Date:  Saturday, September 06, 2008

Contact: Michele Villnave, WSDOT Communications (360) 705-7875 (Olympia)

OLYMPIA - The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is pleased to present the 32nd Annual Public Transportation Conference and Expo on September 7-10 in Kennewick. More than 350 attendees and 40 industry exhibitors are registered for the annual gathering and interactive forum for those dedicated to providing or supporting public transportation in Washington State.

"Public transportation is critical to managing the current and anticipated growth in Washington state, and it will take all of us working together in a coordinated and collaborative way to meet the wide range of needs," said Katy Taylor, WSDOT Public Transportation Division Director. "This year's conference workshops provide a variety of topics to increase our knowledge and stimulate ideas ranging from climate change to safety and security to future of trip reduction.

Nationally known speakers will join local experts to speak on a wide array of public transportation topics. The three-day conference will include nearly 40 workshops with offerings on intercity and regional planning, all forms of rail, urban and rural transit, public transportation grants, commute trip reduction, climate change, and safety and security. Conference highlights include:

Sunday

• State Public Transportation Roadeo
• Katy’s Corner a town hall, question and answer meeting with WSDOT Public Transportation Director Katy Taylor.

Monday

• Welcome lunch featuring Keynote Speaker Justice Mary E. Fairhurst
• Meeting market demand for our services featuring Richard Krochalis, Regional Administrator, FTA, Region 10
• Exhibitors’ Expo and mini-workshops

Tuesday

• National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission featuring Arthur L. Guzzetti, Vice President, American Public Transportation Association and Jack Schenendorf, Of Counsel, Covington & Burling LLP
• Tribal Transportation Programs

Wednesday

• Introduction to Climate Change featuring William H. Calvin, Professor, University of Washington
• Climate Change Workshop Series
• Governor’s Commute Smart Awards Luncheon featuring Paula Hammond, Secretary of Transportation, WSDOT.

Members of the public are invited to participate and may register at the conference registration desk or at www.wsdot.wa.gov/transit/conference

< Back to News Home