Rural bus transportation conference set for Sept. 30

BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. – The 23rd National Conference on Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation – with a focus on improving rural, regional and intercity mobility options — has been set for September 30 to October 3 in Breckenridge.

The bi-annual conference, which got its start in 1976 in Greensboro, N.C., will cover hot topics in rural public-transit, tribal and intercity bus operations, highlighting current applied research and best practices.

It will offer cutting-edge training and numerous workshops on bus operations, policy, technology, management and mobility. This year’s conference will feature nationally known keynote speaker Donna Griggs presenting on how to manage change.

“We believe this is one of the most important national conferences on rural transportation programs, as we bring in over 450 transit professionals from around the United States,” said Elena Wilken, conference co-chair.

“What also makes our conference unique is the fact that included are over 50 transit and motorcoach companies coming together on how to work together to best give the public transportation options,” Wilken said.

The conference also includes representatives from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Federal Transit Administration and several state transportation departments.

Mark Szyperski, president and CEO of On Your Mark Transportation, a consulting firm to the bus and motorcoach industry, said the conference results in interaction between private intercity bus companies and the public-transit agencies.     “I often tell my clients, even if you are not involved in intercity bus scheduled service, this conference is important to attend as it gives you the opportunity to learn from those who are doing scheduled service,” Szyperski said. “It also gives you the opportunity to meet federal and state department of transportation professionals who may provide the information you need to consider this important segment of the transportation industry.”

The conference includes exhibition space for vendors, including an outdoor exhibition space to display buses and indoor booths for companies to display products and services such as bus parts, scheduling, ticketing and bus washing.

More information about the conference, including schedules, hotel accommodations and vendors, is available at www.ribtc.org. The conference also is posting information on is Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/RIBTC.

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