Council on Public Transportation

AASHTO Liaison
Shayne Gill, Program Director for Multimodal Transportation
sgill@aashto.org

Welcome to the Council on Public Transportation.

The Council on Public Transportation provides public transportation expertise and leadership for advancing public transportation as a part of an intermodal transportation system. It develops legislative, policy, and program recommendations related to all forms of passenger public transportation services including rural, urban, regional and intercity bus, travel demand management and commuter rail.

The Council on Public Transportation investigates available data and disseminates information to Member Departments, collects information on new and improved equipment and practices that will enhance operational aspects, and operates a forum to exchange information. It identifies and receives reports from its subcommittees and task forces as to federal regulatory mandates of national concern.

Through general strategic direction, The Council on Public Transportation supports the Multi-State Transit Technical Assistance Program (MTAP). MTAP’s primary purposes are to provide technical assistance to help states implement Federal Transit Administration Programs, to provide feedback to FTA on implementation issues, and to create a professional network for sharing best practices.

To support this mission over the next two years, the SCOPT 2014-2016 Strategic Plan identifies the following six goals:

  1. Lead and influence national policy related to public transportation;
  2. Advance public transportation as part of an integrated transportation system;
  3. Strengthen the Council’s leadership role within AASHTO and among other national organizations, institutions, and groups with complementary purposes and goals;
  4. Identify and promote research and develop educational resources to support public transportation providers;
  5. Provide world-class technical assistance and support to State DOTs in their delivery of public transportation programs; and
  6. Increase the pool of State DOT professionals willing and able to work with the Council and to serve in leadership roles.

What’s New!

End of Summer 2020 Virtual Meeting

May 22 – FTA Response to AASHTO Letter on COVID-19 Crisis and Assisting State DOTs and Transit Agencies

May 12 – Webinar – States Discuss Strategies/Guidance for Navigating Transit’s COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis Recovery

Newly Released – 2020 Survey of State Funding for Public Transportation (with FY 2018 data)

April 14 – Special Meeting (webinar) – States Discuss CARES Act Implementation

April 14 – AASHTO Letter to Federal Transit Administration – Assisting State DOTs and Public Transit Agencies with Responses to the COVID-19 Crisis

NCHRP Resource – A Guide for Public Transportation Pandemic Planning and Response (2014)

April 6 – FTA CARES Act Implementation Webinar (slides)

March 27 – Council on Public Transportation & MTAP Webinar on COVID-19 Emergency Relief Legislation & Future Economic Stimulus Package

Upcoming Meetings

Federal Transit Administration COVID-19 Recovery Listening Sessions:

  • September 2020 – Managing Vehicles and Facilities in a New Service Environment
  • October 2020 – Innovations in Restoring Passenger Confidence and Managing COVID-19 Operational Considerations
  • November 2020 – Value-Added Services for Public Transportation as Communities Recover
  • December 2020 – Understanding and Addressing Changing Rider Needs

2020 Virtual Winter Meeting – Council on Public Transportation and MTAP
Stay tuned for more details

Chair:

Roger Millar, Secretary of Transportation
Washington State Department of Transportation