APTA's rail conference highlighted growth, technology and funding issues

At the conference's official opening General Session, Phoenix Mayor Greg talked about growing up in the city and using transit. As mayor, he said he has been a "huge supporter" of transit and passenger rail. The "great cities of the future" will need to support as many transportation options as possible — with rail being a "critical component" of those options.
Photo Credit: Julie Sneider

U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego told the first General Session audience that as a member of Congress, he is "committed to fighting for more federal dollars for mass transportation." Gallego described growing up in Chicago, where he regularly used the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) to get to school, work and a "world beyond my neighborhood." He noted that a majority of voters who last year approved Phoenix's $8 billion referendum to fund transportation programs were Republicans. "Transportation infrastructure funding is a bipartisan issue," said Gallego. "I only wish Congress would see it that way."
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Valley Metro Interim Chief Executive Officer, a businessman and former mayor of Mesa, Ariz., told the General Session audience how light-rail has transformed the Phoenix since Valley Metro its service on a cold day in December 2008. At 20 miles, it was the longest first starter line in U.S. history, he said. Passenger-rail changes people's lives and neighborhoods in ways they didn't know possible, said Smith. "Once they experience light rail, they find they like it."
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In the APTA Rail Showcase, Jack Andruszkiewicz demonstrated some of Axis Communications Inc.'s products, which include video surveillance systems.
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About 80 exhibitors were on hand to show and discuss the latest ways their companies' products and services are being used in the industry. ProTran Technology was among the exhibitors.
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The exhibit hall was a busy place for APTA members to interact with Showcase exhibitors
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The Showcase was open for two hours on June 19 and three hours on June 20
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Progressive Railroading was among the Showcase exhibitors.
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Acting Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Administrator Carolyn Flowers represented the U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) senior leadership team during the General Session on June 20 in the afternoon. Flowers talked about how the department is preparing to meet challenges, such as the nation's aging infrastructure; growing demand for transit service; investing in workforce development and new technology; and the FTA's new safety role.
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After her opening remarks, Flowers took questions from the audience in a discussion moderated by Paul Jablonski (left), chief executive officer of the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System.
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Among the conference sessions was a panel discussion of rolling stock and the new technologies available to help keep it in a state of good repair. At the podium is Keith Abate Sr., director of business development at Perpetuum Ltd.
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Valley Metro offered APTA Rail Conference attendees a tour of the agency's Operations and Maintenance Center. The OMC is the hub of the agency's rail vehicle and systems maintenance. The facility has the capacity for heavy repair and overhaul work, as well as routine maintenance.
Photo Credit: Valley Metro