The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) is a nonprofit group of approximately 1,500 public and private sector member organizations that promotes and advocates for the interests of the public transportation industry in the United States.
American Public Transportation Association
Founded
1882 (1882) (as the American Street Railway Association)[1]
American Street Railway Association (1882 - 1905) American Street and Interurban Railway Association (1905 - 1910) American Electric Railway Association (1910 - 1932) American Transit Association (1932 - 1974) American Public Transit Association (1974 - 2000) due to the merger of American Transit Association and Institute for Rapid Transit in 1974[2]
APTA represents all modes of public transportation, including bus, paratransit, light rail, commuter rail, subways, waterborne services, and intercity and high-speed passenger rail. More than 90 percent of the people using public transportation in the United States ride on APTA member systems.
APTA's membership consists of more than 320 public transit agencies, including New York MTA, the nation's largest transit system, as well as transportation-related businesses and organizations. Members are engaged in every aspect of the industry – from planning, designing, financing, constructing and operating transit systems to the research, development, manufacturing and maintenance of vehicles, equipment and transit-related products and services. Additionally, academic institutions, transportation network companies, transit associations and state departments of transportation are APTA members.
Paul Skoutelas was elected by the APTA Board of Directors in November 2017[3] and became president and chief executive officer in January 2018. He has spent more than 40 years in public and private sector positions related to public transportation. He served as CEO of public transit systems in Pittsburgh and Orlando and as senior vice president for WSP USA, one of the world's largest architectural and engineering firms. Skoutelas has also held leadership positions on numerous boards and committees for transportation organizations, including on APTA's Board of Directors and Executive Committee, the Transportation Research Board, National Transit Institute, Pennsylvania Transportation Institute, and the Transit Cooperative Research Program.
APTA's Board of Directors is the 112-member governing body of the association. The individuals that preside on the APTA Board of Directors are elected and appointed by APTA members to oversee the management of the association. Elections are held each fall during APTA's annual business meeting, and nominations typically open in June of each year.
APTA's Executive Committee is composed of 25 individuals who are elected by APTA members to make recommendations to the Board of Directors and to make decisions on behalf of the Board on specific matters.
ActivitiesEdit
Advocating for increased federal funding as well as on policy, legislative and regulatory issues is one of APTA's most important functions. The association supports investment in public transportation infrastructure that models smart growth and creates jobs, produces safe, efficient transportation, reduces congestion and pollution, connects people to jobs, and provides access to opportunities such as health care, education, social services and commerce. In 2015, APTA played a key role in the passage of the FAST Act, which provided predictable and reliable multi-year funding for public transportation and passenger rail programs over five years (2016-2020). The association also maintains a 220,000-member grassroots advocacy effort called "Voices for Public Transit."
Since 1943, APTA has been publishing its annual Public Transportation Fact Book (formerly known as the Transit Fact Book), a compendium of industry facts and data.
APTA frequently works in partnership with The National Alliance for Public Transportation Advocates (NAPTA), Center for Transportation Excellence (CFTE), Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) and Transportation Research Board (TRB), all of which share a common goal of developing practical solutions to mobility challenges.
The association also maintains relationships and plans study missions with international public transportation groups, including the Canadian Urban Transit Association, UITP (Union Internationale des Transports Publics or International Association of Public Transport), and GIE Objectif Transport Public.
APTA's Policy Development and Research Program serves as the association's think tank, conducting original research through polling, surveys and in-depth studies and publishing reports on priorities issues for the industry.
APTA plans and organizes more than 14 conferences, workshops and seminars every year, the largest of which is the Annual Meeting. Every three years, the association holds an international exposition called APTA EXPO, the world's largest trade show for the public transportation industry. Annual events include the International Bus Roadeo and Conference, International Rail Rodeo and Conference, Legislative Conference, and safety and security awards in excellence. In 2018, the association held its first "The Future of Mobility Summit" to explore how changes in technology, business models and customer preferences are transforming the public transportation sector and creating opportunities for a variety of integrated mobility services.
