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FTA Administrator, Peter M. Rogoff, spoke to an audience of over 1000 attendees of the 2009 American Public Transportation Association (APTA) annual meeting held October 4th through 7th. In his remarks, he noted that, "it's time to lean forward," to take a more central role in U.S. transportation, "we are all in the same lifeboat - highways and transit together." One of the major highlights of the conference was the number of new jobs created as a result of the Economic Recovery Act (see award presentation below related to 252,000 jobs created) and the overall goal of pursuing excellence in public transportation. Administrator Rogoff attended several committee meetings (refer to list below), presented and received recognition awards, and introduced the keynote speaker, Secretary LaHood.
- Committee Meetings attended:
- Financial Management
- Bus & Paratransit CEOs Committee
- Transit Board Members Committee
- Business Member Board of Governors
- Access Committee
- Rail Transit Committee
- Administrator Rogoff introduced Secretary LaHood for the keynote address of the meeting. Read Secretary LaHood's speech.
- The Administrator presented the "FTA Outstanding Achievement Award for Excellence in Environmental Document Preparation" to:
- Kelli Fairless – Valley Regional Transit, Boise, ID
- Robert Post – URS Corporation, Portland, OR
- Steve Salin – Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Dallas, TX
- Rod Kelly – Parsons Transportation Group
- Secretary LaHood and Administrator Rogoff were recognized for their efforts in directing American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) investments in public transportation that created 252,000 jobs. The figures used at this presentation are from a recent study on Job Impacts of Spending on Public Transportation: an Update. The award--a golden shovel--indicates the success of "shovel ready" projects under construction in the transit industry.
- Administrator Rogoff's remarks were well received at the October 6th General Session--highlighting the progress made and the challenges that lie ahead within the public transportation sector for both FTA and the industry. He noted that transit safety, the state of Good Repair, and New Starts streamlining issues are high priorities on the Agency's agenda. Read the Administrator's remarks.
 During his remarks, Administrator Rogoff announced the the launch of the new Bus Safety and Security website which was designed to help rural and small urban transit providers develop and carry out effective safety, security, and emergency preparedness programs. The website encourages use of the FTA Roadmap to Excellence noted in the image to the right.
- At the Awards Luncheon, the following groups and managers were honored:
- Innovation Award - Utah Transit Authority, Salt Lake City, UT
- Hall of Fame Award - Bernard J. Ford
- Outstanding Business Executive of the Year Award - Tim Solo, Chairman and CEO, Cummins, Inc., Columbus, IN
- Outstanding Public Transportation Business Member - Delon Hampton, Chairman, Delon Hampton & Associates, Washington DC
- Outstanding Public Transportation Manager - John Catoe Jr., General Manager, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Washington DC
- Outstanding Public Transportation Board Member
- David M. Stackrow, Board Member, Capital District Transportation Authority, Albany, NY
- Seattle Mayor Gregory J. Nickels, Chair, Sound Transit, Seattle, WA
- Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Awards
- More Than One Million, Fewer Than Four Million Passenger Trips Annually - Greater Lynchburg Transit Company, Lynchburg, VA
- More Than Four Million, Fewer Than 30 Million Passenger Trips Annually - Intercity Transit, Olympia, WA
- More Than 30 Million Passenger Trips Annually - San Diego Metropolitan Transit System, San Diego, CA
- View the entire APTA Annual Meeting Agenda.
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