American Public Transportation Association

10/20/2026

Smarter solutions, safer public transit!

By leveraging AI-powered front-mounted bus cameras, Sacramento Regional Transit District is enhancing safety for riders and operators while improving the rider experience. Just one more example of how public transit agencies are innovating to better serve their communities.

Read more: https://aptapassengertransport.com/how-sacrt-harnesses-ai-technology-daily/

At Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT), the brave new world of artificial intelligence is no longer just a future possibility. AI is a tool we use daily to improve rider safety, keep our system well-maintained, and to streamline operations.

10/20/2026

Register now for APTA's 2026 Safety & Risk Management Seminar, December 6-9, in Miami. The Early Bird discount ends Friday, October 23, so sign up today for the best event dedicated to transit safety and risk management professionals.

Learn more > https://conta.cc/4eKCovo

10/20/2026

Photographer Christopher Payne spent years inside the factories across the United States that maintain and build NYC’s subway cars in Nebraska, buses in Minnesota, and locomotives in California. Now his work is on display across the city.

Seventy-seven percent of federal investment in public transportation flows to the private sector, supporting a network of 3,000 businesses and good paying jobs in 1,300 communities from coast to coast.

See the full Fast Company story and pictures of public and private sector workers in action > https://www.fastcompany.com/91624647/chris-payne-mta-photographs-subway-factory Metropolitan Transportation Authority - MTA

The photographer Christopher Payne spent years inside the factories that build and maintain NYC’s subway cars. Now his work is on display across the city.

10/19/2026

Behind every successful mega-event is a winning team. During the FIFA World Cup, public transit agencies and their partners worked together to keep people moving and set new ridership records.

At APTA TRANSform & EXPO, public transit leaders from World Cup host cities talked about their lessons learned.

As cities prepare for future events, like the 2028 Olympics, one thing is clear: when public transportation is fully funded, communities can move people safely and reliably.

Learn more: https://aptapassengertransport.com/transit-leaders-discuss-world-cup-cost-lessons-and-keys-to-success/

The experiences of six public transit agencies providing record-breaking World Cup service may have differed based on agency size and operating environment, but their central message was the same: no transit provider can deliver a successful mega-event alone. That was […]

10/19/2026

"At the American Public Transportation Association’s Expo last week, nearly 700 companies met for the first time in three years to show off their innovations. Smart Cities Dive attended, and spoke to several exhibitors about their new technology and infrastructure plans.

"The rail car manufacturer ALSTOM announced it was bringing its innovation hubs to the United States for the first time. Planned for Pittsburg, the hub will 'encourage collaboration among transit agencies, cities, universities, technology centers, startups and industry partners' and help agencies find ways to make transportation faster and more efficient for customers, Dan Zukowski writes for Smart Cities Dive.

"Lyt discussed their AI detection system that gives traffic signal priority to transit and emergency vehicles. Siemens Mobility, a rail car and locomotive manufacturer, displayed a model of their new light-rail vehicles." - Planetizen

https://www.planetizen.com/news/2026/10/138668-companies-show-ai-technology-new-innovation-hubs-apta-expo

Nearly 700 companies attended the American Public Transportation Association’s Expo last week, which happens once every three years.

10/16/2026

APTA returned to Chicago—the site of its first EXPO in 1981—to welcome nearly 14,000 attendees, 700 exhibitors, and 30 news outlets to the 2026 TRANSform & EXPO, October 4-7.

A mixed-media opening session, complete with a live blues band, paid tribute to APTA and Chicago’s history of innovation in business, the arts, and transportation. Calling Chicago “the city that built America,” APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas welcomed and thanked the audience.

“This has been a momentous year,” said Skoutelas, “and we have shown our leaders in Washington and across the country that public transportation drives the economy.”

See more in our highlights video from APTA TRANSform & .

10/16/2026

NEW REPORT: Public Transit Saves American Families Money

As household costs continue to rise, APTA’s new Transit Savings Report finds that families using public transit can save $14,100 a year. That’s more money for rent, groceries, and healthcare.

When we invest in public transit, we invest in American families. More in our report: https://www.apta.com/press-release/households-that-ride-public-transit-can-save-14100-annually/

10/16/2026

Federal funding cuts in the Continuing Resolution are putting public transportation projects, maintenance work, and reliable service at risk.

Congress must restore these investments and keep America on track. Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Republicans House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

Learn more:
https://www.apta.com/advocacy-material/congress-passes-continuing-resolution-and-surface-transportation-authorization-extension-act/

10/15/2026

APTA concluded its 2026 TRANSform & EXPO, held October 4–7, at McCormick Place in Chicago. The event featured nearly 700 exhibitors and drew 13,700 attendees, including public transit leaders, private-sector partners, policymakers, and international delegations. Taking place every three years, hashtag gives the public transportation industry an opportunity to see new technologies and share practices that improve service for riders.

“The technologies on the EXPO floor and the discussions in our TRANSform sessions gave transit agencies and businesses practical tools to improve service, operate more efficiently, and plan for the future. Our industry is ready to put those lessons to work for riders and the communities we serve,” said APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas.

Several themes emerged across the exhibit floor and conference sessions:

+ Rail Innovation: Exhibitors showcased battery-electric passenger rail, highlighted U.S. rail manufacturing and presented future light rail equipment concepts, including longer train configurations.

+ AI and Smart Technology: Exhibitors and speakers focused on AI tools that agencies are already putting into service, including applications for predictive rail maintenance, automated dispatching for on-demand and micromobility services, connected transit networks, and real-time rider information. New products on display included fleet intelligence platforms and advanced fare collection and faregate systems.

+ Regional Connectivity: Technology providers demonstrated how integrated fare payment and coordinated service planning can help riders travel more easily between suburban and urban areas and across agency boundaries.

+ Zero-Emission Buses and Fleets: Manufacturers introduced new battery-electric bus models and electric shuttle concepts to the U.S. market, and several companies announced plans to build and deliver buses for North American customers.

+ Transit-Oriented Development: Sessions examined how real estate partnerships around stations and transit hubs can generate revenue and support regional funding needs.

+ Federal Investment and Policy: Agency leaders and policymakers discussed the federal Capital Investment Grants program and the next surface transportation reauthorization, including the role of sustained federal investment in advancing projects like those on display.

+ Workforce Development: APTA’s Transit Industry Job Fair connected hundreds of job seekers with public transit agencies and private-sector companies that are hiring. Events for young professionals offered mentoring, career development, and networking opportunities for those beginning their careers in public transportation.

The insights and practices shared in Chicago will inform the industry’s work in the years ahead as agencies plan for ridership growth, advance sustainability goals, and prepare for major events.

https://www.apta.com/press-release/apta-2026-transform-expo-concludes-in-chicago/

10/14/2026

Check out five new studies with practical approaches to improving public transportation, including:
1. Transit to airports
2. A guide to Buy America requirements for transit agencies
3. Providing better info to people with low vision
4. Strategies to enforce bus lanes
5. Implementing microtransit

All reports are free > https://conta.cc/4i6rOQy

Plus, ambassadors will be in-person at six more events across the U.S. this fall. See where you can meet them > https://conta.cc/4i6rOQy

Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Transportation Research Board

TCRP October Update - 10/14/2026 Welcome to the October Update. The Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) has five new studies with practical ways to improve public transit. Providing Passenger