APPROVE out-of-state travel for one staff to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Rail Conference in Denver, Colorado in June 2018.

Transportation Agency rules require the Executive Committee to approve out-of-state travel requests not preauthorized in the Agency budget. The APTA Rail Conference is an opportunity to get up-to-date information on initiating and providing rail service.

The Rail Conference would cost $825 (by the early-bird deadline of April 27) or $875 (after April 27). Frontier Airlines has direct flights from San Jose for under $300 as of March 13. The conference hotel rate is $269 per night plus tax, and the state meal reimbursement maximum totals $46 per day, based on actual receipts. The total financial impact of registration and travel would be no more than $2,500. Registration, staff time and all travel related expenses will be covered by planning funds designated for travel and training in the budget.

The 2018 Rail Conference is scheduled for June 11-13, 2018, in Denver, CO. Workshops and technical sessions cover timely issues of widespread interest in operations, technology, safety, security, planning, finance, capital projects, and the technical aspects of providing all modes of rail service: urban, commuter, high-speed, and intercity. This conference features the industry’s premier products and services showcase to learn more about advances in railroad and rail transit markets.

Agency staff attended the 2017 APTA Rail Conference and found it extremely useful, attending such sessions as Large and Small Capital Investment Project case studies; USDOT update; Intercity Passenger Rail and High Speed Rail updates; and transit ballot measures. In addition to information gleaned during the sessions, the conference provided a great opportunity to network with rail professionals from across the country and the globe.

Administrative Policy No. 3 Official Travel requires Executive Committee approval for out-of-state travel not included in the Agency Budget Resolution.