BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Michael Atlas
Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)
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Mike Bismeyer
BetterFleet
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Marc Blanchet
Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM)
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Wes Brodhead
City of St-Albert
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Karen Cameron
Ontario Public Transit Association (OPTA)
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Josh Colle
Ernst & Young
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Wade Coombs
Strathcona County Transit
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Maureen Cosyn Heath
Hamilton Street Railway
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Tyson Cragg
Transit Windsor
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Tony D'Alessandro
Town of Milton
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Melissa Djurakov
Ministry of Transportation (Ontario)
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Barry Dykeman
United Safety and Survivability Corporation
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Sharon Fleming
Calgary Transit
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Dennis Fletcher
Dennis Fletcher & Associates
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Sarina Gersher
City of Saskatoon
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Nicolas Girard
Réseau de transport de la Capitale (RTC)
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Lynette Griffin
Regina Transit
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Yuval Grinspun
Left Turn Right Turn
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Vance Harris
DIALOG
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Carrie Hotton-MacDonald
Edmonton Transit Service
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Dennis Kar
Dillon Consulting
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Christos Kritsidimas
Nova Bus
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Sophie Le Blanc
Blaise Transit Ltd.
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Tim Luey
Niagara Transit Commission
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Étienne Lyrette
Société de transport de Montréal (STM)
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Chris MacIsaac
City of Airdrie
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Neil Malcolm
Grand River Transit
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Michael McDaniel
TransLink (Coast Mountain Bus Company)
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Jennifer McNeill
NFI Group Inc.
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Lorenzo Mele
ACT Canada
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Alain Mercier
Réseau de transport de la Capitale (RTC)
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Amy Miller
BusPas
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Alex Milojevic
Brampton Transit
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Lindy Norris
The Routing Company
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Kelly Paleczny
London Transit Commission
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Shilpa Panicker
Watt Consulting Group
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Doug Parker
ARCADIS IBI Group
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Scott Pass
Passenger Contracted Transportation Services Ltd.
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Judy Powell
St. John's Transportation Commission
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Björn Rådström
Winnipeg Transit
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Dave Reage
Halifax Transit
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Marc Rousseau
exo RTM
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Josée Roy
Société de transport de Laval (STL)
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Charlene Sharpe
Fredericton Transit
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Trever Sparrow
TripSpark Technologies
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Sophie St-Pierre
Société de transport de l’Outaouais (STO)
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Karen Thorburn
Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)
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Kirsten Watson
AECOM Canada Ltd.
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Shanon Zachidniak
City of Regina
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Pierre Zivec
Transdev Canada
National Committees
Business Members
The Business Members Committee represents the interests of CUTA Business Members relating to the policies and direction of the Association. Committee meetings are open to all CUTA Business members and participation is highly encouraged as they provide an opportunity for each and every business member to be involved in CUTA activities. Objectives of the Business Members committee include developing greater Business Member participation in CUTA activities, the development of better communication between government bodies and the business members and to provide CUTA with continuing Business Member support in its efforts to represent the Canadian public transit industry. There are multiple ad hoc sub-committees and task forces established throughout the year that offer additional opportunities to participate and make a meaningful contribution to the association and its members.
To learn more and to join, contact [email protected] today.
Communication and Public Affairs
The Communications and Public Affairs committee serves as a forum to exchange ideas and best practices regarding public affairs, marketing, and stakeholder communications. It also oversees CUTA’s advocacy and government relations activities.
To learn more and to join, contact [email protected] today.
Workforce Development
This committee, open to all CUTA members, assists members in promoting best workforce development practices through research, training and information exchange. Goals include identifying training-themed conference sessions; the development of training products and services; encouraging participation in steering committees, panels, studies, pilot projects, benchmarking groups, review and audit boards, task forces and subcommittees. Current priorities include workforce development, a review of CUTA training programs, youth engagement, succession planning, a diverse workforce, and leadership training.
Awards and Recognition Sub-Committee
This sub-committee of the Workforce Development Committee is responsible for the CUTA Individual and Corporate Awards Program. Members of the committee conduct an objective review of nominations received and determine winners in each category.
Operations Sub-Committee
This sub-committee of the Workforce Development Committee has as its aim to support operational excellence and innovation in the delivery of transit service. Sharing knowledge and perspectives on operations-related topics, the group will be open to operations managers and directors to gain insight into the changing landscape of operational delivery.
Labour Relations Networking Group
A working group of the Workforce Development Committee, this committee serves as a peer-to-peer discussion forum on current issues related to labour law, managing employee performance, handling grievances, collective bargaining strategies and techniques, collective agreements, operator handbooks, arbitration process and awards, standard operating procedures, diversity, human rights, and accommodation. The group meets every two months except July and August; secure document sharing is provided through CUTA’s Members’ Only Section.
Driver Trainer Networking Group
This working group of the Workforce Development Committee, is a networking opportunity for transit system driver trainers, instructors, and curriculum designers to share best practices, develop solutions, and explore cutting edge innovations in talent development and knowledge transfer with their peers. Document sharing is provided through CUTA’s Members’ Only Section. Current priority areas of discussion include onboard cameras, CVOR, Driver Certification Program and safe bus handling in close quarters.
Talent Acquisition and Recruiter Networking Group
This working group of the Workforce Development Committee meets 6 times per year by conference call or webinar to share best practices, tips, and strategies for finding and attracting the best people into our industry and support the efforts of transit systems’ talent acquisition staff. The group is open to any CUTA transit member who is interested in talent acquisition and recruiting.
Supervisors’ Networking Group
This working group of the Workforce Development Committee meets 6 times per year by conference call or webinar. Its aim is to support front-line supervisors within transit systems with best practices, knowledge and experience. The group will be open to all transit supervisors who want to share their experience and hear how others are working with similar challenges of the job.
