Preliminary Program

Saturday, April 2

7:30 am – 3:00 pm

8:30 am – 3:30 pm

TECHNICAL TOUR

Railroad Revival: Rail and Transit Oriented Development in Southern California

8:30 am – 3:30 pm

SPOUSE/GUEST TOUR

Orange County via Metrolink

1:00 – 5:00 pm

• APTA Registration Desk
• Host Information Desk

3:30 – 5:30 pm

Commuter Rail CEOs Subcommittee

Sunday, April 3

8:00 am – 5:00 pm

• APTA Registration Desk
• Host Information Desk
• Moderator/Speakers Room
• A/V Preview Room
• TCRP/NTI Information Center

9:00 - 11:00 am

TECHNICAL TOUR

Metrolink Central Maintenance Facility

9:30 am – 3:00 pm

SPOUSE/GUEST TOUR
J. Paul Getty Museum

10:00 – 11:30 am

Commuter Rail Committee

12:00 noon – 2:00 pm

THE GRAND LUNCH
Public Transportation: Getting Down to Business

2:15 – 3:45 pm

TECHNICAL SESSIONS

• Commuter Rail Planning in the Southern California Context
• New Starts Roundtable
• Quiet Zones "Coming to a Railroad Near YOU!"
• This is APTA

4:30 – 6:00 pm

Tours of Union Station

5:00 – 7:00 pm

EQUIPMENT DISPLAY
Los Angeles Union Station

6:00 – 7:00 pm

Welcoming Reception

Monday, April 4

7:30 – 8:30 am

Continental Breakfast

8:00 am – 5:00 pm

• Moderator/Speakers Room
• A/V Preview Room
• TCRP/NTI Information Center

10:00 am – 5:00 pm

PRODUCT SHOWCASE

10:00 am – 2:30 pm

SPOUSE/GUEST TOUR
Walt Disney Concert Hall/
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels

10:30 am – 12:00 noon

TECHNICAL SESSIONS

• Can Our Industry Demonstrate Diligence For Security?
• Commuter Rail Fare Collection Issues
• Technology: Hot Vehicle Topics

12:00 noon – 1:30 pm

Intercity Corridor Development Committee

1:30 – 3:00 pm

TECHNICAL SESSIONS

• "Best Practices" Poster Session
• Joint Intercity Regional Corridors
• Multimodal Transit Standards—A Change in The Industry
• Outsourcing: Case Studies (or "Service Contracting: What Drives You Crazy? ")

Tuesday, April 5

7:30 am– 8:30 am

Continental Breakfast

• 7:30 am– 1:00 pm

8:00 am – 1:00 pm

• Moderator/Speakers Room
• A/V Preview Room
• TCRP/NTI Information Center

8:30 – 10:00 am

TECHNICAL SESSIONS

• "Dude, Where’s My Train?"
• California Rail Services
• Media Training
• What’s Up in Washington?

10:30 am – 12:00 noon

TECHNICAL SESSIONS

• Contracting Out: The International Experience Planning for DMU Systems (Or "To DMU or Not To DMU")
• Workforce Development

12:30 – 2:00 pm

CLOSING GENERAL SESSION & LUNCHEON
Evolution of the Commuter Rail Industry

2:15 – 4:00 pm

Commuter Rail Conference Planning Subcommittee

Saturday, April 2

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Sunday, April 3

8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Monday, April 4

7:30 am – 5:00 pm

Tuesday, April 5

7:30 am – 1:00 pm

SATURDAY, APRIL 2

7:30 am – 3:00 pm

TECHNICAL TOUR

Alameda Corridor

(140 person limit, due to boat capacity)

The combined Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach provide the largest single source of goods from the Far East to the United States. Today, this volume of freight is a critical factor in the provision and growth of passenger rail service in the Los Angeles region. This tour will take participants down the Alameda Corridor to the Port of Los Angeles, where participants will see the tremendous logistical challenges faced by the region. The tour will also include a harbor cruise aboard a charter boat to see the port "up close."

Transportation: At 7:30 a.m. tour participants will travel from the Bonaventure Hotel to Union Station by bus, where they will board a Metrolink train to travel the Alameda Corridor. Continental breakfast will be provided on-board. Upon arrival at the harbor, participants will board a charter boat and tour the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Participants will return to Los Angeles Union Station via Metrolink and to the Bonaventure Hotel via bus or Metro Red Line.

