WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 5, 2021) – The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Board of Directors approved in April the association’s Racial Equity Action Plan, a product of APTA’s Diversity and Inclusion Council and Racial Equity Working Group. The Racial Equity Action Plan aims to create truly transformational change within the transit industry and support the planning and operations of public transportation services from a racial equity and mobility justice perspective through explicitly anti-racist policies and ideas. It is part of a broader effort to proactively create and maintain a diverse, inclusive and equitable environment within the association and across the industry.
“This action plan is a priority for APTA and is a part of APTA’s Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan and a widescale effort to ensure that social and racial justice are woven into our practices,” said Jeff Nelson, APTA Chair and General Manager, Rock Island County Metropolitan Mass Transit District (MetroLINK), Moline, IL. “For APTA members representing the transit industry from both the public and private sectors, this means making sure that transit is central to the protection and restoration of community; that we take this moment to transform underserved communities’ access to resources and opportunities; that everyone has a fair and just means of mobility; and that we engage with our workforce and our transit ridership in a way that is culturally sensitive, authentic and responsive.”
Adelee LeGrand, CEO, Hillsborough Area Transit Authority, Tampa, FL, and First Vice Chair of APTA’s Diversity and Inclusion Council, said, “APTA is showing bold leadership with the release of its Racial Equity Action Plan. The plan ensures that APTA and its members have the tools to implement and measure programs geared to addressing racial inequities.”
Freddie C. Fuller II, People & Places Solutions Geographic Sales Manager, Mid-Atlantic, Jacobs, APTA Secretary Treasurer, COMTO National Chair, said, “It is a fine time for APTA to take charge and lead the way with the development and implementation of its Racial Equity Action Plan. This plan is a continuation of APTA’s ability to be intentional about addressing racial inequities that have plagued our industry for far too long. APTA members will be armed with specific tools to address and resolve both internal and external racial equity challenges that we need to overcome as an industry.”
“It is imperative that APTA and the transit industry reassess our role and responsibility with regard to racial equity and acknowledge that we can and must do more,” said APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas. “As an association, this means supporting our members with tools to measure and recognize progress on racial equity, provide leadership in educational programming and resources, support workforce development from a racial equity perspective and leverage our advocacy tools and partnerships.”
As part of the ongoing Racial Equity Action Plan, APTA is supporting its members by launching tomorrow a monthly member-only webinar series, Kaleidoscope, to encourage “courageous conversations”, share best practices and support one another as they address and advance their efforts regarding systemic racial and social inequities.
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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 $74 billion industry that directly employs 435,000 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.
