It’s not too soon to register for the 2011 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference, May 22-25 at the Memphis Marriott Downtown in Memphis, TN! Early registration fees of $575 are available through April 15; on that day, the fee will increase to $625.

The Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) is the host system for the conference, which will offer more than 40 technical sessions, educational curricula, technical tours, and competitions for bus operators and maintainers. Concurrent with the conference is the annual International Bus Roadeo.

APTA will present its Bus Safety Awards during the May 22 Opening General Session. The schedule for the next three days includes technical educational sessions of interest to mid-level to veteran bus and paratransit professionals, ranging from alternative fuel technology and fare media to “greening up” the bus garage and partnerships between transit and -higher education.

In addition to two technical tours, MATA will explore the impact of public transportation in Memphis during the civil rights era at the May 24 Host Forum, “Stories of Memphis—Past, Present, and Future.” Speakers at the forum will include the Rev. Samuel “Billy” Kyles and Beverly Robertson, executive director of the city’s National Civil Rights Museum.

The preliminary program and registration, hotel, and travel information can be found online in the Conferences & Calendar section of the APTA web site  or from Starleetah Gaddis-Parker. For registration information, contact Adam Martin. International Bus Roadeo information is available from Saahir Brewington.