Location: Hyatt Regency Cincinnati
Stop by our registration table to say hello, pick up your name badge and some goodies, and get ready for a great event. We can't wait to see you!
1:45 - 2:00 p.m.: Tour Pick-Up at Hyatt Regency
Locations:
- Government Square Transit Center
- Northside Transit Center
- Queensgate Facility
Location: Cincinnati Museum Center
Complimentary transportation will be provided between the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati and Cincinnati Museum Center. Outbound shuttle service will operate from 5:45–6:15 PM, with two buses available to transport guests to the Museum Center and additional service provided as needed. Return shuttle service to the Hyatt will be available from 8:00–9:15 PM, with buses circulating as needed throughout the evening. Guests who prefer to drive may park at the Cincinnati Museum Center; parking is included with the event room rental. Guests arriving before 5:00 PM may receive a parking ticket upon entry, but no validation or payment is necessary—the exit arm will be raised after regular museum hours.
Location: Cincinnati Museum Center
Complimentary transportation will be provided between the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati and Cincinnati Museum Center. Outbound shuttle service will operate from 5:45–6:15 PM, with two buses available to transport guests to the Museum Center and additional service provided as needed. Return shuttle service to the Hyatt will be available from 8:00–9:15 PM, with buses circulating as needed throughout the evening. Guests who prefer to drive may park at the Cincinnati Museum Center; parking is included with the event room rental. Guests arriving before 5:00 PM may receive a parking ticket upon entry, but no validation or payment is necessary—the exit arm will be raised after regular museum hours.
Location: Hyatt Regency Cincinnati
Breakfast Room: Regency BC
Room: Regency A
Introduction: Andrew Aiello, CEO, Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority
Welcome: Stephanie Summerow Dumas, President, Hamilton County Commissioner
NEORide Board of Trustees Meeting
Transit Presentations by:
- Gina Douthat, General Manager, TANK
- Justus Wlker, Interim Director, Transit Division, Johnson County Transit
- Dina Reed, Deputy CEO and CFO, Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority
Room: Regency BC
Presentation: Lunch Spotlight: Cincinnati METRO’s Journey, Successes, and Next Steps
Presenters: Andy Aiello, CEO & Khaled Shammout, Deputy Innovation and Vision Officer
Location: Hyatt Regency Cincinnati
Room: Regency E
Transit workforce development is no longer a separate planning exercise. As agencies modernize fleets, adopt new vehicle technologies, and introduce new tools into daily operations, they must also prepare operators, technicians, supervisors, trainers, and support staff for changing systems, responsibilities, and operating demands. This session will explore how workforce development can better support fleet modernization, with a focus on practical strategies agencies can apply in the real world. CALSTART will frame the discussion through its work across clean transportation, technology transition, and transit engagement. The session will also include perspectives from TARTA and Xpan, connecting workforce planning, agency implementation, and training innovation. Discussion will focus on common workforce challenges tied to modernization, including skill gaps, training needs, recruitment and retention pressures, supervisor readiness, and the need for stronger coordination between agencies, training providers, labor, vendors, and other partners. The session will also examine lessons learned, promising approaches, and near-term actions agencies can take to better align workforce planning with vehicle deployment, infrastructure readiness, and long-term operational performance. Attendees will leave with practical takeaways to strengthen workforce readiness within their own organizations and better connect workforce planning to broader modernization efforts.
Room: Regency F
This session provides a practical roadmap for planning, executing, and winning a public transit ballot initiative campaign. Participants will explore the full lifecycle of a successful initiative—from identifying a viable policy issue and building a coalition to fundraising, messaging, voter outreach, and Election Day strategy. Drawing on real-world case studies, the session will examine what separates winning campaigns from losing ones, including legal considerations, research, messaging, media strategy, and grassroots mobilization. Attendees will leave with actionable tools and strategic insights to help navigate the political, operational, and communications challenges of advancing policy change through the ballot process.
Room: Regency G
Transit providers across the country are facing growing demand, workforce shortages, evolving rider expectations, and limited resources. This session will explore innovative strategies for improving efficiency, expanding mobility options, and maximizing the impact of existing investments. Panelists will discuss how technology, service integration, network redesign, and data-driven decision-making can help organizations enhance service delivery while controlling costs. Attendees will gain practical insights into approaches that support operational efficiency, improve customer experiences, and strengthen the long-term sustainability of transit services.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify strategies for improving operational efficiency within constrained budgets.
- Explore innovative service models that enhance mobility and expand access.
- Understand how technology and data can support better service planning and resource allocation.
- Learn practical approaches for addressing workforce challenges while maintaining high-quality service.
Location: Hyatt Regency Cincinnati
Room: Regency E
Discover how collaboration across the NEORide network made the transition to cashless fare collection possible. Through an interactive panel discussion, agencies will share lessons learned, emerging trends, implementation strategies, and the value of strong partnerships in achieving successful rollouts. The session concludes with a look at the ongoing commitment to customer success and strengthening the NEORide ecosystem through continued collaboration.
Room: Regency F
As accident severity, litigation costs, and insurance pressures continue to rise, transit agencies are increasingly turning to technology to improve safety and reduce risk. This session explores the role of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and telematics in modern transit operations, including available technologies, practical applications, safety benefits, and claims management advantages. Participants will hear both the risk management and transit operations perspectives on implementing these technologies, including lessons learned, operational considerations, and the impact on insurance and claims outcomes. Attendees will learn how insurers are evaluating these tools during underwriting and why agencies that effectively implement and utilize them may be better positioned for improved safety outcomes, stronger claims defense, and long-term insurability.
Room: Regency G
Discover how NEORide's cooperative contracts can help your agency save time, reduce procurement complexity, and implement solutions faster. This session will highlight available contract opportunities, practical strategies for contract utilization, and real-world examples of how agencies are leveraging cooperative purchasing to improve operations, enhance rider experience, and deliver greater value to their communities.
Room: Regency E
Meeting to discuss ATTAIN FY 2023 EZData Grant
Transits Participating: GCRTA, Dayton RTA, CityBus, BCRTA, CARTS, WRTA
Location: Newport Aquarium
Complimentary transportation will be provided by TANK between the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati and the Newport Aquarium for Wednesday evening’s dinner.
Hyatt Regency Cincinnati → Newport Aquarium
- 5:45 PM departure
- 6:15 PM departure
Newport Aquarium → Hyatt Regency Cincinnati
- 9:00 PM departure
- 9:30 PM departure
- 10:10 PM – final return
Uber and Lyft are readily available. Guests who prefer to drive can park in the garage beneath Newport on the Levee/Aquarium. Parking ranges from $6-$10 depending on length of stay.
Complimentary transportation will be provided by TANK between the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati and the Newport Aquarium for Wednesday evening’s dinner.
Hyatt Regency Cincinnati → Newport Aquarium
- 5:45 PM departure
- 6:15 PM departure
Newport Aquarium → Hyatt Regency Cincinnati
- 9:00 PM departure
- 9:30 PM departure
- 10:10 PM – final return
Uber and Lyft are readily available. Guests who prefer to drive can park in the garage beneath Newport on the Levee/Aquarium. Parking ranges from $6-$10 depending on length of stay.