Workforce Summit 2026
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Register
- Member - $147
- Non-member - $177
Artificial intelligence is reshaping how industries operate, and public transportation is no exception. The 2026 APTA Workforce Summit, brings together industry leaders, managers, and labor partners to explore what AI means for transit operations, workforce planning, HR solutions, and rapidly evolving technology. The summit tackles the questions transit organizations can’t afford to ignore: what new skills will teams need, how do we attract and retain next-generation talent, and how do we balance innovation with the needs of customers, boards, and communities.
Whether your organization is already integrating AI or just beginning to assess its implications, the Workforce Summit offers practical tools, policy insights, and peer-driven strategies to help you move forward with confidence. Attendees will leave with a clearer picture of what an AI-ready workforce looks like — and a concrete path to building one.
Who Should Attend: The Workforce Summit is designed for the transit professionals responsible for building and sustaining a capable, future-ready workforce. Industry leaders, HR and workforce development professionals, managers, and labor partners will all find relevant programming and actionable takeaways across the two-day agenda.
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Recorded On: 05/20/2026
The opening session features remarks from APTA President and CEO, Paul Skoutelas, and a fireside chat with Jay Fox, CEO, Utah Transit Authority (UTA), and Carlos Braceras, Executive Director, Utah Department of Transportation (DOT) on the importance of state and local partnerships.
The opening session features remarks from APTA President and CEO, Paul Skoutelas, and a fireside chat with Jay Fox, CEO, Utah Transit Authority (UTA), and Carlos Braceras, Executive Director, Utah Department of Transportation (DOT) on the importance of state and local partnerships.
President's Welcome: Paul Skoutelas, President and CEO, American Public Transportation Association
Keynote Introduction: Ron Thiele, President, Xpan Interactive Ltd.
Keynote Speaker: Carlos Braceras, Executive Director, Utah Department of Transportation
Speaker: Jay Fox, Executive Director, Utah Transit Authority
Hosted by the Business Member Workforce Development Committee, which supports the APTA Strategic Plan through activities in the workforce development sphere, undertaking specific actions and activities that include both students and teachers to provide a source of new people entering the transit workforce.
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Recorded On: 05/20/2026
Please join us to hear from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and learn more about FTA’s workforce priorities, funding opportunities, training, and workforce development resources.
Please join us to hear from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and learn more about FTA’s workforce priorities, funding opportunities, training, and workforce development resources.
Speaker: Edwin Rodriguez, Director for the Office of Research Management, Innovation, and Outreach, Federal Transit Administration
Introduction: Carita Ducre, Vice President Workforce Development & Educational Services, American Public Transportation Association
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Recorded On: 05/20/2026
As agencies work to build smarter, more agile transportation networks, the focus is on practical strategies, lessons learned, and the road ahead to adopt, advance, and scale innovative technology solutions.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming public transportation. It is being used to enhance service planning, improve maintenance forecasting, elevate the customer experience, and enable cutting-edge autonomous vehicle (AV) pilot programs.
Transportation organizations are no longer just exploring AI and AV possibilities; they are actively moving from vision to implementation.
As agencies work to build smarter, more agile transportation networks, the focus is on practical strategies, lessons learned, and the road ahead to adopt, advance, and scale innovative technology solutions.
Moderator: Tiffany J. Gunter, CEO and General Manager, Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART)
Panelists:
- Erik Hansen, CEO, SouthWest Transit
- Nathaniel Ford, Chief Executive Officer, Jacksonville Transportation Authority
- Harry Wilson, Executive Chairman, MV Transportation, Inc.
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Recorded On: 05/20/2026
Transportation leaders need to design and implement effective AI governance frameworks that balance speed with responsibility. Let’s explore new templates while reviewing models currently be used by organizations to guide industry progress.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and technology are rapidly reshaping the way we work. Transportation organizations face increasing pressure to innovate while maintaining safety, compliance, and public trust. Transportation leaders need to design and implement effective AI governance frameworks that balance speed with responsibility. Let’s explore new templates while reviewing the model organizations currently use to reshape and guide industry progress
Moderator: Derik Calhoun, Chief Transportation Officer, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART)
- Ethan Benatan, Chief Information Officer, Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet)
- Steven Schrayer, AICP, Senior Transportation Planner & Data Scientist, Foursquare Integrated Transportation Planning Inc.
- Manjit Sooch, Chair, APTA Innovation Peer Exchange and Data Governance Subcommittee; and Director of Innovation and Technology, AC Transit (Alameda Contra-Costa Transit District)