Building Momentum Together

PAUL P. SKOUTELAS
President and CEO
APTA

Welcome to the 2026 TRANSform & EXPO. The first APTA EXPO was held in Chicago in 1981. Now, 45 years later, we are back, along with more than 12,000 public transportation professionals from around the world.

TRANSform is where we make connections, sharpen our skills, celebrate our colleagues, and build the -momentum to carry us into the future. And this has been a momentous year.

This year, we proved again and again that public transportation drives the economy. Agencies across the country carried millions of riders to America 250 celebrations, sold-out stadiums, and 91 World Cup matches in 13 cities on more than 25 transit systems.

APTA members have been tackling our most pressing issues through the work of a new committee on autonomous vehicles and five new task forces on bus manufacturing; railcar manufacturing; mega events; paratransit; and safety, security, and customer experience, known as SECURE. With public safety attracting more attention than ever, SECURE is helping transit agencies demonstrate their -commitment to safe, clean, and reliable mobility for all.

Our industry has also been working to leverage the greatest benefits from the final year of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Nationwide, agencies are investing billions of dollars in new stations; modern buses and railcars; expanded service; and innovative approaches to safety, accessibility, and the rider experience.

Many of these projects highlight the latest advances in U.S. manufacturing, technology, and engineering. And investments in public transportation strengthen American business. We are now a $102 billion industry that employs 450,000 workers, supports millions of private-sector jobs, and sustains 3,000 suppliers in all 50 states.

That economic and political footprint helped secure more than $21 billion for public transit and almost $16 billion for passenger rail in FY 2026 federal funding—the overwhelming majority of what was authorized. Over the five years of the IIJA (2022-26), a total of $105 billion has been appropriated for public transportation.

We have a great deal in which to take pride as we work to help enact the next transit-friendly, fully funded, five-year Surface Transportation Authorization.

I am optimistic about our future, largely because of the remarkable people gathered in Chicago this week. Technology, policy issues, and leaders change, but our commitment to the communities we serve is unwavering. It’s the enduring character of APTA and our industry that will prevail in the coming months and years ahead.

I want to thank our outgoing Chair, Leanne Redden, for creating new momentum, leading industry-changing initiatives, and hosting us here in Chicago.

Let’s ELEVATE the momentum we’ve begun!