The Southern California Transit Forum is a summit for transit agency officials and transit-focused advocates and leaders. The forum offers opportunities to share views and consider potential solutions to meet the current transit funding challenge and preserve the future of transit in Southern California.

Invited keynote speakers include James Earp, California Alliance for Jobs and California Transportation Commissioner, and Therese McMillan, Deputy Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration, who will share their perspectives about the transit funding crisis.

Josh Shaw, Executive Director of the California Transit Association, and Will Kempton, CEO of the Orange County Transportation Authority, will provide an overview of the state transit budget crisis. Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez is expected to share a special message about federal transit activities.

Curt Pringle, Anaheim Mayor and Chairman of the High-Speed Rail Authority, will provide an update on high-speed rail opportunities.

Richard Katz, L.A. Metro and California High-Speed Rail Authority Board Member, will offer his views on the state of transit funding.

Other forum highlights include:

  • A dialogue with State leadership moderated by Lucy Dunn, Commissioner of the California Transportation Commission and CEO of the Orange County Business Council.
  • An issues discussion with an eye towards developing transit funding solutions. Speakers include Arthur T. Leahy, CEO of L.A. Metro, and Hasan Ikhrata, CEO of the Southern California Association of Governments, and other state and federal elected officials.
  • A message about transit from Patrick D. Kelly, Secretary-Treasurer and Principal Officer of Teamsters Local 952.
  • Stakeholder perspectives – real life experiences and impacts of the transit funding crisis with transit advocates and community and business leaders.

Transportation and business leaders, policy makers, labor representatives, transit advocates and members of the general public interested in transportation policies and their impact on the community.
  • State transit funding crisis/legislative and legal options/proposed ballot initiatives
  • Federal funding opportunities
  • Economic impacts and stakeholder perspectives
  • Update on California high-speed rail

Friday, Feb. 5, 2010, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m
Paul and Daranne Folino Theater, Chapman University, Orange, California

Orange County Business Council & Disneyland Resort-sponsored luncheon noon to 1:30 p.m.
Beckman Hall, Chapman University, Orange, California
(Cost is $15.00 per person. RSVP as seating is limited.)

Orange County Business Council-sponsored reception 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Law School at Kennedy Hall, Chapman University, Orange, California

For the transit forum: RSVP by Feb. 1 to Peggy Wandelear at 714.560.5939 or pwandelear@octa.net.

For the OCBC Luncheon: reservations required; as seating is limited. Cost: $15.00 per person. RSVP with the OCBC.