Professional and workforce development are key APTA activities. Under the brand APTA-U, the association offers classroom and online education and training programs for senior executives, emerging leaders and front-line managers. APTA-U is exploring credentialing and certifications to help prepare a high-skilled workforce.
APTA conducts peer reviews and safety audits to assist its members with critical challenges. The association also works with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Transportation Safety Board (TSB) to develop industry standards on a range of issues.
In addition to its Fact Book and research reports, APTA publishes a biweekly print and digital news magazine, called Passenger Transport as well as a biweekly electronic version called Passenger Transport Express.
HistoryEdit
The organization that would eventually become known as APTA was first established as the American Street Railway Association on December 12, 1882, in Boston, Massachusetts. The initial meetings focused on the price of oats for the horses that pulled transit vehicles, but that focus evolved as more transit companies built electric systems.
In 1905, the group met in New York and reorganized as the American Street and Interurban Railway Transportation and Traffic Association. To encompass even more modes of electric transit, the group changed its name to the American Electric Railway Transportation and Traffic Association in 1910. By 1932, many of the transit systems relied on motor coaches and trolleys in addition to electric streetcars, so the organization became known as the American Transit Association (ATA).
In 1966, ATA relocated from New York City to Washington, DC because of increasing reliance on federal funding, especially with the passage of the Urban Mass Transportation Act in 1964 and the creation of the Urban Mass Transportation Administration (now the Federal Transit Administration). In the 1970s, the organization developed a closer working relationship with the federal government as more and more transit systems became publicly financed. The American Public Transit Association (APTA) was created in 1974 when the American Transit Association and the Institute for Rapid Transit (IRT) merged. The IRT dated back to 1929 and formally organized on June 7, 1961. In 1976, the Transit Development Corporation also merged with APTA.
In January 2000. the name of the organization was changed to the American Public Transportation Association. Despite the various name changes, the mission of the organization has remained generally the same.
CommitteesEdit
APTA has more than 135 subject-matter committees and subcommittee that address issues of interest to the public transportation industry and develop strategies, solutions, policies and programs. The committee structure encourages interaction and information-sharing among APTA members in a wide range of disciplines.
Legislative CommitteeEdit
APTA's Legislative Committee is the primary body that develops consensus recommendations about federal legislative activity, including transit authorizations, annual appropriations, Administration initiatives and regulatory matters. Working with its seven subcommittees that specialize in related areas, the Legislative Committee formulates recommendations that are considered by the APTA Executive Committee and the APTA Board of Directors.
Where Public Transportation Goes, Community Grows CampaignEdit
APTA's advocacy, outreach and education campaign titled "Where Public Transportation Goes, Community Grows" was designed to promote benefits of public transportation by highlighting the industry's impact on economic development, sustainability and improving a higher quality of life in communities.[6]
See alsoEdit
Henry Clay Payne, railroad lobbyist and president of American Street Railway Association
B. R. Stokes, the first Executive Director of APTA, who served in that capacity from 1974 to 1980
ReferencesEdit
^(PDF). 2013 Public Transportation Fact Book. APTA. p. 45. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 28, 2013. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
^(PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 8, 2015. Retrieved December 6, 2014. p.46
^"APTA Board of Directors Selects Paul P. Skoutelas as APTA's President and CEO". Passenger Transport. APTA. November 17, 2017. from the original on June 3, 2019. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
^. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
^. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
^. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
External linksEdit
APTA website
APTA history of name changes
APTA website for transit advocacy
APTA Records 1898-1999
October 03, 2023
