The challenges facing public transit during the global pandemic are well-known, with low ridership, safety concerns for workers, and looming fiscal concerns. In response, agency heads are being forced to change how they operate. But change is hard and transit boards are sometimes reluctant to try new approaches, leverage new technologies, and engage in new partnerships. This webinar features public transit leaders who will focus on how to manage change, the barriers in doing so, and what innovations are on the horizon.
Speakers:
Alice N. Bravo, P.E., Director, Transportation and Public Works
Gary C. Thomas, President/Executive Director, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)
Tina Quigley, Waycare Advisory Board, Former CEO, Regional Transportation Commission
Rob Puentes, President and CEO, Eno Center for Transportation
Watch the Recording:
Alice N. Bravo, P.E., was appointed Director of Miami-Dade Transit in July 2015. In February 2016, Ms. Bravo was appointed Director of the of the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW), which merged the County’s Transit and Public Works functions under one department. DTPW operates the 15th largest public transit system in the United States, and the largest in Florida. This includes the Metrobus fleet that runs approximately 28.9 million miles through most areas of Miami-Dade County; the electrically-powered, elevated, 25-mile rapid transit Metrorail system; the 4.4-mile elevated Metromover; and the paratransit service (Special Transportation Service) that meets the needs of the disabled. Throughout her career, Ms. Bravo has managed numerous diversified public-private partnership projects including the $1 billion Port Miami tunnel; the innovative I-95 Express Project; and the $550 million S.R. 826-S.R. 836 interchange reconstruction project. Ms. Bravo also oversaw a $573 million capital improvement program at the City of Miami, and was responsible for implementing the city’s trolley circulator system. Ms. Bravo is a licensed Civil Engineer with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami and a Master’s in Business Administration from Florida International University.
Gary C. Thomas is president/executive director of Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). He is responsible for a 13-city transit system covering 700-square mile service area with bus, light rail, commuter rail, and paratransit services. Under his leadership DART has doubled its light rail system – twice – to become the nation’s longest at 93 miles. The agency has been recognized for innovation in developing a progressive clean fuels program for its bus fleet, advancing new models for local bus and paratransit service and customer-facing communication technology and service. DART is also a recognized leader in the global advancement of the Mobility as a Service (MaaS) movement with its use of targeted demand-response transit service matched with new customer tools for fare payment and trip planning. Thomas administers the goals and policies of the DART Board of Directors and directs the agency’s top managers and approximately 4,000 employees, emphasizing a strong customer focus. He works closely with service area city governments and the public in developing short- and long-term transportation and mobility goals. Thomas joined DART in November 1998. He was a consulting engineer for 19 years prior to that. He has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Bachelor of Architecture from Texas Tech University.
Tina Quigley served as CEO for the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada until her retirement in November of last year. Named the most efficient transit system in America under her leadership, the RTC oversees public transportation, traffic management, road construction and funding, and regional planning for a city of 2.2 million residents and 43 million annual visitors. During her tenure, Quigley embraced and fought for sweeping technological advances, advocated for comprehensive future planning, and built critical partnerships to position the Las Vegas Valley for ongoing and sustained economic vitality. Quigley began her career as a manager at McCarran International Airport, one of the nation’s busiest airports. She is a licensed pilot and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Business and Planning from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and is an alumni of Harvard Business School Program for Leadership Development. She is active on several boards including the Desert Research Institute Foundation, Vegas Chamber, Nevada Institute of Autonomous Systems, International Women’s Forum, and the Fulfillment Fund of Las Vegas. Tina is an avid believer in the application of data and analytics for advancing safety in mobility. She recently joined Waycare Technologies as an advisory board member to help accelerate the conversation and adoption of these life saving initiatives.
