Some conference events are highlighted below.

For a complete listing of sessions, visit: www.apta.com

Sunday, May 3

Opening General Session – Quality Transit - -Now

President’s Welcome:

• William W. Millar, president, APTA

Presiding:

• Beverly A. Scott, Ph. D., chair, APTA, and general manager, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, Atlanta, GA

Welcomes:

• Ron Sims, King County executive and board member, Sound Transit, King County Executives Office, Seattle, WA
• Kevin Desmond, general manager, King County Metro Transit, Seattle, WA

Presentation of the 2009 Bus Safety Awards:

• Joyce Eleanor,vice chair-bus & paratransit operation, APTA and chief executive officer, Community Transit, Snohomish County, WA

Monday, May 4

General Forum: When the Going Gets Tough…

This session uses humor to rise above the adversities we face in our industry today for a better tomorrow. Participants will learn how to overcome obstacles by turning negative situations into positive opportunities. Experience how positive outlooks can bring positive outcomes. Presented by five-time American Comedy Award winning comedian Kathy Buckley, this session will teach you about perception, optimism, and hope at the same time.

Workforce Development: Successful planning for the 21st Century –Transit Takes the Lead

APTA Blue Ribbon Panel on Workforce Development – plans, industry tools, and resources to advance the industry.

Bus Display

Fixed-route, BRT, and paratransit vehicles will be on display for inspection at IMPark lots 16 & 17 (2107 7th Avenue, a five block walk from the Sheraton Seattle). Manufacturers’ representatives will be on hand to discuss products and answer questions.

Federal Transit Administration Ridership Awards

Presented by FTA executive leadership these awards recognize transit providers who utilized fresh approaches to boost their ridership with initiatives implemented between 2006 and 2007.

Mitigation Strategies for a Volatile Economy

Learn what transit systems are doing to mitigate the effects of a downturn economy. Discussions will include revenue forecasting challenges and its affect on operational planning, raising fares and losing ridership, and managing sales tax and other revenue sources in a down economy.

Building Sustainable Communities with Partnerships

Developing strong partnerships with the community planning entities is essential for achieving results. This session will focus on community based planning and partnerships to overcome barriers and make transit and land use linkages that achieve greater access and transit use by pedestrian, bike, and the elderly users.

Tuesday, May 5

Host Forum: Sustainability & Transit: King County Metro Transit’s Effort to Create a Sustainable Transportation System

Join Kevin Desmond, general manager, King County Metro Transit and other special guests to discuss how King County Metro is working to create a sustainable transportation system – one that pollutes less, consumes less imported fossil fuels, and efficiently serves the mobility needs of a growing population.

Bus Products & Services Showcase

See the latest state-of-the-art technologies, vehicles, and parts transforming the bus and paratransit industry.

Technical Tours (Sign up at APTA Registration)

• Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel and Transit Communications & Control
  Center Tour
• ACCESS Transportation Control Center Tour
• Community Transit BRT Line Tour

Workforce Development: Operator Focus: Education, Availability, and Communication

This session looks at agency and provider insights on high-quality operator training programs and driver best-practices. Reduce absenteeism with innovative employee availability improvement models and programs.

Regulatory Issues in the New Administration

An update on the issues affecting our industry, this session will examine the status of recently enacted as well as pending U.S. DOT and other agency regulations that impact bus operations.

Wednesday May 6

Measuring Success When Making a Commitment to Sustainability

APTA Sustainability Commitment signatories present examples and practices that will work for transit systems, along with ways to determine the success of these practices. This session focuses on the methodologies and tools that help bus transit measure their environmental footprint, conserve energy, and become a more sustainable and cost-effective organization.

The Cost of Doing Business

Hear from the supplier’s side what is involved in responding to a request from a property and the cost associated with it. Also hear from the property side why the various proposal requirements are in place.