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and when to remove this template message The American Public Transportation Association APTA is a nonprofit group of approximately 1 500 public and private sector member organizations that promotes and advocates for the interests of the public transportation industry in the United States American PublicTransportation AssociationFounded1882 1882 as the American Street Railway Association 1 FocusPublic Transportation in North AmericaHeadquarters1300 I St NW Suite 1200 EastWashington D C U S Area servedNorth AmericaKey peoplePaul P Skoutelas President and CEOSubsidiariesAmerican Public Transportation FoundationWebsiteapta compublictransportation orgFormerly calledAmerican Street Railway Association 1882 1905 American Street and Interurban Railway Association 1905 1910 American Electric Railway Association 1910 1932 American Transit Association 1932 1974 American Public Transit Association 1974 2000 due to the merger of American Transit Association and Institute for Rapid Transit in 1974 2 APTA represents all modes of public transportation including bus paratransit light rail commuter rail subways waterborne services and intercity and high speed passenger rail More than 90 percent of the people using public transportation in the United States ride on APTA member systems APTA s membership consists of more than 320 public transit agencies including New York MTA the nation s largest transit system as well as transportation related businesses and organizations Members are engaged in every aspect of the industry from planning designing financing constructing and operating transit systems to the research development manufacturing and maintenance of vehicles equipment and transit related products and services Additionally academic institutions transportation network companies transit associations and state departments of transportation are APTA members Contents 1 Leadership and governance 2 Activities 3 History 4 Committees 4 1 Legislative Committee 4 2 Other Committees and Subcommittees 5 Campaigns 5 1 Where Public Transportation Goes Community Grows Campaign 6 See also 7 References 8 External linksLeadership and governance EditPaul Skoutelas was elected by the APTA Board of Directors in November 2017 3 and became president and chief executive officer in January 2018 He has spent more than 40 years in public and private sector positions related to public transportation He served as CEO of public transit systems in Pittsburgh and Orlando and as senior vice president for WSP USA one of the world s largest architectural and engineering firms Skoutelas has also held leadership positions on numerous boards and committees for transportation organizations including on APTA s Board of Directors and Executive Committee the Transportation Research Board National Transit Institute Pennsylvania Transportation Institute and the Transit Cooperative Research Program APTA s Board of Directors is the 112 member governing body of the association The individuals that preside on the APTA Board of Directors are elected and appointed by APTA members to oversee the management of the association Elections are held each fall during APTA s annual business meeting and nominations typically open in June of each year APTA s Executive Committee is composed of 25 individuals who are elected by APTA members to make recommendations to the Board of Directors and to make decisions on behalf of the Board on specific matters Activities EditAdvocating for increased federal funding as well as on policy legislative and regulatory issues is one of APTA s most important functions The association supports investment in public transportation infrastructure that models smart growth and creates jobs produces safe efficient transportation reduces congestion and pollution connects people to jobs and provides access to opportunities such as health care education social services and commerce In 2015 APTA played a key role in the passage of the FAST Act which provided predictable and reliable multi year funding for public transportation and passenger rail programs over five years 2016 2020 The association also maintains a 220 000 member grassroots advocacy effort called Voices for Public Transit Since 1943 APTA has been publishing its annual Public Transportation Fact Book formerly known as the Transit Fact Book a compendium of industry facts and data APTA frequently works in partnership with The National Alliance for Public Transportation Advocates NAPTA Center for Transportation Excellence CFTE Transit Cooperative Research Program TCRP and Transportation Research Board TRB all of which share a common goal of developing practical solutions to mobility challenges The association also maintains relationships and plans study missions with international public transportation groups including the Canadian Urban Transit Association UITP Union Internationale des Transports Publics or International Association of Public Transport and GIE Objectif Transport Public APTA s Policy Development and Research Program serves as the association s think tank conducting original research through polling surveys and in depth studies and publishing reports on priorities issues for the industry APTA plans and organizes more than 14 conferences workshops and seminars every year the largest of which is the Annual Meeting Every three years the association holds an international exposition called APTA EXPO the world s largest trade show for the public transportation industry Annual events include the International Bus Roadeo and Conference International Rail Rodeo and Conference Legislative Conference and safety and security awards in excellence In 2018 the association held its first The Future of Mobility Summit to explore how changes in technology business models and customer preferences are transforming the public transportation sector and creating opportunities for a variety of integrated mobility services Professional and workforce development are key APTA activities