TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Salvador Llamas, General Manager/Chief Executive Officer
SUBJECT: Employee and Non-Employee Out of State Travel
BRIEFING ITEM
AGENDA PLANNING REQUEST: ☐
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider receiving the Semi-Annual Employee and Non-Employee Out-of-State Travel Report for the first half of FY 2025-26.
Staff Contact:
Chris Andrichak, Chief Financial Officer
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - High-Performing Workforce
Initiative - Employee Recruitment, Training and Retention
Employee travel is necessary and/or useful for both employees and the District. Having employees travel to attend in-person training enhances their knowledge and work performance, and conferences and industry events benefit both the employee and the District’s business and profile.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
The travel activity shown was included in the FY 2025-26 Operating Budget.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
In accordance with Administrative Regulation 251A, this report details employee travel that occurred during the period of July 1, 2025, to December 30, 2025, and a summary of the conferences/workshops, attendees, purposes, and costs:
APTA DC fly-in -Washington, DC
This gathering of transit agency representatives focused on advocating for public transit and funding initiatives, including in-person meetings with Members of Congress to discuss relevant legislation. It was attended by one employee. The cost was $2,013.
APTA Tech and Committee Meeting - Miami, Florida
This event is for transit leaders focused on technology as well as transit system employees, managers, planners, contractors, suppliers, manufacturers, and consultants. Key focus areas include fare collection and ticketing, cybersecurity, technology procurement and implementation, technology workforce development, zero-emission initiatives, autonomous and connected vehicles, and mobility management. Attended by one employee. The cost was $3,261.
APTA Transform Conference - Boston, Massachusetts
The APTA TRANSform Conference represents a significant opportunity for professionals in the public transportation sector to collaborate, share insights, and help shape the future of mobility in America. The conference focuses on the evolving landscape of public transportation and features industry leaders, policy discussions, and innovative solutions impacting transit agencies nationwide. The total cost of attendance for four employees was $14,107.
APTA Winter Legislative - Washington, DC
APTA Winter Legislative Meeting in Washington, D.C. was attended by Director Joel Young and one employee. In coordination with the District’s federal advocate, Steve Palmer, they met with the offices of Senator Adam Schiff, Representative Lateefah Simon, Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, and Rep. John Garamendi, as well as key congressional committee staff. A key topic was ensuring transit agency representation on metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs). They also joined peer transit operators in advocating for $400 million in federal funding to support transit during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In addition, Dir. Young participated in the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) World Cup Summit hosted by Secretary Sean Duffy and Marcus Molinaro, Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The total employee cost was $2,176.
COMTO-54th National Conference - New York, New York
The Conference Of Minority Transportation Officials National Meeting & Training Conference was attended by an employee who also had the opportunity to serve as a speaker for the Professional Development Committee. The conference featured breakout sessions focused on strengthening interpersonal and supervisory skills, sound decision-making, performance appraisals, and strategies for holding employees accountable. The cost was $4,291.
Mpact Transit& Community Conference - Portland Oregon
This conference focuses on the potential of transit to enhance connected mobility, supportive land use, and community development. Attended by one employee and the cost was $1,553.
National Cybersecurity Consortium Conference - New York, New York
This conference on Achieving New Heights in Cybersecurity and Privacy offered breakout sessions on managing cyber risk challenges, authentication systems for banking innovation, and social engineering in cybersecurity. The conference was attended by one employee at a cost of $1,998.
New Flyer Assembly Plant - Anniston, Alabama
The purpose of the visit was to conduct a configuration audit of a nine articulated fuel cell bus purchase during production. The work was conducted at the New Flyer assembly plant in Anniston, Alabama. This audit involves a comprehensive review of the first production bus to come off the assembly line. The bus is inspected from top to bottom, inside and out, to identify any defects. Plant staff are required to correct any identified deficiencies. In addition, the bus is reviewed to ensure it meets AC Transit’s technical specifications prior to approval for delivery. AC Transit was represented by five employees. The total cost of attendance was $8,619.
Northwest Transit Exchange - Seattle, Washington
This two-day regional conference, created and attended by local transit agency staff, provided a welcoming environment to make connections and explore new ideas. Participants discuss relevant challenges and innovations affecting public transit in both urban centers and smaller communities across the Northwest. Each conference attendee is required to present the top challenges and projects at their respective transit agency. In this manner, the conference fosters an interactive exchange of information where no attendee is a spectator but rather a presenter and contributor. There is an emphasis on discussion, so that attendees don't just sit and watch presentations; rather they stay actively engaged. Attended by one employee at a cost of $1,501.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
There are no notable advantages or disadvantages to this report.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:
This report does not recommend an action
PRIOR RELEVANT BOARD ACTION/POLICIES:
251A - Travel and Meeting Expense Reimbursements for Employees
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Employee Out-of-State Travel, FY 2025-26 (July - December)
Prepared by:
Shay Otenbriet, Executive Administrative Assistant
Approved/Reviewed by:
Chris Andrichak, Chief Financial Officer