Cost: $40 per person, includes continental breakfast; lunch on your own at Ports O’ Call Village.

Advance Sign-Up Required: Please complete the Tour Sign-Up Form in the back of the program, or on APTA’s web site, www.apta.com, and return it to APTA with your payment by March 15.

8:30 am – 3:30 pm

TECHNICAL TOUR

Railroad Revival: Rail and Transit
Oriented Development in
Southern California

The Orange County Line is the second most productive line in the entire Metrolink system. Participants will travel this popular route from Los Angeles Union Station to the historic mission town of San Juan Capistrano. The tour travels next to the Irvine Metrolink station located in one of Southern California’s largest employment centers, the historic Santa Ana Station near the seat of county government, and the Anaheim Station near Angel Stadium and Disneyland, with lunch at Downtown Disney. After lunch, participants will travel to the Fullerton Station with its rich railroad history and tour the revitalized downtown area and TODs.

Transportation: At 8:30 a.m. tour participants will travel from the Bonaventure Hotel to Union Station by bus, where they will board a Metrolink train. Upon arrival in San Juan Capistrano, participants will board an Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) bus for the station visits. After lunch, participants will board an OCTA bus to Fullerton, then return to Union Station via Metrolink and to the Bonaventure Hotel via bus or Metro Red Line.

Cost: $35 per person, includes lunch.

Advance Sign-Up Required: Please complete the Tour Sign-Up Form in the back of the program, or on APTA’s web site, www.apta.com, and return it to APTA with your payment by March 15.

8:30 am – 3:30 pm

SPOUSE/GUEST TOUR

Orange County via Metrolink

You’ve seen the "The OC" on television. Now see the real Orange County from the window of a Metrolink train. This tour highlights the historic and scenic areas served by Metrolink. Participants will tour the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano, and enjoy lunch, shopping and time at the beach in San Clemente, where the train stops right at the pier. This tour is provided in collaboration with the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA).

Transportation: At 8:30 a.m. tour participants will travel from the Bonaventure Hotel by bus to Union Station, where they will board a Metrolink train. OCTA will provide shuttle service to downtown San Clemente and back to the pier. Participants will return to the Bonaventure Hotel via bus or Metro Red Line.

Cost: $40 per person (lunch details to be determined).

Advance Sign-Up Required: Please complete the Tour Sign-Up Form in the back of the program, or on APTA’s web site, www.apta.com, and return it to APTA with your payment by March 15.

1:00 – 5:00 pm

• APTA Registration Desk
• Host Information Desk

3:30 – 5:30 pm

Commuter Rail CEOs Subcommittee
Chair, Anna M. Barry

SUNDAY, APRIL 3

8:00 am – 5:00 pm

• APTA Registration Desk
• Host Information Desk
• Moderator/Speakers Room
• A/V Preview Room
• TCRP/NTI Information Center

9:00 – 11:00 am

TECHNICAL TOUR

Metrolink Central Maintenance Facility

This tour will take participants to Metrolink’s Central Maintenance Facility, where they will see Southern California Regional Rail Authority’s (SCRRA) state-of-the-art facility. Metrolink also supports and promotes tactical training by law enforcement and other first responders to security emergencies. This tour will also include a tactical demonstration, with opportunities for tour guests to "participate."

Transportation: At 9:00 a.m. tour participants will travel from the Bonaventure Hotel by bus to the facility. At the conclusion of the tour, participants will return to the hotel by bus.

Cost: No charge; tour compliments of SCRRA.

Advance Sign-Up Required: Please complete the Tour Sign-Up Form in the back of the program, or on APTA’s web site, www.apta.com, and return it to APTA by March 15.

9:30 am – 3:00 pm (100 person limit)

SPOUSE/GUEST TOUR

J. Paul Getty Museum

The J. Paul Getty Museum is architecturally striking, and houses one of the most significant collections of art in the United States. This tour will take participants to Brentwood by bus to the Museum, where participants can take self-guided tours or join any of several guided tours, and enjoy lunch-on-their-own in on of the several venues available at this fabulous facility.

