for Journalists
Canadian Urban Transit Association
Contact1: Maureen Shuell. Manager of Communications
Phone (Bus): (416)365-9800 Ext 105
(Fax): (416)365-1295
E-mail: shuell@cutaactu.caContact2: Michael Roschlau, President & CEO
Phone (Bus): (416)365-9800 Ext 104
(Fax): (416)365-1295Address: 1401 - 55 York Street, Toronto, ON M5J 1R7
Web Site: www.cutaactu.ca
Other Locations:
CUTA, Ottawa Office, 1500 St. Laurent Boulevard, Ottawa, Ontario K1G 0Z8
(613)842-3616
Keys: Air Quality; Bus Manufacturers; Buses; Commuting; Climate Change; Emissions From Vehicles; Energy / Transit; Environment; Environment / Role of Public Transit; Environment / Role of Public Transportation; Global Warming; Greenhouse Gas; Gridlock; Ground-Level Ozone; Infrastructure; Inter-City Transit; Intermodal Passenger Transportation; Kyoto; Kyoto Accord; Light Rail; Local Transportation; Mass Transit; Municipal Planning; Municipal Transit; On-line Training; Passenger Trains; Passenger Transportation; Public Transit; Public Transit Equipment; Public Transit Safety; Public Transportation; Rapid Transit; Regional Transportation; Research in Transit; Smog; Social Investment; Social Issues; Streetcars; Subway Cars; Subways; Sustainable Transportation; Training in Transportation; Transit; Transit Ambassador; Transit Awareness; Transit Funding; Transit Maintenance; Transit Statistics; Transit Training; Transportation; Transportation / Disabled Persons; Transportation / Environmental Issues; Transportation Education; Transportation Industries; Transportation Planning; Transportation Policy; Transportation Policy / National; Transportation Statistics; Transportation Studies; Transportation Trade Shows; Transportation Training; Urban Environment Infrastructure; Urban Planning; Urban Sprawl; Urban Transit; Urban Transportation; Vehicle Maintenance; Ontario*.
Expertise: Established 1904; 14 employees. CUTA is the association of providers of urban transit services, suppliers and related organizations of Canada. Its mission is to promote the role of urban transit in enhancing mobility, and to support its members in the fulfilment of their mandate.
The Canadian Urban Transit Association has long been recognized as "The Voice of Canada's Urban Transit Industry." CUTA's work is known around the world through activities such as the Transit Ambassador program and our research programs. With offices in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, CUTA's staff includes transit professionals and support staff who have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. The team is led by CUTA's President and Chief Executive Officer.
The Canadian Urban Transit Association was organized in Montréal on December 20th, 1904 as the Canadian Street Railway Association. In 1913, the Association became known as the Canadian Electric Railway Association. In 1932, the name was changed to the Canadian Transit Association and the present title was adopted at the Annual Meeting in 1973.
The majority of urban transit systems in Canada from Victoria and Vancouver to Halifax and St. John's, are members. Membership includes 100 transit systems, 10 government agencies (Federal, Provincial and Municipal), 200 business members (the firms or persons engaged in the manufacture or sale of transit equipment or services), and 50 affiliates.
Mandate:
· To be the voice of urban transit in Canada;
· To be the national forum on industry-related issues;
· To promote a better image of urban transit;
· To promote strategies and deliver programs designed to:
· foster the adoption and application of legislation, regulation and policies which are supportive of urban transit by all levels of government;
· enhance the competitiveness and productivity of urban transit by promoting and supporting research and development, training and the exchange of information;
· better understand the needs of current and potential transit customers and to improve the quality of service to these customers; and,
· increase the inter-modal competitiveness of urban transit and to increase its market share.
Features:
· Public policy review and pursuit of key issues to influence government support for public transit;
· Development of tools to build awareness of public transit;
· Championing the cause of public transit, at the political and public levels;
· Mobilizing the transit industry through grassroots advocacy;
· Statistical activities for the transit industry;
· Research on priority strategic issues for public transit;
· Review and liaison with technical and regulatory issues affecting public transit;
· Management and delivery of established transit-specific training programs;
· Review of education and training needs related to public transit;
· Developing and implementing an on-line electronic learning function for the transit industry;
· Examining the impact of public transit on health.
