Public transportation industry experts from across the country will meet in Kansas City, MO
May 4-7, 2014 for the Bus & Paratransit Conference which will be held at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown and Kansas City Convention Center. Sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and hosted by the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, this conference will focus on policy and planning, maintenance, public transportation in today’s operating environment, technology, safety and security, procurement, bus rapid transit, and accessible transportation. A bus display and a bus and paratransit products and services showcase are also scheduled and are open to the media. (See below)
The 2014 International Bus Roadeo, which will be held on Sunday, May 4, at the Kemper Arena from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., highlights the best bus operators and bus maintenance teams in North America. Local bus roadeo competitions are held in North America to select the competitors in this prestigious competition. Additionally, the finals for the Customer Service Challenge will be held at the Convention Center on Monday, May 5, at 2:00 p.m. The winners for both the International Bus Roadeo and the Customer Service Challenge will be announced at an awards dinner on Tuesday, May 6, at the Convention Center from 7-9:30 p.m. A career job fair for military veterans will be held at the University of Phoenix Learning Center from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 pm on Wednesday, May 7. Prior to the job fair, free workshops on resume writing and interview tips will take place.
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What: International Bus Roadeo |
What: 2014 Bus & Paratransit Conference |
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Where: Kemper Arena 1600 Genessee Street |
Where: Kansas City Convention Center
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When: May 4, 2014
Time: 8 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
When: May 4-7, 2014
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*** Registration for the media is FREE! To pre-register, send an email to APTA Director-Media, Virginia Miller, at vmiller@apta.com and she will send you the media registration form. If you are registering onsite bring your media credentials. ***
Events: Some conference events are highlighted below. For a complete listing of sessions, visit: www.apta.com
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Sunday, May 4 4:30 – 6 p.m. Room 2103-ABC |
OPENING GENERAL SESSION: America’s Future is Riding on Public Transportation President & CEO Welcome: –Michael P. Melaniphy, president & CEO, APTA
Presiding: –Peter Varga, chair, APTA, and chief executive officer, Interurban Transit Partnership (The Rapid), Grand Rapids, MI
Host Welcomes: –Mark E. Huffer, member, APTA Board of Directors; and general manager, Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, Kansas City, MO
Bus Operator Long-Term Safety Records Recognition and 2014 Bus Safety & Security Excellence Awards Presentation: –Peter Varga, chair, APTA, and chief executive officer, Interurban Transit Partnership (The Rapid), Grand Rapids, MI |
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Monday, May 5 8:30 – 10 a.m. Lobby Level Room 2101 |
HOST FORUM: From Cow Town to Uptown Join the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority’s Host Forum to learn about how a once-sleepy Midwestern city has turned itself into one of the most revitalized cities in America. Moderator: –Mark E. Huffer, member, APTA Board of Directors; and general manager, Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, Kansas City, MO
Panelists: –Richard C. Jarrold, senior director of system development and engineering, Kansas City Area Transportation -Authority, Kansas City, MO –Peter Witte, dean, Conservatory of Music and Dance, University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), Kansas City, MO –Rachel Hack Merlo, community manager-Kansas City, Google, Kansas City, MO –David Johnson, co-founder, Streetcar Neighbors, Kansas City, MO –Bill Dietrich, president & CEO, Downtown Council of Kansas City, Kansas City, MO |
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10:30 – 12 p.m. Lobby Level Room 2103-ABC |
GENERAL SESSION: USDOT Update The Federal Transit Administration’s Chief Counsel, Dorval Carter, will lead a discussion and hold a Q&A on the Obama administration priorities, the president’s budget, and MAP-21. |
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11 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
Bus Display - Come for Interviews or Photos Different types of transit buses will be on display outside the main entrance of the Kansas City Convention Center on Central Avenue, between W. 12th & W. 13th Streets. Manufacturer representatives will be on hand to discuss their products and answer your questions. |
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2 – 3:30 p.m. Lobby Level Room 2104-B |
Real Time Information This is a field that continues to evolve as the increasing pace of technological innovation places greater capability to process information in our hands. Industry practitioners will bring you up to speed. |
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2 – 3:30 p.m. Lobby Level Room 2103-ABC |
Customer Service Challenge The industry’s best bus operators compete in a test of customer service skills at this exciting and entertaining event. Come see who walks away with the title of transit’s ‘top ambassador!’ |
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4 – 5:30 p.m. Lobby Level Room 2103-ABC |
GENERAL SESSION: Building Strong Towns – Overhauling the Way We Think about Transportation & Development Join this session to learn about how local governments can lead in understanding and better managing their finances — and the key role public transportation has in “new growth.”
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Tuesday, May 6 9 – 10:30 a.m. Lobby Level Room 2203 |
Accessibility – Best Practices and Hot Topics This session offers perspectives through research and case studies on new strategies for addressing the range of ADA complementary paratransit issues, including engaging customers on policies and practices to enhance the quality of services; developing a strategy guide to enable and promote the use of fixed-route services by people with disabilities; and a national view on research topics, including ADA paratransit; transportation for older adults; and non-emergency medical transportation. |
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9:45 – 10:45 a.m. Lobby Level Room 2105 |
Getting on the “MAP” – A MAP-21 Safety Requirements Review Hear from transit agency representatives who are proactively taking steps to ensure compliance with the forthcoming safety plan requirements that were put into motion by MAP-21, the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act. |
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10:30 – 2 p.m. 3rd Level Exhibit Hall A |
Bus Products & Services Showcase Many bus products and services will be showcased in the Kansas City Convention Center. Expert personnel are on hand to answer your questions as you inspect innovative bus equipment and services. |
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1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Lobby Level Room 2203 |
5th Annual Walk and Roll Wellness Event This event is hosted by the American Public Transportation Association, Easter Seals Project ACTION, and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority. The “Walk and Roll” will be kicked off with opening remarks from an array of speakers who advocate for healthy accessible public transportation. |
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2 – 3:30 p.m. Lobby Level Room 2102-A |
Bus Safety & Security Technology As the industry designs, evaluates, and incorporates new technology onboard buses and paratransit vehicles, the safety and security of employees, passengers, and users of the system remain among the key considerations. Hear lessons learned from the vendor & operator perspective. |
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4 – 5:30 p.m. Lobby Level Room 2104-B |
Millennials and Public Transportation This panel discussion will explore how public transportation should rethink its approach to accommodate the actions and attitudes of millennials.
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Wednesday, May 7 8:30 – 10 a.m. Lobby Level Room 2104-A
Employment Workshop 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m Veterans Job Fair 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. University of Phoenix Learning Center 1310 E. 104th Street Kansas City, MO |
Transit Agency & Community Transportation Partnerships Join this session to learn more about innovative partnerships and practices between transit agencies and community transportation services. The focus is on customer-oriented solutions and collaboration among nonprofits, public agency and private sector providers in communities large and small.
“Hiring Our Heroes” Veterans Job Fair |
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10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Lobby Level Room 2103-ABC |
CLOSING GENERAL SESSION: How Innovation is Changing Transportation: Our Increasingly Connected World Scott Belcher will describe innovations such as integrated payment systems, real-time multimodal navigation and trip planning, connected and semi-autonomous vehicles, smart parking and pay-as-you-drive insurance, mileage-based user fees, open data for public transit, and smarter cities overall.
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