General Session: The Future of Cities Relies on the Strength of Public Transportation

For generations, strong and expanding public transportation has had a central role in providing mobility to persons throughout urban and regional communities.   In so doing, this has enabled the American economy to prosper.  The distinguished panel will speak to the necessity of an ongoing federal-state-local partnership supporting public transportation, in so doing keeping cities and regions strong, vibrant, environmentally friendly, resilient, and equitable.   Discussion will cover the significance of urban form, universal mobility, and the broad range of community benefits that come from public transportation. 

Remarks:

• Irene Marion, Director of the Departmental Office of Civil Rights, Office of the Secretary of Transportation, U.S. Department of Transportation

Moderator:

• Dorval Carter, Immediate Past Chair, APTA; and President, Chicago Transit Authority

Panelists:

• The Honorable Travis Stovall, Vice Chair for Public Transit, US Conference of Mayors, and Mayor, City of Gresham, Oregon
• The Honorable Eileen Higgins, County Commissioner, Miami-Dade, Miami-Dade Transit
• Ydanis Rodriguez, Commissioner, New York City Department of Transportation
• Christopher Coes, Acting Under Secretary of Transportation Policy, U.S. Department of Transportation