Conference on International Best Practices in Transit Infrastructure Financing

Today, the need for public transportation is more urgent than ever because it is emerging as the only sustainable solution in meeting urban mobility demands and overcoming the known economic, social, and environmental problems of congestion and pollution in cities. While there are plenty of reasons for an informed commuter to select public transport over other modal choices, the economic downturn in the US has played a major role in increasing the ridership levels of its public transport systems to record highs. It is also evident in the current fiscal crisis that the financing of public transport systems (operating expenses and capital expenditure) can no longer be covered by the income from subsidies and fares alone.

US transit agencies and operators face the challenge of maintaining a huge transit asset portfolio that needs to be renewed, modernised and rehabilitated, that is, maintained in a state of good repair (SOGR), to provide world-class customer service with increased expectations regarding security and environmental sustainability. Initiatives such as the New and Small Starts Program present huge investment and business opportunities for the industry. In addition, SOGR, a basic investment need, creates opportunities for the industry to offer a variety of solutions such as technology applications to generate revenues and improve operational efficiency, public-private partnerships for infrastructure development, financing and maintenance mechanisms to lower costs, new cash management techniques for higher returns, joint development of real estate, and use of transit real estate to promote transit-oriented development.

The aim of this workshop is to provide insight into funding solutions for public transportation infrastructure. The objective is to present a frame of reference for decision-makers to select the financial structure for their public transportation system that best meets their city’s unique requirements.

Organising new sources of funding may require major institutional reforms, legislative or even constitutional changes. The workshop focuses on international best practices with the view that since we live in a globalised world, it is only prudent to gain exposure to and benefit from international experiences. Many issues are the same in cities all over the world and so it becomes all the more important to pool our knowledge and share expertise. Solutions are never transposable “as-is”; however, implementing even some of the proven measures, with an understanding of the specific context, may lead to innovations, producing remarkable results.

Saturday, October 1, 2011, Grand Salon A, Hilton New Orleans Riverside, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

We are very pleased to announce that Mr. Arthur Guzzetti, Vice President – Policy, American Public Transportation Association (APTA), will address the opening keynote session. The confirmed speakers include (in alphabetical order):

• Arthur Guzzetti, Vice President – Policy, APTA
• Anne O’Neil, Chief Systems Engineer, New York City Transit 
• Bill Mooney, Vice President – Rail, Halcrow Incorporated, USA
• Christian Messelyn, Transport Global Solutions Strategy & Concessions Vice President, Alstom Transport
• Dominique Maurel, Managing Director and Head of Financing, Mediobanca, France
• Jean Claude Ziv, Vice President and Professor of Public Transportation and Tourism Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers (CNAM), France
• Kuldeep Gharatya, Head – Systems for the Capital Programmes, Directorate of London Underground, UK
• Michael Schneider, APTA Chair of the PPP Committee and Managing Partner at InfraConsult LLC
• Raymond H. Ellis, Managing Director, Alternative Delivery Group, AECOM
• Robert Olivier, Director of National and International Affairs, Société de Transport de Montréal (STM)

For speaking opportunities still available, contact:

Namrta Bangia
Global Mass Transit
Email:namrta.bangia@globalmasstransit.net
Mobile:+ 44 20 7097 5717

Who should attend

The event is expected to draw participation from top executives, managers and decision-makers from:

• Public transport authorities and operators
• Policy makers and regulators
• Financiers and venture capitalists
• Industry consultants
• Technology and service providers
• Equipment manufacturers

Key benefits to participants

• Hear from international experts, regulators, financiers and key industry players about issues in transit infrastructure financing in the US and globally
• Understand the relevance of international financing experiences for the US transit capital programmes and state of good repair investments
• Explore lessons learnt from the US SOGR pilot projects (recently announced) and several international examples such as the London Underground
• Review the financial models for transit infrastructure financing
• Gain exposure to viable and profitable business strategies
• Discuss the regulatory/policy developments in securing financial resources for transit agencies and operators
• Understand the key challenges and assess the future requirements and market opportunities in transit infrastructure
• Participate in interactive discussions
• Network with those interested in driving change and finding solutions for transit capital programme management

DELEGATE FEES

The fee per delegate is $95

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Payment Policy

• Full payment must be received prior to the workshop in US dollars ($).

Cancellations

• Cancellations received in writing 30 days (August 31, 2011) before the date of the workshop will receive a full refund, minus a service charge/administration fee of $20. We regret that no refunds will be made for any cancellations received less than 30 days prior to the workshop.
• Substitutions/name changes are welcome at no extra charge. Please send these in writing at least two days prior to the workshop.