Under the brand APTA U the association offers classroom and online education and training programs for senior executives emerging leaders and front line managers APTA U is exploring credentialing and certifications to help prepare a high skilled workforce APTA conducts peer reviews and safety audits to assist its members with critical challenges The association also works with the Federal Transit Administration FTA Federal Railroad Administration FRA and Transportation Safety Board TSB to develop industry standards on a range of issues In addition to its Fact Book and research reports APTA publishes a biweekly print and digital news magazine called Passenger Transport as well as a biweekly electronic version called Passenger Transport Express History EditThe organization that would eventually become known as APTA was first established as the American Street Railway Association on December 12 1882 in Boston Massachusetts The initial meetings focused on the price of oats for the horses that pulled transit vehicles but that focus evolved as more transit companies built electric systems In 1905 the group met in New York and reorganized as the American Street and Interurban Railway Transportation and Traffic Association To encompass even more modes of electric transit the group changed its name to the American Electric Railway Transportation and Traffic Association in 1910 By 1932 many of the transit systems relied on motor coaches and trolleys in addition to electric streetcars so the organization became known as the American Transit Association ATA In 1966 ATA relocated from New York City to Washington DC because of increasing reliance on federal funding especially with the passage of the Urban Mass Transportation Act in 1964 and the creation of the Urban Mass Transportation Administration now the Federal Transit Administration In the 1970s the organization developed a closer working relationship with the federal government as more and more transit systems became publicly financed The American Public Transit Association APTA was created in 1974 when the American Transit Association and the Institute for Rapid Transit IRT merged The IRT dated back to 1929 and formally organized on June 7 1961 In 1976 the Transit Development Corporation also merged with APTA In January 2000 the name of the organization was changed to the American Public Transportation Association Despite the various name changes the mission of the organization has remained generally the same Committees EditAPTA has more than 135 subject matter committees and subcommittee that address issues of interest to the public transportation industry and develop strategies solutions policies and programs The committee structure encourages interaction and information sharing among APTA members in a wide range of disciplines Legislative Committee Edit APTA s Legislative Committee is the primary body that develops consensus recommendations about federal legislative activity including transit authorizations annual appropriations Administration initiatives and regulatory matters Working with its seven subcommittees that specialize in related areas the Legislative Committee formulates recommendations that are considered by the APTA Executive Committee and the APTA Board of Directors Other Committees and Subcommittees Edit Bus amp Paratransit Operations Commuter amp Intercity Rail Commuter Rail Committee 4 High Speed amp Intercity Passenger Rail Committee Government Affairs Planning Policy and Program Development Steering Committee Environmental Justice Title VI Subcommittee Management amp Finance Marketing amp Communications Policy Sustainability Committee 5 Rail Transit Research amp Technology Small Operations State Affairs Transit Board MembersCampaigns EditWhere Public Transportation Goes Community Grows Campaign Edit APTA s advocacy outreach and education campaign titled Where Public Transportation Goes Community Grows was designed to promote benefits of public transportation by highlighting the industry s impact on economic development sustainability and improving a higher quality of life in communities 6 See also EditHenry Clay Payne railroad lobbyist and president of American Street Railway Association B R Stokes the first Executive Director of APTA who served in that capacity from 1974 to 1980References Edit APTA Association History PDF 2013 Public Transportation Fact Book APTA p 45 Archived from the original PDF on December 28 2013 Retrieved November 20 2013 2013 Public Transportation Fact Book PDF Archived from the original PDF on February 8 2015 Retrieved December 6 2014 p 46 APTA Board of Directors Selects Paul P Skoutelas as APTA s President and CEO Passenger Transport APTA November 17 2017 Archived from the original on June 3 2019 Retrieved June 3 2019 Communter Rail Committee Archived from the original on June 12 2018 Retrieved June 7 2018 Sustainability Committee Archived from the original on June 12 2018 Retrieved June 7 2018 Where Public Transportation Goes Community Grows Campaign Archived from the original on June 12 2018 Retrieved June 7 2018 External links EditAPTA website APTA history of name changes APTA website for transit advocacy APTA Records 1898 1999 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title American Public Transportation Association amp oldid 1156045120, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
