APTA officials study Canada's investment in transit infrastructure

A delegation of American Public Transportation Association (APTA) representatives visited four Canadian cities last month to learn how major investments in public transit infrastructure in those cities are structured, developed and financed.

APTA members participated in presentations, panel discussions and site visits with Canadian public transportation authorities, government officials and business leaders during the six-day mission, according to a report in APTA's Passenger Transport newsletter.

APTA Chair Nathaniel Ford Sr. and APTA President and Chief Executive Officer Paul Skoutelas led the 30-member mission to Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver. The Canadian Urban Transit Association supported and participated in the trip.

"Public transit in Canada is being modernized and transformed thanks to a federal investment in infrastructure that is leveraging provincial, local and private funds," said Skoutelas. "There are relevant lessons for us in the Canadian partnership models for governance, financing and procurement."