforts and lessons learned from past experiences. The program has increased more than 20 percent and includes over 260 members.
Building International Relationships
APTA over the course of the year hosted multiple international study missions, bilateral meetings, and other events with visitors from around the world. These included a delegation from India; a group of international investors; a member of an Austrian city council; a delegation from Colombia; and a French mayor and city government delegation. APTA also held a meeting on public-private partnerships (PPPs) with the city of Lyon, France. In addition, at the APTA Annual Meeting and EXPO in San Diego, the Federal Transit Administration held a Japan-U.S. bilateral meeting and the second annual France-U.S. workshop on PPPs.
Leveraging Business Opportunities
This year APTA’s Business Member Board of Governors, chaired by Sharon Greene of Sharon Greene & Associates of Laguna Beach, CA, reviewed and updated its tactical plan. It includes tools for arranging visits with legislators; updating and using the geographic information system; recruiting business members for leadership positions; developing papers that make the case for private sector investment in public transit; promoting international business opportunities; and improving the utility of the business member resource room.
Sustainability Pilot Program
The past year saw the introduction of the APTA Sustainability Commitment, under the leadership of Fred Hansen, chair of the APTA Sustainability Task Force and general manager of TriMet in Portland, OR. The voluntary program features four levels of achievement. Signatories agree to adhere to several base principles, including making sustainability a strategic objective and the measurement of energy use and waste. As of Summer 2009, there were 33 signatories. APTA itself signed this commitment and is undertaking efforts to improve sustainability of practices at the APTA offices.
APTA Strategic Plan 2010-2014
Under the leadership of APTA First Vice Chair M.P. Carter, commissioner of the Memphis (TN) Area Transit Authority, the process began for creating a new APTA strategic plan to guide the association in the near future. This work—multiple meetings, listening and brainstorming sessions—has involved all APTA members as well as APTA staff, eliciting suggestions and encouraging individuals to share their aspirations for APTA in the next five years, specifically noting how APTA can help achieve key industry goals.
Creating More Opportunities to Lead
Following the ideas and goals established by TransitVision 2050, APTA embarked upon a process to create more leadership opportunities by suggesting possible reforms to its governance structure.
The APTA Executive Committee’s Governance and Committee Structure Task Force worked throughout the year in building consensus and developing a proposal. The proposal is scheduled to be considered by the Board of Directors in October 2009.
APTA Executive Committee
APTA Board Of Directors
- Mark R. Aesch, Rochester, NY
- Richard J. Bacigalupo, Orange, CA
- Paul J. Ballard, Nashville, TN
- Jean-Pierre Baracat, St. Eustache, QC
- J. Barry Barker, Louisville, KY
- Doran J. Barnes, West Covina, CA
- Bruno A. Barreiro, Miami, FL
- Stephen G. Bland, Pittsburgh, PA
- Michael Blaylock, Jacksonville, FL
- Linda J. Bohlinger, Santa Ana, CA
- Christopher P. Boylan, New York, NY
- John A. Brooks, Pittsburgh, PA
- Robert I. Brownstein, New York, NY
- Michael T. Burns, San Jose, CA
- Allan E. Byam, Amherst, MA
- Joseph A. Calabrese, Cleveland, OH
- Mattie P. Carter, Memphis, TN
- Joseph M. Casey, Philadelphia, PA
- Flora M. Castillo, Newark, NJ
- John B. Catoe Jr., Washington, DC
- Irene Caudillo, Kansas City, MO
- Denis Clements, Surrey, BC
- Thomas J. Costello, Urbana, IL
- Pasquale T. Deon Sr., Philadelphia, PA
- Kevin Desmond, Seattle, WA
- Yves Devin, Montreal, QC
- George F. Dixon III, Cleveland, OH
- Mark Donaghy, Dayton, OH
- Sandy Draggoo, Lansing, MI
- Dorothy W. Dugger, Oakland, CA
- Joyce Eleanor, Everett, WA
- Albrecht P. Engel, Telford, PA
- Nathaniel P. Ford Sr., San Francisco, CA
- Joel Gauthier, Montreal, QC
- Sharon Greene, Laguna Beach, CA
- Delon Hampton, Washington, DC
- Fred Hansen, Portland, OR
- John L. Hendrickson, Waco, TX
- Loren “Ben” Herr, Austin, TX
- David A. Hillock, Lisle, IL
- Mark E. Huffer, Kansas City, MO
- Angela Iannuzziello, Markham, ON
- Paul C. Jablonski, San Diego, CA
- Harpal S. Kapoor, Miami, FL
- Daniel G. Kelleher, Plano, TX
- Ronald J. Kilcoyne, Bridgeport, CT
- David W. Kilmer, Lancaster, PA
- Stephen B. Kingsberry, Dover, DE
- Liz Kniss, San Jose, CA
- Jeanne Krieg, Antioch, CA
- Arthur T. Leahy, Los Angeles, CA
- Rosa Macrito, Schiller Park, IL
- Frank T. Martin, Tallahassee, FL
- James McCray Jr., San Francisco, CA
- Jonathan H. McDonald,
- San Francisco, CA
- Gary W. McNeil, Toronto, ON
- David W. Mikoryak, Indianapolis, IN
- Bradford J. Miller, Des Moines, IA
- William A. Mitchell, Boston, MA
- Mary Jo Morandini, Rochester, PA
- Alfred J. Moscola, Providence, RI
- Hugh A. Mose, State College, PA
- Gail Murray, San Francisco, CA
- Steven L. Myers, Ft. Myers, FL
- Gordon A. Nevison, Bel Air, MD
- Steve New, Victoria, BC
- Joe Murray Rivers, Savannah, GA
- Stanley J. Rosenblum, New York, NY
- Ghassan Salameh, McLean, VA
- Richard R. Sarles, Newark, NJ
- Michael J. Scanlon, San Carlos, CA
- Stephen E. Schlickman, Chicago, IL
- Beverly A. Scott, Atlanta, GA
- Carl G. Sedoryk, Monterey, CA
- David Solow, Los Angeles, CA
- Beverley K. Swaim-Staley,
- Hanover, MD
- Gary C. Thomas, Dallas, TX
- Michael S. Townes, Hampton, VA
- Claude Trudel, Montreal, QC
- Peter Varga, Grand Rapids, MI
- J. Michael Walls, Atlanta, GA
- Phillip A. Washington, Denver, CO
- Gary M. Webster, Toronto, ON
- Jeffrey Wharton, Mount Olive, NC
- Paul J. Wiedefeld, Baltimore, MD
- Gary Willms, Poway, CA
- Frank J. Wilson, Houston, TX
- John L. Wilson, Lubbock, TX
- Alan C. Wulkan, Scottsdale, AZ
- Christopher Zimmerman,Washington, DC