2010 TPTA Conference & Expo to be a Hit!!

This year the Tennessee Public Transportation Association is excited to co-host the 2010 Conference & Expo in Knoxville, Tennessee with Cindy McGinnis (General Manager) and her staff from the Knoxville Area Transit (KAT).  Don’t wait! Make your reservations online at www.tntransit.org for the 2010 Conference & Expo set for October 12 – 15 at the Knoxville Downtown Hilton Hotel & Convention Center. Conference sessions will be held at the Knoxville Convention Center, located just one block from the Hotel.

The Downtown Hilton Hotel is one of Knoxville’s finest hotels and is situated in the heart of downtown, the gateway to scenic East Tennessee. With a covered sky bridge to the Knoxville Convention Center, a short walk to the University of Tennessee campus, views of the Tennessee River & Neyland Stadium, and perfectly situated in the downtown business district, the Knoxville Hilton Hotel is convenient to it all!

The 2010 Conference & Expo will host several educational sessions for managers, drivers, planners, dispatchers and other interested parties. The Conference will also include panels of legislative representatives and experts, great keynote speakers, and numerous vendors displaying the latest buses and public transit technology. Again, don’t wait to register for the Conference and make your hotel reservations at www.tntransit.org !!!

TPTA Day on the Hill a Huge Success!!

The 2010 TPTA Day on the Hill was one of the most successful to date. We had great participation from our members, and it was a true milestone event for TPTA. Below are some highlights:

• Over 50 legislators attended the TPTA reception, along with dozens of legislative staffers
• TPTA had great meetings with the Speaker of the House and the Chairmen of the House and Senate Transportation Committees
• TPTA made a presentation that was well received in the House Transportation Committee
• Dozens of individual meetings were held with district legislators by individual transit systems
• 20 informative transit agency displays appeared in the Legislative Plaza hallway
• Impressive TPTA membership attendance at the Senate and House Transportation Committee meetings

Several legislators, staff, and lobbyists from the legislative plaza were impressed with the number of people that we had at the event, as well as TPTA’s clear and consistent message. Many shared that they had a better understanding of urban and rural public transit and were surprised to learn so much transit existed in the State of Tennessee. The Association says “Thank You” for participating in the 2010 TPTA Day on the Hill and we hope to make next year’s event even better. I know our public transportation message was delivered to our elected officials, so keep up the good work. Again, thanks for participating and being part of the legislative process!!
 

TPTA Trip to Washington, DC - Always a Great Opportunity to Educate our Congressmen about Public Transit!!

The March 2010 trip to Washington, DC provided the Association with a special treat - both Senator Alexander and Senator Corker took time out of their busy schedules to meet personally with TPTA members Both acknowledged a deep commitment to public transportation. With their retirements on the horizon, , the Association recognized Congressman Bart Gordon, Congressman John Tanner, and Congressman Zach Wamp at the TPTA breakfast for their many years of service,. They have always been tremendous supporters of Tennessee Public Transportation and we are grateful.

The TPTA trip to Washington, DC is always a significant opportunity for Tennessee transit agencies to educate federal Senators and Congressman about our public transportation story - Tennessee public transportation agencies carry approximately 32 million passengers annually across the state and we are one of a handful of states with public transportation in every county. With the expenses and environmental concerns associated with owning an automobile, the need for reliable public transportation is greater than ever in Tennessee. This need is especially true for the State’s low-income and elderly residents who rely on public transportation as an economic alternative to automobile usage. For many Tennesseans, public transportation is the only means of getting to and from a job or doctor’s appointment.

With Tennessee residents increasing their use of bus and van transportation services, vehicle replacement is a key issue for rural and urban transit agencies. TPTA requested $20 million in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill (Section 5309, Federal Transit Administration account) for bus replacement and bus facilities. The funds will be allocated to each local public transportation agency through a TPTA formula. As with the previous year, the 5309 statewide request is one of the most important requests that TPTA makes at the federal level. 

William Hudson, Jr.

TPTA President