OTTAWA, Sept. 18, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Transit systems across Canada are at a pivotal moment in their history thanks to unprecedented levels of government investment, emerging technologies and community focused policy-makers. These trends and others will be examined in detail at the Canadian Urban Transit Association’s (CUTA) Transit Awareness Days in Ottawa. The annual event, which runs from September 18 to 20 will bring representatives from Canadian transit systems and transit manufacturers from across Canada to Ottawa to focus on how federal policy affects mobility in Canadian communities.
The first day will feature a Policy Forum at the Delta Hotel in Ottawa, with Amarjeet Sohi, Minister for Infrastructure and Communities, Dennis Dawson, Chair of the Senate Transport and Communications Committee, and Brent Toderian, Urbanist of TODERIAN UrbanWORKS and former Vancouver chief planner.
The second day will bring CUTA members onto Parliament Hill to discuss issues important to the industry and their communities. In one day, CUTA members will hold over 60 meetings with MPs, Senators, senior bureaucrats and other federal stakeholders. The day-long event will end with a reception hosted by the Speaker of the House of Commons in Centre Block.
“Transit Awareness Days is about sharing our industry’s expertise with the decision makers on Parliament Hill,” said Patrick Leclerc, President and CEO of CUTA. “Increased investment by all levels of government in transit are already yielding health, environmental and economic benefits for communities across Canada, we want to share that story and show how we can build on these positive trends.”
On Tuesday, September 19, CUTA and Transdev Canada will testify in front of the Senate Committee on autonomous vehicle technology and its impact on transit. In partnership with the Senate Committee on Transport and Communications, CUTA and Transdev have organized an autonomous shuttle demonstration on Parliament Hill that will take place Wednesday, September 20, between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. The demonstration is part of the Senate Committee’s study into the regulatory and technical issues related to the deployment of connected and automated vehicles.
About CUTA
CUTA is the collective and influential voice of public transportation in Canada, dedicated to being at the centre of urban mobility issues with all orders of government, and delivering the highest value to its members and the communities they serve. CUTA is the national association representing public transit systems, suppliers to the industry, government agencies, individuals and related organizations in Canada.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Jodie Hunt
Manager, Communications
289-383-3763
hunt@cutaactu.ca