Transportation: At 9:30 a.m. tour participants will travel from the Bonaventure Hotel by bus to the museum. At the conclusion of the tour, participants will return to the hotel by bus.

Cost: $15 per person (lunch-on-your-own).

Advance Sign-Up Required: Please complete the Tour Sign-Up Form in the back of the program, or on APTA’s web site, www.apta.com, and return it to APTA with your payment by March 15.

10:00 – 11:30 am

Commuter Rail Committee
Chair, Anna M. Barry

12:00 noon – 2:00 pm

THE GRAND LUNCH

Public Transportation: Getting Down to Business

Since the 109th Congress started in January, what progress can we expect in the public transportation arena? Has the long-stalled TEA 21 legislation gained renewed attention? What is the federal funding outlook for the year ahead? This session will explore all of these issues and their importance to the public transportation industry.

Presiding:
Kathryn D. Waters, Vice Chair–Commuter and Intercity Rail, APTA, and Vice President, Commuter Rail & Railroad Management, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Dallas, TX

Welcomes:
Art Brown, Chairman, Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink), Los Angeles, CA

David Solow, Chief Executive Officer, Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink), Los Angeles, CA

Additional speakers to be announced.

Featured Speaker: to be announced.

The Grand Lunch sponsored by Washington Group International, Inc.

2:15 – 3:45 pm

Commuter Rail Planning in the Southern California Context

Metrolink is a creation of five county transportation commissions.

How they work together to create a seamless commuter rail network is the focus of this session. Panelists will describe SCRRA’s strategic planning process, in light of its member agencies’ individual service requirements and funding availability, also in the context of the region’s mixed freight and passenger rail environment.

Moderator: to be announced.

Panelists: Senior Staff and/or Board Members, Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink)

2:15 – 3:45 pm

New Starts Roundtable

What are the critical decisions you need to make when you undertake a new start? This session will highlight a sample of the new starts projects underway in North America. Each presentation will focus on the status of their projects, major issues and obstacles, financial resources, political challenges, downfalls and lessons learned.

 Moderator:

Jolene M. Molitoris, Chair, APTA Business Member Program Committee, and President and Chief Executive Officer, GeoFocus, L.L.C., Boca Raton, FL

Panelists:

Chris Blewett, Director, Transportation & Planning Services, Mid-Region Council of Governments, Albuquerque, NM

Fred M. Gilliam, Vice Chair – Bus and Paratransit Operations, APTA, and President/Chief Executive Officer, Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Austin, TX

William J. Novak, Office Manager, HDR ENGINEERING, INC., Alexandria, VA

John O. Hedrick, Executive Director, Denton County Transportation Authority, Lewisville, TX

Session sponsored by DMJM+Harris

2:15 – 3:45 pm

Quiet Zones "Coming to a Railroad Near YOU!"

Operating and technical experts, along with an official from the Federal Railroad administration, will discuss the new Quiet Zone rule that will allow communicates and railroads working together to reduce noise from locomotive horns as trains approach and move through at-grade crossings. The Final Rule is set to become effective April 1, just days before the conference begins, so be prepared to hear the most up-to-date information from the experts.

Moderator: Chuck A. Spitulnik, Partner, McLeod, Watkinson & Miller, Washington, DC

Panelists: Steven Wylie, Chair, APTA Commuter Rail Conference Planning Subcommittee, and Assistant Executive Director, Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink), Los Angeles, CA

Ruby A. Siegel, Senior Vice President, Planning, SYSTRA Consulting, Inc./SYSTRA Engineering, Inc., Bloomfield, NJ

Rick Carey, Senior Project Manager, Transit & Rail Group, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., Boston, MA

Ron Riese, Staff Director, Crossing Safety & Transportation Division, Federal Railroad Administration, Washington, DC

Session sponsored by Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.

2:15 – 3:45 pm

This is APTA

The American Public Transportation Association is well known as the voice of the transit industry. As a member, do you know how APTA works and how APTA is governed? APTA’s success depends on the participants and input from all its members—how can you realize the full potential of your membership? This session answers your questions on where to start as a new or long-standing member in getting to know about and becoming involved in your Association.

