APTA Visits GILLIG for Tour and Roundtable Discussion

APTA leaders visited the GILLIG headquarters and manufacturing plant in Livermore, CA, recently to tour the facility and take part in a roundtable discussion.

The visit underscored the strong relationship between APTA and GILLIG, a shared commitment to advancing public transit solutions that drive economic growth and sustainability, and the company’s commitment to producing American-built, high-quality, and reliable buses for the U.S. public transit market.

State and local government representatives also attended the tour. 

The APTA delegation included President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas; Chair Michele Wong Krause; Dorval R. Carter, Jr., president, Chicago Transit Authority and chair of APTA’s Bus Manufacturing Task Force; APTA COO David Carol; and Ward McCarragher, APTA Vice President of Government Affairs and Advocacy. 

The roundtable discussion highlighted the pivotal role that GILLIG and the broader public transportation industry plays in the economic and environmental future of the U.S. APTA officials, GILLIG executives, and key suppliers engaged in a robust dialogue about the significance of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the current state of the public transit market, and GILLIG’s leadership in zero-emission transit solutions. 

The dialogue emphasized the critical need for continued investment in public transportation to modernize infrastructure, support domestic manufacturing, and upskill the workforce for a zero-emission future. Highlighting the significant economic benefits of investing in public transit, Skoutelas commented that “investments in public transportation have been shown to yield substantial returns, with every dollar generating approximately five dollars in economic benefits.” 

In closing remarks, Derek Maunus, GILLIG president and CEO, stated that “this visit from APTA is a testament to our shared dedication to advancing the public transportation industry and addressing head-on the challenges and opportunities the current industry dynamic presents. At GILLIG, we are committed to manufacturing high-quality, reliable, and sustainable buses that serve communities nationwide and to ensuring our industry is healthy, sustainable, and able to meet the needs of customers around the country.” 

“APTA thanks GILLIG for hosting our delegation and providing an informative tour of their facilities. They are an outstanding industry partner, especially during this critical moment as the industry moves forward on clean bus technology and transit agencies nationwide modernize their fleets,” concluded Skoutelas. “The strength and resilience of public transportation significantly affects the economy, supporting jobs and driving growth in numerous sectors. We must preserve, protect, and nurture the U.S. bus manufacturing market if we are to advance our nation’s public transportation infrastructure.”