APTA Convenes Rail Transit Conference--June 7-9
MEDIA ADVISORY
June 1, 2004
For Immediate Release
Contacts: Virginia Miller (202) 496-4816 vmiller@apta.com or Donna Aggazio
(202) 496-4884 daggazio@apta.com.
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More than 800 members of the American Public Transportation
Association (APTA), representing rail transit systems, manufacturers,
and suppliers, will meet in Miami, Florida, on Monday, June 7, through
Wednesday, June 9, to focus on all aspects of the North American rail transit
industry. Topics include an update on the reauthorization of the Transportation
Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA 21); securing local dedicated sources
of funding; development of emergency preparedness plans for rail systems;
the latest on federal support for transit major capital investments; how to
pass successful local referendums; and promoting shared rail corridors in
the U.S. Local hosts for the conference are Miami-Dade Transit and
the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority.
The conference also features three separate technical tours of Miami area's rail transit operations and facilities, and an extensive products and services
showcase. The Twelfth Annual APTA International Rail Rodeo will be
held prior to the opening of the conference on Saturday, June 5 at Miami-Dade
Transit's William Lehman Center. Teams from 16 transit systems are competing
for the honors which recognize the men and women who keep North America's
rail transit systems operating safely and efficiently. Rodeo competition winners
will be announced at Monday's opening session at 8:30 a.m.
Highlights of this year's Rail Transit Conference being held at the Radisson
Hotel in Miami, include:
Federal Transit Administration Deputy Administrator Robert Jamison
addresses APTA's membership on the complexity of FTA's rail transit new
starts approval process. Monday, June 7, 8:30 a.m.
A forum on the status of the Reauthorization of the Transportation
Equity Act for the 21st Century or TEA 21, the federal legislation which
funds public transportation. Monday, June 7, 10:30 a.m.
A forum on local strategies to create and solicit community input to secure
a dedicated source of funding for public transportation in Miami. Miami-Dade
Commissioner Bruno A. Barreiro moderates the session. Monday, June
7, 1:30 p.m.
A session about how transit systems handled the major power blackout that
impacted the northeastern U.S. and Canada in August 2003. Monday, June
7, 1:30 p.m.
Transit industry leaders report on how their major capital projects are
proceeding in the major investment planning process, and which aspects of
the process were successful. Tuesday, June 8, 8:30 a.m.
A review of how successful rail transit initiatives were passed in communities
with insights into what makes a successful referendum and what it means
for the financial viability of the rail transit project. Tuesday, June
8, 10:30 a.m.
Transit systems report on safety and security strategies to manage major
events such as political conventions, demonstrations and sporting events.
Wednesday, June 9, 10:30 a.m.
Complimentary credentials are available to working members of the news media
who are actively covering conference activities. Members of the media may
register on-site. For more information or to register in advance, contact
Donna Aggazio at (202) 496-4884 or daggazio@apta.com.
APTA's rail transit members are responsible for 3.4 billion trips taken on
America's commuter, light and heavy rail trains each year.
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APTA is a nonprofit international association of more
than 1,500 member organizations including public transportation systems; planning,
design, construction and finance firms; product and service providers; academic
institutions, and state associations and departments of transportation. APTA
members serve the public interest by providing safe, efficient and economical
public transportation services and products. Over ninety percent of persons
using public transportation in the United States and Canada are served by
APTA members.
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