Presenter: William W. Millar, President, APTA

5:00 – 7:00 pm

EQUIPMENT DISPLAY

Los Angeles Union Station

Tours of historic Los Angeles Union Station will be conducted by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) before and during the Equipment Display. Vehicles planned for the display include Metrolink equipment, restored private rail cars, a steam locomotive, Southern California’s Operation Lifesaver train, a DMU, and possibly some maintenance-of-way equipment.

Refreshments compliments of MotivePower

6:00 – 7:00 pm

Welcoming Reception

You and your guest are invited to see old fiends and meet new ones at the Welcoming Reception. The reception, held in the in Los Angeles Union Station’s historic Old Ticket Room, kicks off the 2005 Commuter Rail Conference.

Reception sponsored by LTK Engineering Services and APTA.

MONDAY, APRIL 4

7:30 – 8:30 am

Continental Breakfast

Sponsored by ALSTOM.

7:30 am – 5:00 pm

• APTA Registration Desk
• Host Information Desk

8:00 am – 5:00 pm

• Moderator/Speakers Room
• A/V Preview Room
• TCRP/NTI Information Center

8:30 - 10:00 am

OPENING GENERAL SESSION

Freight/Commuter Rail Relations

Across the nation, commuter railroads operate on rights of way owned and operated by freight railroads, and vice versa. Infrastructure investment and operational challenges are common to both. This interactive discussion will focus on the challenges freight railroads face, and opportunities and perspectives on public-private partnerships as we look to the future.

Moderator: Linda J. Morgan, Partner, Covington & Burling, Washington, DC

Presiding: Richard A. White, Chair, APTA, and General Manager/ Chief Executive Officer, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Washington, DC

President’s Welcome: William W. Millar, President, APTA

Welcome: Art Brown, Chairman, Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink), Los Angeles, CA

Panelists: Peter J. Rickershauser, Vice President, Network Development, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company, Fort Worth, TX

Robert W. Turner Sr., Vice President, Corporate Relations, Union Pacific Railroad, Omaha, NE

H. Craig Lewis, Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Norfolk Southern Corporation, Philadelphia, PA

John M. Gibson Jr., Vice President, Passenger and Operations Planning, CSX Transportation Inc., Jacksonville, FL

General Session sponsored by Connex Railroad LLC.

10:00 am – 5:00 pm

PRODUCT SHOWCASE
(lunch provided)

Attend the popular Commuter Rail Product Showcase and view the latest products and services designed specifically for the commuter rail industry. A wide range of APTA manufacturer, supplier, and consultant members will be on hand to showcase their latest products and services. This is the event of the year in this sector if you are in the commuter rail market.

Participation in the Product Showcase is open only to APTA members who are registered for the 2005 Commuter Rail Conference AND exhibiting at EXPO ‘05. The cost is $975 for a 10’ � 10 ’ booth if your reservation form and payment are received at APTA by February 28. After February 21, the cost is $1,175. The Product Showcase Reservation Form may be found in the back of this program or on APTA’s web site, www.apta.com. If you have questions, please contact APTA’s Meetings Department at 202-496-4839.

Product Showcase lunch compliments of Sumitomo Corporation of America/Nippon Sharyo and APTA.

10:00 am – 2:30 pm

SPOUSE/GUEST TOUR

Walt Disney Concert Hall/ Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels

The new Walt Disney Concert Hall, designed by the renowned architect Frank Gehry, is the latest Los Angeles landmark, a quick two blocks from the Bonaventure Hotel. Nearby is the new Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. This tour will include both of these prominent examples of the new Los Angeles skyline, with lunch in the plaza of the Cathedral.

Transportation: At 10:00 a.m. tour participants will travel from the Bonaventure Hotel by bus to the concert hall and cathedral. At the conclusion of the tour, participants will return to the hotel by bus.

Cost: $25 per person, includes lunch.

Advance Sign-Up Required: Please complete the Tour Sign-Up Form in the back of the program, or on APTA’s web site, www.apta.com, and return it to APTA with your payment by March 15.

10:30 am – 12:00 noon

Can Our Industry Demonstrate Diligence for Security?

Over the past several years, we have seen tremendous pressures to strengthen security within commuter rail systems. The Madrid bombings emphasized the vulnerability of public transportation and in May, 2004 security directives issued by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration placed a new unfunded mandate on commuter rail and rail transit systems. A significant effort has been exerted to enhance commuter rail security, but can our industry demonstrate that it has been sufficiently diligent?