Customer Orientation Task Force
The Customer Orientation Task Force was established with a 3 year mandate in 2014 to guide our members’ customer service activities and was aligned with CUTA Transit Vision 2040’s theme of focusing on customers. Its purpose was to create a new priority approach to customer service orientation within the Canadian transit industry. In addition to supporting industry-wide customer service information and research, the task force developed valuable tools for transit systems such as, a Passenger Charter template, Wayfinding Guide, and Voice of the Customer toolkit. All are available on CUTA’s website at no cost. As tools were developed, they were explored and tested at CUTA members and conferences. The task force has completed its mandate but may be re-initiated by members’ interest.
Youth and Emerging Leaders’ Task Force
This task force develops strategies that support a collaborative nation-wide approach to youth engagement for the Canadian public transit industry. Consistent with Transit Vision 2040 – Theme Six (Strengthening Knowledge and Practice), the youth engagement strategy will assist in preparing the Canadian transit industry for future staffing challenges and to develop new advocates for our industry. The strategy will address industry concerns regarding attracting and retaining adequate numbers of new employees with the necessary skills and qualifications and building awareness of opportunities in our industry.
To learn more and to join, contact [email protected] today.
Technical Services
The Technical Services Committee (TSC) promotes the goals of Transit Vision 2040 through the effectiveness of public transit, the encouragement of best practices in the industry by way of research and development and through the exchange of information in the areas of operations, planning, intelligent transportation systems technology (ITS), accessibility, specialized transit, bus design & maintenance, greening and alternative fuels, safety & security, and the application of ITS for public transit. The TSC regularly engages in new research for the transit and urban mobility industry.
Maintenance and Vehicle Technology Sub-committee
The Maintenance and Vehicle Technology Sub-Committee promotes the effectiveness of public transit and to encourage best practices in the industry by way of research and development and through the exchange of information in the areas of maintenance and vehicle technology.
Planning and ITS Sub-committee
The Planning & ITS Sub-Committee of the Technical Services Committee promotes the effectiveness of public transit and encourages best practices in the industry by way of research and development and through the exchange of information in the areas of planning & ITS.
Statistics Sub-committee
The Statistics Sub-Committee promotes the effectiveness of public transit, the standardization, use and distribution of Canadian transit statistical information and performance indicators. The Statistics Sub-committee is organized into smaller groups that further specialize in industry projects and initiatives.
Accessible Transit Sub-committee
The Accessible Transit Sub-Committee of the TSC promotes the effectiveness of public transit and encourages best practices in the industry by way of research and development and the exchange of information in the areas of specialized transit and other accessible transit options.
To learn more and to join, contact [email protected] today.
Transit Board Members
The Board Members Committee provides a forum for municipal decision-makers to exchange ideas and best practices on public transit. The Committee identifies current and emerging municipal issues of concern to the industry and provides assistance in resolving them. It also raises awareness and promotes the use of CUTA reports and activities throughout the municipal sector.
To learn more and to join, contact [email protected] today.
Regional Committees
The Regional committees and their sub-committees are open to all active CUTA members in the respective regions.
Atlantic Regional Committee
This committee represents the interests of all CUTA members in the Atlantic region. The committee offers an opportunity to share information and ideas relevant to Atlantic public transit systems, advance CUTA’s transit advocacy role and identify areas of mutual concern in the Atlantic region for action.
Québec Regional Committee
This committee represents the interests of CUTA members in Québec by providing a forum for Québec-specific issues affecting transit systems, manufacturers and suppliers. The committee works in close collaboration with other Québec associations such as the Association du transport urbain du Québec (ATUQ) and the Association Québécoise des transports (AQTr). Members address topics such as electrification of transport, traditional and alternative transit funding mechanisms, sustainable and integrated mobility, the strength of the transit supply chain, etc. The committee is open to all members located in the province of Québec.
Ontario Regional Committee
This committee represents the interests of CUTA members in Ontario and complements the work of the Ontario Public Transit Association (OPTA) by providing a forum for Ontario-specific issues affecting the public transit and urban mobility industry. Priorities include input to provincial policy development, regulatory oversight, assisting members with municipal advocacy and engaging municipal elected officials. The committee works with OPTA in developing submissions to provincial budgets and other legislative matters.
Prairie Provinces and Territories Committee
This highly engaged and motivated community of members from Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon meets face-to-face twice a year for one-and-a-half days in addition to ad hoc discussions throughout the year using the Members’ Only Section of CUTA’s website. Members in this community promote the advancement of all matters related to the public transit industry–whether it is the New 10-year Building Canada Plan, Alberta’s Green Trip program, fuel hedging or other infrastructure initiatives. The community tackles issues and offers peer-to-peer information and support on a wide range of transit related topics including policies, procedures, risk factors, and success statistics – from on board cameras, pilot programs for CNG and electric buses, labour relations, recruitment, to training.
The bi-annual meetings are accompanied by product demonstrations from CUTA business members – a great opportunity for business members to meet their end user clients. In addition, the Chapter hosts an annual 2-day workshop for Fleet, Operations, and Training managers and front-line staff.
British Columbia Regional Committee (BCRC)
The British Columbia Regional Committee (BCRC) shares information and ideas relevant to British Columbia public transportation systems, advances CUTA’s transit advocacy role and identifies areas of mutual concern or interest in the Province of British Columbia for action.
The BCRC has one sub-committee:
Safety & Security
This sub-committee focuses on the mitigation of safety & security transit issues in B.C., as well as research around sentencing and deterrents. The work reaches out broadly to other provinces to help inform their mandate.