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May 16, 2022 | An APTA Publication
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APTA Mobility Conference Returns to Applause and Gratitude
The start of APTA’s 2022 Mobility Conference kicked off three highly anticipated days of knowledgeable speakers and high-value discussions, plus an impressive bus display and products and services showcase. Sponsored by electric bus manufacturer Proterra, the opening general session energized more than 1,200 registrants representing bus service agencies and related businesses. View video highlights.
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2022 Legislative Advocacy Fly-In Is June 22
APTA will hold its 2022 Legislative Advocacy Fly-In June 22, with members having the option to join in person in Washington, DC, or participate virtually. The Fly-In is free to all APTA members.
Your voice is instrumental as Congress advances the FY23 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations bill and other critical legislation.
The program includes an exclusive advocacy day training on how to communicate APTA key initiatives with members of Congress and what to expect the day of the Fly-In; access to the AdvocacyDay platform for schedules and exclusive member information; talking points and toolkits for meetings; and guidance and support as you continue to build relationships with members of Congress after you return home.
Register here. For questions, contact Melissa Mejias, APTA senior legislative representative, government affairs and advocacy, at mmejias@apta.com.
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Veronica Vanterpool Named FTA Deputy Administrator
 FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez has announced the appointment of Veronica Vanterpool as deputy administrator. Vanterpool has served as senior advisor in the FTA Office of the Administrator since August 2021.
Prior to joining FTA, Vanterpool served as the first chief innovation officer at Delaware Transit Corporation, assuming that position after 15 years of transportation leadership roles in the New York metro region. She is the former deputy director of the national Vision Zero Network and executive director of the New York City-based Tri-State Transportation Campaign.
“Throughout her career, Veronica has been a stalwart advocate for public transportation and the riders who most depend on buses and rail for their economic livelihoods,” said Fernandez. “As deputy administrator, I know she will continue to pursue new initiatives and advance existing priorities at the FTA during this era of unprecedented funding made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This is an exciting and critical time for our industry.”
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Pace Welcomes Secretary Buttigieg to Multimodal Center
Officials from Pace Suburban Bus, Arlington Heights, IL, and the City of Joliet hosted USDOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Gov. JB Pritzker, Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL) and other dignitaries recently at Pace’s new transportation facility at the Joliet Gateway Center.
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SPONSORED CONTENT
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Clarke, WMATA
 The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Board of Directors, Washington, DC, has named Randy Clarke as the agency’s next general manager and CEO. He will succeed Paul J. Wiedefeld, who is retiring in June. Clarke is currently president and CEO of CapMetro in Austin, TX, where he helped secure approval of the multi-billion-dollar Project Connect transit expansion initiative. Prior to CapMetro, Clarke held a number of positions at APTA, including vice president for operations and member services. He also worked at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority for more than six years in several capacities. APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas said of Clarke, “In my opinion, WMATA has made a tremendous hire in Randy Clarke. He has been a fierce advocate for public transportation in Boston at MBTA, during his time here at APTA and for the past few years in Austin at CapMetro. Randy is an experienced leader and strategic thinker with an excellent grasp of industry best practices. His vision and leadership in Austin have been a steady hand during a time of unprecedented challenges and transformational change, and I am confident he is the right leader for WMATA at this pivotal moment.”
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COMMENTARY
Tackling the Public Transportation Labor Shortage
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 The success of public transportation in the U.S. is reliant on safe and reliable service made possible by the people we hire, train and nurture as employees. That’s why I want to share what we’re doing to recruit and retain talent amid various headwinds in today’s labor market. While some businesses or industries see difficultly amid the “great resignation,” we see this as an opportunity to get recruitment right and build a resilient workforce that can better meet tomorrow’s demands on public transportation. At Keolis, our ability to attract operators, mechanics, and other staff is a competitive advantage. But, if passengers elsewhere don’t have reliable or frequent enough service due to staffing issues, then riders are likely to lose confidence in transit and return to private travel. What’s good for the industry is good for every public transit system and every private operator.
BY DAVID SCOREY
President and CEO
Keolis North America
Boston, MA
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Take Part in TCRP Study
The Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) has commissioned Rutgers University and Foursquare ITP to conduct a study, Mental Health, Wellness, and Resilience for Transit System Workers (TCRP F-29). The objective of the study is to develop a toolkit of solutions to support and improve the health, wellbeing, retention/recruitment and overall resilience of frontline public transit workers.
Public transit agencies are being sought to participate in interviews for the study. Those interested should complete an interest form by May 31, 2022. Interviews and initial focus groups will take place August–September 2022.
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Public Transit Liability Benchmark Analysis
APTA is partnering with Aon’s Global Risk Management Consulting Group to produce a transit liability benchmark study that will be made available to all participating APTA members at no cost. Has your system taken part yet? The report is being designed with public transit system managers in mind, with the goal of enabling transit systems to develop strategies to reduce liability exposures. The deadline to provide data is May 30. For questions and to provide data, contact Polly Hanson, senior director, security, risk & emergency management, at phanson@apta.com.
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SPONSORED CONTENT
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RTC Fleet Using Alternative Fuels Decade Ahead of Schedule
The Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Washoe County, Reno, NV, announces that it is operating its fixed-route bus fleet with 100 percent alternative-fuel buses—13 years ahead of schedule.
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King County Launches Vanpool Program in Kent
King County Metro, Seattle, WA, has expanded its vanpool program to Kent, giving lower-income commuters an additional option for flexible, accessible and affordable transportation under a new pilot program.
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Energy Efficiency Global Forum 2022 Is June 15
The Alliance to Save Energy’s 15th annual EE Global Forum is June 15 in Washington, DC. The forum brings together world leaders in energy efficiency to discuss industry issues, identify emerging trends and connect with peers from around the globe. This year’s event will focus on the defining moments of energy efficiency—both celebrating the historical moments and seizing the present moment to ensure an equitable, reliable, and affordable clean energy transition. Learn more and register at eeglobalforum.org. APTA is a partner of EE Global.
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RTD Opens New Bike-n-Ride Shelters
The Regional Transportation District (RTD), Denver, CO, along with Commuting Solutions, the city and county of Broomfield and the city of Westminster, has opened new Bike-n-Ride shelters at two RTD stations.
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SANDAG Celebrates Landis Bikeway
SANDAG celebrated the grand opening of the Landis Bikeway at a recent event with local leaders, community members and bike advocates. The new bikeway provides a vital connection to walk and bike between North Park and City Heights in the City of San Diego.
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UPCOMING 2022 APTA CONFERENCES
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Rail Conference
June 5-8
San Diego, CA
July 30-Aug. 2
Salt Lake City, UT
Aug. 14-17
Denver, CO
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More in This Issue of Passenger Transport:
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Passenger Transport Wishes to Thank its Advertisers:
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