In June, 247 transit professionals from 104 organizations gathered in Tampa at the USF Embassy Suites for the 2026 FPTA/FDOT/CUTR Professional Development Workshop & Transit Safety and Operations Summit. This one-of-a-kind workshop was held June 8−10 in partnership with the Florida Public Transportation Association (FPTA), Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), and the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR).
This statewide, one-stop workshop offered a professional development opportunity for Florida’s public transportation supervisors, front-line employees, and other key staff in operations, maintenance, planning, and administration. Participants learned from industry experts, received updates on current research, and connected with peers from across the state. Workshop attendees participated in educational training classes and general discussions that stimulated new ideas and explored creative approaches to problem solving and strategic planning.
A total of 82 speakers presented topics related to transit planning, operations, maintenance, safety, and security. Additional sessions addressed drug and alcohol testing programs, transit asset management, transit maintenance, public involvement, performance data, artificial intelligence, bus collisions, and fare free transit.
This year, the Workshop celebrated its 25th anniversary, marking a quarter-century of bringing transit professionals together to learn, connect, and grow. Transit has evolved dramatically during that time through technology, policy, and regulatory requirements, but its core purpose remains unchanged: developing knowledgeable professionals who help keep Florida communities connected.
What has not changed is why transit matters. Transit is access. It’s the single parent getting to work on time. The student reaching campus. The senior maintaining their independence. Every improvement made to a system, no matter how technical or incremental it may seem, has a human being on the other end of it. CUTR’s partnership with FDOT and FPTA will continue to cultivate talent, strengthen leadership, and drive the innovation transit needs for the next 25 years and beyond.
Thank you to everyone who attended, presented, or facilitated a session. Save the date for the 2027 FPTA/FDOT/CUTR Professional Development Workshop & Transit Safety and Operations Summit – June 7-9, 2027.
