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 For the first time ever, APTA and public transportation were a focus of activities surrounding the Democratic and Republican conventions. In Denver, APTA joined with the Colorado Association of Transit Agencies (CASTA), the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) and the American Bus Association (ABA) to host a reception at the Democratic National Convention.  In Minneapolis, at the Republican National Convention, APTA, CTAA, and the ABA co-hosted.

In Denver, the event was held at Union Station. Among the many attendees, APTA First Vice Chair Beverly Scott (Atlanta) and William W. Millar greeted Congressional transit supporters, including House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee Chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN), T&I Railroad, Pipelines, and Hazardous Material Subcommittee Chairwoman Corrine Brown (D-FL), and House Ways and Means Committee Member Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) as well as Denver Regional Transportation District General Manager Clarence “Cal" Marsella and CASTA Board members.

The reception coincided with a major press event outside the station where House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC), and more than 50 other members of the U.S. House of Representatives took RTD's MallRide buses to Union Station.  An RTD hybrid bus served as a backdrop to emphasize the role public transportation plays in reducing our nation’s dependence on foreign oil and greenhouse gas emissions. 

In Minneapolis, American Bus Association Board Member Charles Zelle hosted a reception.  Attendees included Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee John Mica (R-FL), his wife and staff, as well as representatives from ABA, CTAA, Mn/DOT, and the Twin Cities business community.   

“As first efforts”, said Millar, “these were successful events that should be repeated.  Getting public transportation’s message before the wide range of federal, state, and local officials and leaders from across the country makes the conventions appealing sites.” 

In the next issue of Passenger Transport we will highlight how the respective transit systems played an integral role in transporting thousand of delegates, and others, to the convention events.

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