APTA (American Public Transportation Association)

Overview

The American Public Transportation Association is a nonprofit international association of more than 1,500 public and private sector member organizations, based in Washington. It is the only association in North America representing all modes of public transportation, covering bus, paratransit, light rail, commuter rail, subways, waterborne services and intercity and high-speed passenger rail, and says more than 90 percent of the people using public transportation in the United States and Canada ride on member systems. Membership spans planning, design, financing, construction and operation of transit systems as well as research, manufacturing and maintenance of vehicles and equipment, alongside academic institutions, transportation network companies, state departments of transportation and other transit associations. Member benefits include advocacy for federal funding and policy, research, technical expertise and consulting, workforce development programs, educational conferences and seminars, and 135 subject-matter working committees. Its standards program publishes standards, recommended practices and white papers across transit disciplines, including the Standard Bus Procurement Guidelines template, while the Advocacy Resource Center carries federal legislative priorities, legislative updates and an Industry Footprint of state and congressional district data. Events include the annual TRANSform Conference and EXPO, a legislative advocacy fly-in, a safety and risk management seminar and a biennial state public transportation partnerships conference.