Story Ideas:
2008
February 26, 2008: Federal Budget Takes Major Positive Steps to Support Transit
February 4, 2008: Transit Infrastructure Investment Critical: CUTA
2007
December 13, 2007: $500 Million Investment a Significant Commitment to Transit Needs
November 27, 2007: CUTA Reinforces Call for Tax Law Changes to Support Employer-Provided Transit Passes - UK Transit Benefit Programs Begin
November 20, 2007: Transit use rises in first half of 2007
November 14, 2007: CUTA Presents 2007 National Employee Recognition Awards
November 12, 2007: Media Advisory - Trans-Expo 2007 Showcases North America's Transit and Bus Industry in Québec City; Minister of Transport Reinforces Federal Commitment to Public Transit
November 9, 2007: CUTA's National Transit Conference Opens in Québec City
October 15, 2007: CUTA Reinforces Call for a National Transit Strategy
October 2, 2007: What Provincial Leaders are Saying about Transit
June 27, 2007: Canadian Transit Ridership continues to Break Records
June 15, 2007: CUTA and OPTA Applaud Ontario's Transit Revolution of the GTA
June 12, 2007: CUTA presents 2007 National Corporate Recognition Awards
June 8, 2007: National Transit Conference Opens in Halifax, Nova Scotia - Media Advisory
March 22, 2007: Ontario budget continues to deliver for transit
March 19, 2007: Federal budget stops short of predictable funding for public transit
March 7, 2007: CUTA Applauds Funding Announcements in Ontario and Québec
March 5, 2007: National Transit Strategy Endorsed by CUTA - Action Needed Now
February 6, 2007: National Transit Strategy essential in responding to demand for public transit services
February 5, 2007: CUTA Calls for National Transit Strategy
2006
December 19, 2006: Transit use climbs in first six months of 2006
December 13, 2006: Transit needs more from federal government according to new poll
November 8, 2006: CUTA presents 2006 National Employee Recognition Awards
November 6, 2006: Trans-Expo 2006 Showcases North America's Transit and Bus Industry in Toronto
July 13, 2006: Former Bogota Mayor to give Keynote Address at Third International Youth Summit on Sustainable Urban Transportation
July 11, 2006: Minister Cannon to open International Youth Summit on Sustainable Urban Transportation
June 28, 2006: Transit Pass Tax Credit Begins July 1, 2006
May 30, 2006: CUTA Presents 2006 National Corporate Recognition Awards
May 26, 2006: National Transit Conference Opens in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
May 25, 2006: Federal Environment Minister launches the Canadian Urban Transit Association's (CUTA) Clean Air Day Sustainable Transportation campaign
May 24, 2006: National Clean Air Day campaign launched by Federal Minister of the Environment
May 23, 2006: Canadians Taking Transit at Record Level
May 19, 2006: Canadians Taking Transit at Record Level
May 2, 2006: Federal Budget confirms commitment to public transit
April 5, 2006: Transit Infrastructure Investment Critical along with Tax Credit Initiatives
April 4, 2006: Transit Infrastructure Needs and the Proposed Tax Credit for Transit Users
March 23, 2006: Transit Budget Good for Ontario
February 6, 2006: CUTA welcomes Minister Lawrence Cannon
January 18, 2006: Transit Association Releases Election Comparative
January 12, 2006: Urban Transit raised as key election issue
January 11, 2006: Media Advisory - Transit to Comment on Federal Election Priorities
CUTA Comments on Federal Election Platforms
2005
November 23, 2005: CUTA welcomes public transit security initiatives
November 18, 2005: CUTA Presents 2005 National Employee Recognition Awards; CUTA's National Transit Conference Opens in Vancouver
October 21, 2005: Transit ridership continues to climb
October 6, 2005: Transit Industry Applauds Federal Confirmation of Funds
