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COVERAGE OF THE BUS & PARATRANSIT CONFERENCE |
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Opening General Session: Focus on Diversity Sets Tone for Conference
“Public transportation makes change happen; we don’t just open doors, we open minds,” said APTA Chair Valarie J. McCall, who officially kicked off the conference at the Sunday afternoon Opening General Session.
Several session speakers presented remarks focusing on diversity and inclusion, helping to set the tone for the entire conference, which McCall called “a statement about our commitment to be aspirational, serve all members of the community and connect people to new ideas and opportunities.”
McCall added, “This conference is about making more good things happen in our local communities and across the country.”
She described several conference sessions designed around diversity and inclusion, including a roundtable led by Vice Chair Doran Barnes and the APTA-COMTO Assembly on the role of public transportation in civil rights.
Acting President & CEO Richard White echoed the message of diversity and unity and spoke about APTA’s renewed focus on meeting the most pressing needs of every member. “Today is a time of extraordinary change for our transit agencies, businesses, communities and, yes, for our association,” he said.
As change demands more from the industry, White said APTA must adjust and make “change work for us” to make it stronger. He stressed the importance of fostering a culture of connectedness in both the industry and the association and expressed optimism about leading “the APTA that I love … into a successful future.”
Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts and John Lewis, executive director, Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), the host system, expressed their appreciation for APTA’s continued support during what Roberts described as “a difficult time.”
Lewis discussed CATS’ investment in an expanded, multimodal public transportation network and its role in spurring economic growth, improving the quality of life and attracting new businesses, events and residents.
Roberts reassured conference attendees that “our welcoming city has always practiced tolerance and fairness toward all” and encouraged attendees to experience firsthand the best her city has to offer, including “… wonderful shops and restaurants, a world-class transit system and southern hospitality.”
The session concluded with McCall and White presenting the 2016 Bus Safety and Security Excellence Awards.
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Opening General Session speakers included, from left, CATS Executive Director John Lewis; Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts; APTA Chair Valarie J. McCall; and APTA Acting President & CEO Richard White.
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