We’re proud of our team for taking part in the transit industry’s biggest show of the year and reinforcing WeDriveU’s commitment to leading transit solutions and innovations. Here are our favorite moments.

This year’s APTA TRANSform Conference lived up to its name, bringing together 3,100 transit leaders, innovators, and changemakers to reimagine the future of public transportation. WeDriveU’s team was on the ground in Boston engaging with industry peers, connecting with customers and partners, and contributing to the conversations shaping the future of transit.

Optimism, Resilience and Bold Leadership

The conference kicked off with a powerful opening keynote from Bert Jacobs, co-founder and CEO of Life is Good, who set the tone for this year’s conference by emphasizing optimism, resilience, and bold leadership in times of change. From there, the agenda spanned everything from artificial intelligence (AI) in transit to workforce development, equity in mobility, and project management best practices.

The Benefits of Private Contracting in Transit

One of the standout sessions was on “Private Management of Transit Bus, Rail, and Paratransit Operations,” with WeDriveU’s President & CEO and NATA Vice Chair, Erick Van Wagenen, joining transit agency leaders Michele Stiehler (MBTA), Doran Barnes (Foothill Transit), NATA Chair Laura Hendricks (Transdev) and moderator Nadine S. Lee (DART).

The panel explored how private contractors bring innovation, safety, and workforce engagement to public transit, followed by a lively audience Q&A discussing how the private sector helps agencies stay agile and responsive to customer needs.

WeDriveU’s Sr. Director of Customer Success Marissa Basile praised the panel for exploring how “contracting out with subject matter experts allows agencies to be agile, try out new technologies and focus on customer needs.”

Watch the panel highlight reel for takeaways that reinforced the value of collaboration between private operators and public agencies. Thanks to UZURV for sponsoring the session.

Inspiring Capstones

The Leadership APTA Class of 2025 “Capstone Presentations” were a favorite of Customer Success Director Molly Tracy.

She added, “The Leadership APTA capstone presentations were awesome. I learned about AI corporate policy recommendations, capital projects, what to do in your first days as a CEO, and safety in a post-COVID world.”

Leading in Transit

Sessions like “What I Wish I Had Known Before Stepping Into the C-Suite,” moderated by Monica Backmon (Northern VA Transportation Authority), offered candid leadership advice about building support systems and leading authentically. The panel featured transit CEOs Frank White (Kansas City Area Transportation Authority), Richard Davey (Massachusetts Port Authority) and Nadine Lee (DART).

The session made an impression on Joanna Rustin, WeDriveU’s SVP Marketing, Communications & Community, who appreciated Frank’s advice not to let your ego stop you from asking questions or getting help from others when you’re at the top.

“Whether you lead an agency, company, department or team, Frank emphasized how much there is to gain from reaching out to your network and tapping into a sounding board,” she said.

Frank recommended aligning with a coach and shouted out his own mentor, industry icon and APTA Hall of Famer Carolyn Flowers, who was in the audience cheering him on. Joanna added, “It’s always great to see how many people Carolyn has impacted in such positive ways. She’s someone I admire and appreciate for her industry advice, involvement on our parent company’s Board, and as a champion and speaker for our Women’s Inspiration Network members and allies community at WeDriveU.”

Igniting Possibilities

Seyi Osiyemi, General Manager for WeDriveU in Charlotte, NC (serving CATS), found the “Ignite Innovation Talks” very inspiring.

“It feels great watching some of the industry’s ‘legends’ being celebrated. The Donaghy family is such an inspiration,” he said.

Seyi, who also participated in APTA’s Workforce Development Committee meeting in Boston, said, “I’m looking forward to being part of the Labor and Employee Relations sub-committee that’s looking at improving bus operator schedules.”

Allyship Shines

The conference was alive with connections and community. WeDriveU was proud to return as a sponsor and champion, with our friends at Spare, for APTA’s LGBTQ+ Resource Group Reception. It brought together a fun crowd for networking, including WeDriveU’s East Coast Operations leaders, and was energizing to see such strong participation and allyship – a reminder that relationships and shared purpose drive our industry forward.

More Favorite APTA Moments

• The APTA Honors luncheon was incredibly inspiring. We cheered for one of our customer transit agencies among the winners and applaud all the 2025 honorees.
• The strong presence of FTA staff and the keynote from Administrator Marc Molinaro at APTA signaled a strong commitment to public-private sector collaboration on challenges and opportunities in transit and we’re thrilled to contribute to solutions. ICYMI, catch the replay of the Administrator’s keynote.
• Memorable soundbites echoed throughout the week, including the reminder from Monica Tibbits-Nutt (MassDOT) that “Equity is not a buzzword, it’s a lifeline.”

We left Boston inspired to bring these lessons back to our colleagues and customers and to continue pushing transit forward with creativity and a people-first mindset. Many thanks to APTA’s Board, staff, committees, volunteers and MBTA for the hospitality and for making this an APTA to remember.

Learn more about the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).