4:30 - 6:00 p.m.

Opening General Session – Public Transportation Takes Us There

President’s Welcome:
-William Millar, president, APTA

Presiding:
-Mattie P. “M.P.” Carter, chair, APTA, and commissioner, Memphis Area Transit Authority, Memphis, TN

Welcomes:
-George F. Dixon III, president, Board of Trustees, Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, Cleveland, OH
-Mayor Frank G. Jackson, mayor, City of Cleveland, OH
-Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones, president, Board of Cuyahoga County Commissioners, Cleveland, OH

Remarks
- Peter M. Rogoff, administrator, Federal Transit Administration, Washington, DC

Presentation of the 2010 Bus Safety Awards:
-Joyce Eleanor,vice chair-bus & paratransit operation, APTA and chief executive officer, Community Transit, Snohomish County, WA

Celebrating and Looking Beyond the 20^th Anniversary of the ADA
In July, America will celebrate the 20^th Anniversary of the American Disabilities Act of 1990. Come hear the perspectives of service providers, riders, advocates, and businesses on the gains thus far and the direction for the next 20 years.

Pandemic Risk Management
Outbreaks of the H1N1 flu virus demonstrated the importance of having a plan in place to respond to pandemics. This critical session will help you determine whether your agency is prepared to deal with an outbreak; help you provide a clear and concise plan of action; and give you useful tips to prevent your staff from getting sick.

Host Forum
The host forum will focus on two RTA success stories. Come and learn more about RTA’s HealthLine, one of the most “Rail-like” BRT systems in the nation, and RTA’s Downtown Trolleys. These services are both managed by Brand Management Teams and financially sponsored by area businesses.

Bus Display
Fixed-route, BRT, and paratransit vehicles will be on display for inspection at Mall B at Franz Pastorius Avenue. Manufacturers’ representatives will be on hand to discuss products and answer questions.

Webcast Session—Emergency Preparedness & Management…An “All Hazards” Approach
Hear best practices, experiences, and resources that will assist the transit industry to prepare and mange critical events.

Customer Service Challenge
Join us as the industry’s very best bus operators face-off in a contest to test their customer service skills at this exciting and entertaining event.

Sustainable Transit: Going Green, Going Beyond
This session focuses on transit systems integrating sustainability in their planning, construction, and operations. This session will delve into creative and cost saving innovations in sustainable practices.

Let’s Get Real – BRT Performance
Hear some industry best practices on how BRT systems are performing. What has been learned? What can be improved?

Telling Our Story
Communicating the benefits of public transportation and advocating for increased public transit investment is critical to advance the industry. We need to continue to find ways to tell our story in compelling and engaging ways. This session will highlight ideas and best practices, including using social media and testimonials, to tell the public transportation story.

Bus & Paratransit 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 the GCRTA Registration desk)
- METRO Intermodal Transit Center – Akron Ohio
- RTA HealthLine BRT Tour
- RTA Triskett District Bus Facility

Operating in the New Normal

While most transit systems are downsizing due to financial realities, some have developed strategies to minimize or avoid service cuts. Hear industry success stories on topics such as wage roll-backs, work rule changes, outsourced maintenance, inventory subcontracting, and fuel hedging that have helped to balance budgets.

Achieving Safety Excellence for the Transit Industry

This session explores ways for bus operations to move from good to great by getting people involved; leveraging technology; and implementing management practices that set the tone at the top to achieve improvement throughout the organization.