Disclaimer

• Global Mass Transit shall assume no liability whatsoever in case the event is postponed or cancelled due to a fortuitous event or unforeseen occurrence that renders the performance of this workshop impracticable, illegal or impossible. For purpose of this clause, a fortuitous event shall include, but not be limited to: war, fire, labour strike, extreme weather or other emergency. Global Mass Transit’s responsibility is limited to return of the registration fee only and is not liable for any cost in relation to travel and accommodation.
• Please note that it may become necessary for reasons beyond the control of the organisers to make alterations to the content and timing of the programme or speakers.

To register, send an email to registration@globalmasstransit.net

Sponsorship (Limited to four organizations)*

This workshop will provide an excellent opportunity for organisations involved with mass transit to showcase their products and services.

The deliverables include:

• Two delegate registrations (for the workshop)
• Table space at the venue
• Distribution of sponsor promotional material to each delegate
• Logo presence at the workshop
• Acknowledgement on workshop website
• A hyperlink to the sponsor’s website

* Available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For further information, contact:
Yasmeen Chopra
Global Mass Transit
Email: yasmeen.chopra@globalmasstransit.net
Tel: +91-11-46113914
Mobile: +91-9555437913

The event is being organised by Global Mass Transit in conjunction with the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA’s) 2011 Annual Meeting/EXPO.

Global Mass Transit is a leading provider of information and analysis on the global mass transit industry including metro, bus, light rail, regional rail and inter modal passenger transport. It publishes the Global Mass Transit Report (a monthly newsletter) and Global Mass Transit Weekly (a weekly update), and operates the www.globalmasstransit.net website.

Global Mass Transit provides information on all the key developments, trends and issues in the sector. It tracks major projects, contracts and investments. It profiles leading mass transit authorities/operators and discusses their strategies. It reports on regulatory initiatives and examines their implementation. It provides the latest available data and statistics. It also features the views and perspectives of experts and top industry players.

Our clients include leading global organizations such as Accenture, Acciona Infraestructuras, AECOM, Agence Metropolitaine de Transport (AMT), Ansaldo STS, AnsaldoBreda SpA, Ashok Leyland, BAE Systems, Bombardier Transportation, CAF, Clever Devices, Confidex Limited, Corredor Insurgentes SA de CV (CISA), DB Stadtverkehr GmbH, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, EvoBus GmbH (Daimler), GFI Genfare, Giesecke & Devrient GmbH, Halcrow, Harrington-Hughes & Associates Incorporated, Hoft & Wessel AG, HOK, HUBNER GmbH, IMG Consulting, INIT AG, IVU Traffic Technologies AG, KEOLIS, Knorr-Bremse SfS GmbH, Land Transport Authority Singapore, Luminator, Metropolitana Milanese SpA, Mobitec, NXP Semiconductors, Parker Hannifin Corporation, Poyry PLC, PricewaterhouseCoopers, RATP, Ringrollers – a division of DCD DORBYL, Rogers Corporation, Selectron Systems AG, Serco, Siemens, SNC-Lavalin, Sojitz Corporation, Swissrail, Tait Radio, Tata Realty and Infrastructure Limited, Technatomy Corporation, TEMSA Europe NV, Thales Rail Signalling Solutions, Thetis SpA, Traktionssysteme Austria, Trapeze Group, Unipart Rail, VDV-Kernapplikations GmbH & Co. KG, Vossloh Espana, WorleyParsons, ZF Friedrichshafen AG, etc.

Global Mass Transit is conducting this workshop in New Orleans immediately preceding APTA’s Annual Meeting and the EXPO, the largest public transit showcase in North America expected to attract over 17,000 professionals from the transportation industry. APTA members are public organisations, operators, consultants, construction companies, financiers, planning organisations, state departments of transportation, academic institutions and trade publications.

Conference Venue:

Hilton New Orleans Riverside
Two Poydras Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States 70130
Tel: 1-504-561-0500 Fax: 1-504-568-1721

The Hilton New Orleans Riverside is also the official 2011 Annual Meeting Headquarter hotel for APTA. The hotel is located in a prime downtown location on the banks of the Mississippi with the riverwalk at its doorstep and the city center, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, historic French Quarter, IMAX theatre, aquarium of the Americas, Arts District, etc. just a short walk away.

For registration and sponsorship opportunities:

Yasmeen Chopra
Global Mass Transit
Email: yasmeen.chopra@globalmasstransit.net
Tel: +91-11-46113914
Mobile: +91-9555437913

 For speaking opportunities:

Namrta Bangia
Global Mass Transit
Email:namrta.bangia@globalmasstransit.net
Mobile:+ 44 20 7097 5717

 To register, email us at registration@globalmasstransit.net or visit us at www.globalmasstransit.net