Approximately one thousand transportation professionals from across the country gathered in Anaheim this week for two simultaneous conferences. OCTA proudly served as the host agency for members of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), providing free passes on OC Bus for attendees, dozens of volunteers, and expertise and perspective at seminars.
OCTA CEO Darrell Johnson kicked off the APTA Tech Conference and Sustainability Workshop by encouraging participants to engage in meaningful discussions, exchange best practices, and explore cutting-edge technologies to revolutionize transportation systems. “The challenges we face may be complex, but by leveraging our collective knowledge and expertise, we can transform challenges into opportunities and build a more sustainable and resilient public transportation network for the communities we serve,” he said.
OCTA Chairman Gene Hernanez also provided opening remarks, reminding attendees that resilient and sustainable transportation is not just a choice but a necessity and highlighting OCTA’s commitment to sustainable practices.
As the moderator for the CEO Roundtable, Johnson guided a panel of public transportation leaders through a discussion about the role of technology in their organizations.
During OCTA’s Host Session, four OCTA executives and managers offered a look at the organization and its projects. Johnny Dunning, Chief Operating Officer, provided an overview of OCTA and OC Bus ridership recovery/performance; Dan Phu, Program Manager, outlined OCTA’s sustainability program and Making Better Connections Study; Cliff Thorne, Director of Maintenance, highlighted OCTA’s zero-emission bus program and hydrogen fueling station; and Cleve Cleveland, Department Manager, shared an overview of the OC Streetcar project.