Be sure to attend this lively session to hear industry and government officials discuss security efforts that have been implemented as well as government’s interest in monitoring our industry.

Moderator: Anna M. Barry, Chair, APTA Commuter Rail Committee; Chair, APTA Commuter Rail CEOs Subcommittee, and Director of Railroad Operations, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, Boston, MA

Panelists: David A. Snyder, Superintendent, Railroad Services, Safety and Security, Virginia Railway Express (VRE), Alexandria, VA

Additional panelists to be announced.

10:30 am – 12:00 noon

Commuter Rail Fare Collection Issues

This session will provide an opportunity to explore different fare policies and structures around the nation, as well as how fares and enforcement issues are managed.

Moderator: Joseph Alexander, Director, Rail Transit, Washington Group International, Inc., Washington, DC

Panelists: Chuck Harvey, Chief Operating Officer, Caltrain (Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board), San Carlos, CA

Additional panelists to be announced.

10:30 am – 12:00 noon

Technology: Hot Vehicle Topics

This session will explore several of the latest developments affecting vehicles utilized in commuter rail service. Individuals associated with new starts will gain insight into how other agencies have tacked issues ranging from establishing a fleet of vehicles cost effectively, to learning about effective strategies for operation over shared-use corridors. Guidance on selecting fleet types will be offered, and for the seasoned vehicle engineer, a glimpse into the future of commuter rail vehicles will be provided.

Moderator: Frank Banko, Manager-Systems Engineering Division, PB Transit & Rail Systems, Inc., Newark, NJ

Panelists:

Paul W. Price, Senior Associate, Booz Allen Hamilton, Los Angeles, CA

Paul Larouche, Director, Product Planning, Bombardier Transportation, Saint-Bruno, QC

John D. Swanson, Vehicle Engineering Manager, PB Transit & Rail Systems, Inc., Phoenix, AZ

Representative from Regional Transportation Authority, Nashville, TN

12:00 noon – 1:30 pm

Intercity Corridor Development Committee
Joseph S. Silien, Chair

1:30 – 3:00 pm

"Best Practices" Poster Session

The Fourth Annual Best Practices Poster Session is modeled after sessions popular with professional societies and the Transportation Research Board. This is an opportunity for our presenters to showcase their systems or present the results of their work in an informal, interactive session. Top off your lunch with dessert, wander from presenter to presenter, or stay and discuss the material as long as you like. You’ll see on display a fascinating cross section of our industry, from technology advances to innovative marketing techniques to insights into transit agency success stories, all shown in an easy-to-read "Poster" format.

1:30 – 3:00 pm

Joint Intercity Regional Corridors

Throughout the U.S., states and metropolitan areas are working together on plans and programs to improve regional and intercity passenger rail corridors. This session will focus on some of these efforts and challenges they are facing and the prospects for significant incremental improvements to key corridors in North America. The lack of a recognizable funding source at the federal level is in direct contrast to the intensity of the need for mobility options.

1:30 – 3:00 pm

Multimodal Transit Standards -- A Change in the Industry

Finally, standards are becoming an even more valuable transit industry management tool—for vehicle and track maintenance, ITS and all procurement. Commuter rail kicked off the APTA journey along this track with the development of equipment standards. Now, with other transit modes on-line, APTA is a key player in creating an infrastructure to build standards for the industry. Significant progress has been made creating hundreds of standards for all public transportation modes. Operators and suppliers now are using these standards to improve the operations and safety of service, facilities and vehicles. Hundreds of expert volunteers serving on numerous APTA technical committees have developed standards for bus, rail transit and commuter rail operations, maintenance, procurement and ITS. These consensus-based standards directly impact the day-to day management, operations and safety of your organizations.

At this session industry leaders will share information on the standards program and discuss how they are changing the way we do business. You will learn how standards will impact the industry, your operations and your ability to procure new equipment.

Moderator: Tom Prendergast, Vice Chair, APTA Standards Development and Oversight Council, and President, PB Transit & Rail Systems, Inc., Newark, NJ

1:30 – 3:00 pm

Outsourcing: Case Studies (or "Service Contracting: What Drives You Crazy?")

This session will take a look at key drivers for public agencies as well as vendors, including issues such as insurance, incumbency, etc.