July 7, 2005: Transit systems respond to London terrorist attacks with increased vigilance
May 27, 2005: National Transit Conference Opens in Gatineau Québec
May 11, 2005: Environment Minister launches the Canadian Urban Transit Association Clean Air Day Sustainable Transportation Campaign
April 27, 2005: CUTA Looks Forward to Transit Amendment Passing in the Federal Budget
April 15, 2005: Public Transit Industry Welcomes First Federal-Provincial Gas Tax Agreement
February 23, 2005: Transit Applauds Federal Budget Measures
February 15, 2005: Transit a Kyoto Solution
2004
November 26, 2004: Transit Association Delighted With Expansion of Transit Pass Program November 25, 2004: Public Transit Ridership Continues Growth
November 10, 2004: National Employee Recognition Awards
October 22, 2004: Public Transit Industry Applauds Ontario Dedicated Gas Tax
June 16, 2004: National Transit Conference Closes In St. John's With NL Minister Of Education
June 15, 2004: Transit Conference Features David Suzuki And National Transit Awards
June 11, 2004: Urban Transit Association Supports Partnerships Between Cities, Provinces And The Federal Government
June 8, 2004: CUTA WINS 2004 Globe Award
June 2, 2004: Clean Air Day Reminds Canadians To Reduce Air Pollution And Help Tackle Climate Change
May 25, 2004: Youth Gather In Ottawa To Discuss Sustainable Urban Transportation
May 18, 2004: Public Transit Welcomes Ontario Gas Tax Commitment
May 4, 2004: Environment Minister Launches Clean Air Day Campaign
April 6, 2004: CUTA Selected As Winner Of Globe 2004 Award
March 30, 2004: Transit Funding For Toronto A Move In The Right Direction
March 23, 2004: Transit Encouraged By Federal Budget Initiatives - But Measures Fall Far Short Of Meeting Transit's Needs
February 2, 2004:Throne Speech Opens Door For Transit Funding
January 16, 2004: Transit Funding Innovations Require Federal And Provincial Action
2003
November 26, 2003: Transit Applauds Urban Transportation Showcase Program
November 19, 2003 Public Transit Ridership Continues Growth
November 7, 2003: CUTA's National Transit Conference Opens in Toronto
September 15, 2003: Canadian Urban Transit Association To Present Submission To House Of Commons Finance Committee Recommending Sustained Program For Direct Investment in Transit
July 23, 2003: Public Transit Is A Major Economic Driver In Canadian Cities
July 03, 2003: Public Transit Ridership Continues Impressive Growth
June 03, 2003: National Transit Conference Closes on Clean Air Day
June 02, 2003: Transit Conference Features Winnipeg Mayor and National Corporate Transit Awards
May 30, 2003: National Transit Conference Opens in Winnipeg - Media Advisory
May 15, 2003:Clean Air Day Launch
May 7, 2003 : CUTA Pleased By Ontario's Yield To Bus Law
March 28, 2003: Transit Disappointed with Ontario Budget
March 27, 2003: CUTA Welcomes Federal Transit Investment
March 20, 2003: CUTA Applauds Quebec Government Measures to Encourage Public Transit Use
February 25, 2003: Public Transit Industry Welcomes Federal Vision for Transportation
February 18, 2003: Federal Budget Does Not Respond to Public Transit Investment Needs
January 16, 2003: Transit Associations Welcome Ontario Government's Support for Public Transit
2002
November 19, 2002: Transit Association Applauds Federal Urban Strategy Report
November 1, 2002: National Transit Conference Opens in Calgary
October 22, 2002: Transit Funding Gains Public Support
October 7, 2002: Polling Confirms Public Support for Transit
September 30, 2002: Good News for Transit in Today's Throne Speech
August 12, 2002: Gas Tax Funding for Transit: Collenette on Right Track
July 29, 2002: Public Transit Ridership Remains Strong
June 6, 2002: Transit's National Conference at Crowne Plaza Ottawa
June 5, 2002: Transit Association Committed to Promoting Shift to Sustainable Transportation