APTA's Executive Committee recently adopted a Standards of Business Practice policy. The policy is aimed at ensuring that APTA meetings and conferences remain forums for spirited, respectful debate. The text follows:

“APTA is intended as a forum for the public transportation industry, as a whole, to consider, advocate, share information, and reach consensus wherever possible on the issues facing the industry. To effectively accomplish this purpose, members must be free to voice their opinions without threat of disparagement, mockery, or derision.

“APTA members are expected to treat each other and the Association’s invited guests with dignity and respect in any Association forum, whether a conference session, committee meeting, or other.

“While differences of opinion and advocacy for those differing opinions is encouraged, personal attacks, insults, or debasement of others shall not be tolerated.

“Disruption of APTA events shall not be tolerated.

“APTA members are expected to communicate with and enforce this code of conduct among their employees, board members, or other representatives at APTA events and will be deemed responsible for the conduct of those representatives for purposes of this policy.

“In addition to sanctions contemplated under Article V.E of the APTA bylaws, the Association reserves the right to impose such intermediate sanctions on members or individuals as deemed necessary to achieve the purpose of this policy.”