Moderator: Charles H. Banks, President, R. L. Banks & Associates, Inc., Washington, DC

TUESDAY, APRIL 5

7:30 – 8:30 am

Continental Breakfast

Sponsored by Parsons Brinckerhoff.

7:30 am– 1:00 pm

• APTA Registration Desk
• Host Information Desk

8:00 am – 1:00 pm

• Moderator/Speakers Room
• A/V Preview Room
• TCRP/NTI Information Center

8:30 – 10:00 am

"Dude, Where’s My Train?"

This session will focus on innovative and successful approaches to communication of train status and other information requirements.

8:30 – 10:00 am

California Rail Services

California provides a unique laboratory in the design and implementation of commuter rail services, with four commuter rail agencies operating in unique ways, and with unique relationships with Amtrak and freight railroads. This session will compare and contrast these methods of providing commuter rail services.

Moderator:

Eugene K. Skoropowski, Managing Director, Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority, Oakland, CA

Panelists:

Stephen McEvoy, Vice President, Rail Operations, SYSTRA Consulting, Inc./SYSTRA Engineering, Inc., Chadds Ford, PA

Karen King, Executive Director, North County Transit District (Coaster), Oceanside, CA

8:30 – 10:00 am

Media Training

This session will provide hands-on media training for commuter rail professionals and policy makers. This is a reprise of a session offered at previous Commuter Rail conferences.

Moderator:

Francisco Oaxaca, Manager, Media & External Communications, Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink), Los Angeles, CA

8:30 – 10:00 am

What’s Up in Washington?

With TEA 21 reauthorization at the top of the transportation agenda, new legislative strategies and policy ideas continue to emerge. In addition, new approaches and players continue to appear on other transportation issues including appropriations, high speed rail, Amtrak, clean air, and railroad security issues. This session features the insights and perspectives of Congressional staff members and other key insiders on an array of issues important to public transportation. We will also hear how the Public Transportation Partnership for Tomorrow, (PT)2, program has provided the wherewithal for APTA to deliver its message.

Moderator: Richard J. Bacigalupo, Vice Chair–Government Affairs, APTA, and Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Orange County Transportation Authority, Orange, CA

Panelists: David L. Turney, Vice Chair–Marketing, APTA, and Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer, RTI, Inc; a dri Company, Dallas, TX

Congressional staff members and other Washington insiders to be announced.

10:30 am – 12:00 noon

Contracting Out: The International Experience

This session will illustrate some examples of contracting out beyond our borders, to illustrate some positives, negatives, and lessons learned.

Moderator: Stanley G. Fiensod, Vice President, Rail Development, Connex North America, Inc., San Francisco, CA

10:30 am – 12:00 noon

Planning for DMU Systems (Or "To DMU or Not To DMU")

This session will focus on the issues involved in determining best fit for rolling stock in rail projects, focusing particularly on the emerging interest in DMU technology.

10:30 am – 12:00 noon

Workforce Development

Perhaps the best way to understand the challenges facing the future of the commuter rail workforce is to talk with those in the industry now. In today’s rail workforce, there is an ever-increasing demand for jobs in railroad operations. Advertisements seeking qualified workers in areas like locomotive engineers or conductors, road electricians, and signal workers are quite common. But our workforce is changing. Technology is exploding. We are more global. We are more diverse. And skills are in demand. The vast majority of current and future jobs will demand workers who have acquired knowledge and skills via two-year colleges, vocational training, on-the-job training and real work experience. The challenge facing commuter rail operations, in particular new starts, is to train and equip workers to meet the demand for employment in all fields. We don’t have a worker shortage. We have a skills shortage. This session will provide information on the educational opportunities railroad operations offer to increase and improve your transportation workforce.

12:30 – 2:00 pm

CLOSING GENERAL SESSION & LUNCHEON

Evolution of the Commuter Rail Industry

This session will provide an overview and perspective on the changes that have swept through the United States’ commuter rail industry, including comments on the nature of commuter rail operations, policy directions and forces of change that have moved commuter railways over the past decade-plus. Hear lessons learned and issues yet to be addressed.

Moderator:

William C. Vantuono, Editor, RAILWAY AGE, New York, NY

2:15 – 4:00 pm

Commuter Rail Conference Planning Subcommittee

Chair, Steven Wylie