When you think of public transportation working in clock-like precision, think Swiss. Public transportation accounts for 19 percent of all trips in Switzerland; it is a very appreciated and successful mode of transport used not only in the big cities, but also to connect small towns and villages.

To examine the success of the Swiss model, lessons the U.S. transit sector can learn, and the innovations and challenges facing transit in both Switzerland and the U.S. in the near future, APTA and the Swiss Embassy are teaming up Feb. 10 to unveil The Challenge of Sustainable Transportation for the 21st Century: The Prospects for Switzerland and the U.S.—a collaborative expo and workshop at the National Building Museum in Washington. This event, hosted by Urs Ziswiler, Swiss ambassador to the U.S., and APTA Immediate Past Chair Michael S. Townes, will explore the ramifications of taking a holistic approach to creating and financing modern public transportation.

“We are excited to launch this ThinkSwiss traveling exhibit in Washington, DC,” said Dora Fitzli, Ph.D., counselor for science and technology with the Swiss Embassy. “Working towards a more sustainable transportation system is a common challenge for Switzerland and the U.S.”

Ziswiler added: “We think it is an excellent time to have a dialogue on public transportation. Awareness is growing in the U.S. and Switzerland is currently building two new tunnels through the Alps,” he continued. “On this basis, many topics can be discussed: urbanism, the overall planning of a transportation system, the public support, and the financing.”

Participation in this program is free but space is limited, so interested persons should contact Jessica Bechir at jbechir@apta.com or (202) 496-4833 for registration and further information. Further information is also available on the APTA web site.

 

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