APTA Chair Discusses Industry Priorities at UITP Forum

In one of her first public appearances as APTA Chair, Denise Figueroa joined leaders from the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) and Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) at the UITP North America Forum in Montreal on October 30 to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping public transportation. She highlighted key industry priorities, including securing long-term transit funding, strengthening bus and rail manufacturing, amplifying best practices in safety and security, and addressing the growing challenges facing paratransit services.

Figueroa pointed to APTA initiatives such as the Economic Impact of Public Transportation Investment report and task forces on bus and rail manufacturing, safety and security, and paratransit as examples of how the association is bringing agencies and industry partners together to develop practical solutions to shared challenges.

She also emphasized the value of collaboration among industry associations, citing the partnership between APTA, UITP, and CUTA. By sharing best practices and advancing common advocacy goals, she said, associations can help strengthen public transportation systems and the communities they serve.