August 2, 2007

Dear Participants:

On Behalf of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), also on its actor, it is an honor for me to speak on the opening ceremony of CPN 1st China Urban Transportation Congress. Our vision is delivering force and advancing public transportation; our mission is to strengthen and improve public transportation. We accomplish this goal by diverse membership, innovation and information sharing. APTA represents over 1,500 member organizations in United States, Canada and internationally. Our members of transit systems, manufactures, suppliers, contractors, consultants, government agencies, state associations. There are 6,000 transit systems in the United States, public transportation represents a 44 billion industry. It is building and supporting a strong economy, as well as supporting employment. There are over 366,000 operating employees, as well as 12,000 capital employees.

Tomorrow morning, I will join a panel with experts in the section titled: China Urban Public Transportation: A New Era. My presentation will address the role of public transportation in a few key areas, specifically, promoting a diverse expensive and forward thinking industry, building a strong economy, conserving energy and reducing congestion, protecting environment and improving air quality and health, proving critical support during emergencies and disasters, offering mobility for small urban and rural areas, serving as a catalyst for increase real-estate values in development, providing access for all ages and finally delivering a central healthy human services.

Over the next few days, we have an opportunity to share best practices, lessons learned and creative solutions for improving public transportation options.

Again, I’m glad to be here and I wish each of you a productive and informative congress, thank you.

Pamela Boswell
Vice President of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA)