North American Rail Transit Leaders Meet in Miami -- APTA Convenes Rail Transit Conference--June 7-9

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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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.