Banta, Grabauskas named to international public transit board

Stephen Banta and Daniel Grabauskas, heads of Valley Metro and the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, respectively, were selected to represent the United States and North America on the policy board of the International Association of Public Transport (UITP).

Both leaders will serve on the board for the 2015-17 term, officials from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) said in a press release.

APTA President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Melaniphy said the two will be "outstanding representatives" of the association and the public transit industry as a whole.

"This is an excellent opportunity to learn and share ideas with public transit peers around the world to advance public transportation," Melaniphy said.    

The UITP comprises public transportation authorities and operators, policy and decision  makers, scientific institutes, businesses and suppliers, APTA officials said.