Bus & Paratransit Conference and International Bus Roadeo

Opening General Session: Investing Today for a Brighter Tomorrow

Presiding:
- Howard Silver, chair, APTA, and board member, Golden Empire Transit District, Bakersfield, CA

President's Welcome:
- William W. Millar, president, APTA

Greetings:
- Mayor Curt Pringle, City of Anaheim, and Board Member, OCTA, Orange, CA
- Arthur C. Brown, chairman, OCTA, Orange, CA
- Arthur T. Leahy, chief executive officer, OCTA, Orange, CA
- Fred Gilliam, president/CEO, Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Austin, TX

General Forum: The Art of Exceptional Quality Service

Doug Lipp, internationally acclaimed expert on quality and customer service and former head of training at Disney Studio's Walt Disney University, will address the audience. Afterwards, a panel of transit executives from around the country will respond to Mr. Lipp's comments and discuss the importance of quality service.

Effectively Communicating Your Safety and Security Message with Riders

Transit agencies ask their customers to be alert and report anything suspicious. This session will focus on various passenger safety and security campaigns throughout North America.

OCTA Technology

OCTA representatives will present technologies that they have implemented over the last few years. Speakers will highlight their work in hybrids, on-board surveillance systems, and fire resistant hydraulic fluids

Environmental Justice: Update 2006

Last year's natural disasters along the Gulf Coast brought a spotlight to issues of Environmental Justice, civil rights and equity in the delivery and availability of transportation services. The discussion will focus on lessons learned from last year and will examine how transit planners and managers can work together better with the community in shaping transportation planning.

Host Forum: OCTA - Managing Growth for Success

From growing bus and paratransit systems to commuter rail, toll road, and an extensive HOV network, OCTA's seamless multimodal transportation system keeps the nation's fifth largest county moving. Learn about the "Paratransit Growth Management Study," the state-of-the-art bus operation technology, and the first design-build transit/freeway project in California.

The Move Towards Zero Emissions

Emission reduction is becoming a prime focus of environmental groups, technology developers, regulatory groups, and others. This session focuses on the requirements of regulations; the impacts of the changes in technology affecting emissions; some real-world on-board emissions testing; and a synopsis of vehicle systems that will be available to meet the regulations.

Recovery from Critical Events

From recent natural catastrophes to power blackouts, the transit industry has faced a number of challenges in recovering from critical events. What does and doesn't work? Learn from those who have recovered from such situations, and hear about steps that our industry is taking to provide support to each other when disasters occur.

International Bus Roadeo Awards Banquet (Marriott Anaheim)

After dinner the International Bus Roadeo winners will be announced.

Transportation Options for Older Adults

The number of Americans age 65 and older will double in the next 25 years. What can transit organizations and communities do now to prepare for the increase number of older Americans? This session will outline planning tools and successful programs.

Special Event: Terrorism Response Exercise

OCTA has teamed up with Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Orange County Sheriff's Department and the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department to conduct a live security drill at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, CA.