Former Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell will present the keynote address at APTA’s Rail Conference, June 2 to 5, in Philadelphia.

Rendell’s remarks will anchor the opening general session on June 3, which will focus on “Public Transportation: It’s All About the People,” APTA Chair Flora Castillo’s focus during her tenure.

Other confirmed speakers include FRA Administrator Joseph C. Szabo and chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, Deborah Hersman.

Rendell, a longtime ­public transpor­tation ­advocate, is one of three co-chairs of Building ­America’s Future, a bipartisan coalition of elected officials who support increased investments in infrastructure as a way to strengthen the country’s economy. (The other two co-chairs are former California Gov. Arnold ­Schwarzenegger and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.)

The conference will feature more than 60 sessions, including the first-ever Rail Safety Excellence Awards luncheon on Tuesday, June 4, to recognize exemplary achievement in safety management. The luncheon keynote speaker is Rina Cutler, board member of the conference host agency Southeastern ­Pennsylvania Authority (SEPTA), and ­Philadelphia deputy mayor for transportation and utilities.

In addition, the technical conference includes six tracks, including a new one for mid-level managers, and the launch of APTA’s Early Career Program, a year-long program that provides young ­public transportation professionals with the skills, knowledge, insights, and networks they need to succeed and advance in the industry. The program concludes at APTA’s May 2014 Bus and Paratransit Conference.

The International Rail Rodeo competition, scheduled for June 1, is a highly popular event for operator and maintainer teams to showcase their skills and knowledge using SEPTA’s rail equipment.

For details and to register, click here.

Rendell	Szabo	Hersman