Washington, D.C. (February 9, 2023) – The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has joined the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) in its efforts to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on America’s roads and streets through the National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS) initiative.

“Public transportation is inherently one of the safest modes of transportation, and our industry remains committed to doing our part to help make zero roadway fatalities a reality,” said APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas. “Safety is an overarching value that is embedded in everything we do in the public transportation sector. We care deeply about our people, our customers, and the communities we serve.”

According to an analysis issued by APTA and the Vision Zero Network, using public transit is 10 times safer than traveling by automobile, while using commuter and intercity railroads is 18 times safer.

APTA has several activities planned for 2023, including:

  • Articles in the online and print versions of Passenger Transport Magazine.
  • Sharing NRSS launch activities and other program updates on APTA’s website and social media channels.
  • Updating safety-related standards and recommended practices, including the Bus Operator Training Recommended Practice, and a Recommended Practice on Safety & Security Certification.
  • Hosting 12 Safety Spotlight Webinars as well as safety-related sessions on Operator Assaults, Safety Management Systems, and Battery Electric Bus Safety at APTA’s Mobility, Rail, and Annual Conferences, and at its Mid-year Safety and Risk Management Seminar.

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The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) is a nonprofit international association of 1,500 public- and private-sector organizations which represent a $80 billion industry that directly employs 450,000 people and supports millions of private sector jobs. APTA members are engaged in the areas of bus, paratransit, light rail, commuter rail, subways, waterborne services, and intercity and high-speed passenger rail. This includes transit systems; planning, design, construction, and finance firms; product and service providers; academic institutions; transit associations and state departments of transportation. APTA is the only association in North America that represents all modes of public transportation. APTA members serve the public interest by providing safe, efficient and economical transit services and products.                      

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