A Glimpse to the Future of Public Transit

APTA TRANSform Conference and EXPO Heads to Orlando

Photos courtesy of APTA

APTA show was last held in 2017 when it attracted 15,000 attendees and 800 exhibitors. Originally planned for 2020, it was postponed and is now scheduled for November 7-10, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. This photo shows some of the crowd and exhibits at the 2017 event.

Thousands of leaders from around the world will come together this November in Orlando for the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) TRANSform Conference & EXPO to see the industry ’s latest innovations and technologies. Last held in 2017 with 15,000 attendees and more than 800 exhibitors from around the globe, this event plays a pivotal role in reconnecting the industry to what is now and what is next in public transportation.

From November 7-10, APTA’s TRANSform Conference and EXPO will offer the diverse public transportation industry the opportunity to showcase a wide-array of technologiesandpracticesthatcangreatlyenhance the passenger experience, streamline system management,improvesafetyandincreasesustainability. For manufacturers and suppliers, the event will be a one-stop shop to interact withtransitagencies,policymakers,regulators and customers to preview and explore future innovations. Attendees can register online for both EXPO and the TRANSform Conference at https://www.aptaexpo.com/ apta2021/ public/Content,aspx?ID=14993&sortMenu= 105000.

With millions of people relying on buses, trains and light rail to travel, public transportation is essential to economic recovery and keeping life moving in most U.S. cities and metropolitan areas. Prior to the pan-

demic, approximately nine out of 10 public transit trips directly impacted the economy, either providing job access or connecting people to retail and entertainment venues. The value of this industry has never been more evident, with some employers citing access to public transit as a key factor in determining new locations for their businesses.

“Our industry is extensive and complex; it brings together innovation and new technologies in ways that lead to advancing public transportation for the betterment of our nation, ” said T.J. Doyle, APTA’s vice president of communications and marketing. “As our nation begins to recover, public transportation will help drive economic growth, tackle climate change, advance equity issues and provide our growing communities sustainable mobility options. ”

With attendees and exhibitors from all aspects of the transit industry, EXPO offers a unique opportunity to stay ahead of the curve by allowing attendees and exhibitors to learn where the industry is (and is not) headed. From visibility to credibility, those exhibiting at EXPO, from large manufacturers such as New Flyer, NovaBus, BYD Motors and Proterra to new entrepreneurial businesses, will have a powerful platform to launch products, increase brand awareness, conduct competitive research and expand their professional network. In addition to the exhibit floor, APTA’s TRANSform Conference offers educational sessions and networking events exclusively for their attendees that expose participants to new people, new businesses and new ways of thinking.

Advances in technology change the way people move and interact with cities, and exciting innovations are bringing about safety improvements, increased operational improvements, autonomous vehicles and continuous exchanges of information. Many are unveiled at EXPO, and it will be exciting to see what new advances await attendees in Orlando this fall. For example, in 2017, there were several new mobile applications that demonstrated increasing efficiency in managing payments, tracking vehicle progress and requesting services, as well as software-enhanced surveillance systems with predictive analytics that could analyze and identify suspicious activities and automatically relay information to control centers to keep travelers safer.

The TRANSform Conference and EXPO is hosted by APTA, a non-profit with more than 1,500 public and private sector organizations. APTA is the only association in North America that represents all modes of public transportation, including bus, paratransit, light rail, commuter rail, subways, waterborne services and intercity and high-speed passenger rail. In addition, APTA members are engaged in every aspect of the industry – from planning, designing, financing, constructing and operating transit systems to the research, development, manufacturing and maintenance of vehicles, equipment and transit-related products and services. More than 90 percent of the people using public transportation in the United States and Canada ride APTA member systems.

After postponing the event in 2020, APTA moved the TRANSform Conference and EXPO to sunny Orlando, November 7-10, 2021. The decision was made based on Orlando’s success of hosting more than 50 events safely since March of 2021. APTA is continuously working with the Orange County Convention Center, the city of Orlando and hotel partners to provide every precaution necessary to ensure a safe and productive experience.

Learn more and register for APTA’s TRANSform Conference and EXPO at www.aptaexpo.com. q

The APTA organization and show is somewhat unique in that it involves a wide range of transportation operators and providers. Included are bus, paratransit, light rail, commuter rail, subways, waterborne services and intercity and high-speed passenger rail. APTA members are involved in a wide range of activities in each of these sectors.

Many of the APTA exhibits address new innovations, improved technology and increased safety. Autonomous vehicles are expected to be included as well as management systems. This photo from the 2017 show includes some of the railcar exhibits on display.