Latest Transit Security Enhancements on Display at EXPO 2005

World's Largest Public Transportation Expo Showcases New Transit Security Technologies; Funding Shortfalls Remain a Challenge Four Years after 9/11 Attacks

Contacts: Virginia Miller (202) 496-4816 vmiller@apta.com

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Four years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and two months after those on London's transit system, the public transportation community continues to lead the way in developing technologies that enhance the safety of transit systems in the United States and throughout world, and the upcoming American Public Transportation Association (APTA) International Public Transportation Expo (EXPO 2005) will offer a first-hand look at these innovations.

Set for September 26-28 at the Dallas Convention Center, EXPO 2005 is held in conjunction with the September 25-28 APTA Annual Meeting, and is expected to attract 17,000+ leaders from public transportation systems all over the world, as well as 750+ exhibits from manufacturers and suppliers of transit innovation - products, services and technologies designed to enhance passengers' experience, as well as enable transit systems to operate more efficiently. EXPO takes place just once every three years, which makes it a critical venue for national, local and trade reporters who cover homeland security and public transportation.

EXPO 2005 will feature a wealth of next generation security technology exhibits and educational sessions that reflect today's proliferation of transit security technologies. New software-enhanced surveillance systems continuously detect suspicious activities such as unattended items, rapid movements, sudden changes in light and sound, and different types of intrusions, and this information is automatically relayed to personnel in the operations control center. On-board Wi-Fi surveillance allows real-time images to be transmitted to police in the event of an emergency, and automatic vehicle location systems make it easy to track down transit vehicles in times of distress. Importantly, investments in security provide protection against all types of hazards, not just terrorist attacks.

"Public transportation has been a target for terrorists and other hazards for many years, so long before the 9/11 terrorist attacks, our industry has been developing the security technologies that are on display at EXPO 2005, reflecting how we have taken transit system security to a new level," said APTA president William W. Millar. "Even with these gains, local transit systems all over America continue to be challenged by shortfalls in federal funding to make our systems as secure as possible."

Although America's public transportation community has made significant strides in enhancing the security of transit systems, there is a continued need for the federal government to take responsibility for a greater share of transit security funding. Despite the fact that 32 million times a day people take public transportation - a figure that is 16 times more than travel on domestic airlines - the aviation industry has received $18.1 billion from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), while the public transportation industry has been allotted only $250 million from DHS from September 11, 2001 through May 31, 2005.

EXPO 2005 offers the opportunity for an in-depth look at how the public transportation industry is working to make systems more secure, and it only happens once every three years. Members of the media who are planning to cover EXPO 2005 can now pre-register for media credentials by downloading a registration application from the media section of www.ntpshow.com/shows/apta2005, or contacting Mary Ellen Menton at 202/289-2001 or mmenton@stratacomm.net. There is no cost for media to register for EXPO 2005 or the educational sessions at the APTA Annual Meeting.

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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.