The Newsletter of the Wyoming Public Transit Association
2003 Conference Highlights

     The 2003 WYTRANS Conference and Bus Roadeo, held June 18-21 in Cheyenne at Little America, provided several training opportunities for drivers, managers, and dispatchers. Participants enjoyed the accommodations and had the opportunity to win several prizes donated by Cheyenne Transit, several of the WYTRANS Trainers, and other supporters.
     National Transit Institute (NTI) Fellow Paul Foer presented “Creating the Low-Cost, Low-Tech, Transit Marketing Plan for Small Agencies” Thursday, June 19. Paul has been the Transportation Marketing Specialist for the City of Annapolis, Maryland, for over five years. During his tenure, ridership doubled and in May 2002 Annapolis Transit was named One of the Ten Most Improved Transit Systems by Metro Magazine. Paul’s workshop taught participants how to develop low-cost marketing initiatives that may improve service, increase ridership, and promote a valuable public image.
     On Friday, Michael Sinclair, the Security System Administrator for RTD in Denver, presented a Safety and Security workshop. Participants viewed videos recorded on RTD busses and had the opportunity to examine what the driver did right or wrong in different situations with passengers.
     Sinclair explained how to promote safe operations in a transit environment, presented dispatch strategies, gave tips on how to redirect aggressive behavior, gave examples of crime prevention through environmental design, and described conflict resolution techniques.
     Other conference classes included CTAA’s Passenger Service and Safety Certification (PASS), both beginning and recertification classes, and the WYTRANS Safe Driver course. The two-day beginning PASS class was taught by instructors Sandy Wirtz from Eppson Center for Seniors in Laramie and Jimmi Snyder from the Campbell County Senior Citizens Center. The two-day PASS course covers driver sensitivity, as well as teaching drivers to be more in tune with passenger needs. Rod Slocum of Big Horn Enterprises in Thermopolis taught the PASS recertification course. The recertification course, required every three years, is a half-day refresher class.
     Steve Ainslie taught two Safe Driver classes. The Safe Driver course was designed by WYTRANS trainers and is geared for the public transit driver.
     Cheyenne Transit Passenger Dean Meyer spoke to conference participants at lunch on Thursday. He described what a difference public transit has made in his life.

     Transit supervisors and managers attended a Drug and Alcohol Regulation Update session facilitated by Marge Cole of CATC and Sean Solan of WRTA.
     Chick Dolby, Deputy Regional Director of FTA, spoke at lunch on Friday and stressed how much he appreciated the efforts of those who care about the people for whom
2003 Conference Coordinators Renae Jording, left, and Amanda Hunter, right.
they provide transit. Friday afternoon, John Dow of FTA talked to grantees about funding issues and what to expect in the future.
     After the Hawaiian theme dinner Friday, hypnotist Steve Marino entertained guests with his unique style of stage hypnosis. About 20 volunteers unleashed their talents. Dance imitations of Jennifer Lopez and the Martian National Anthem were just some of the highlights. Steve is a certified member of the American Board of Hypnotherapy
     A special thanks to Cheyenne Transit Director Joe Dougherty, Conference Coordinators Renae Jording and Amanda Hunter, all the Cheyenne Transit employees, the WYTRANS Trainers, and all the bus roadeo volunteers and judges for donating their time and talents ensuring the conference was a good experience for everyone.
     The 2004 Conference is set for June 24-26 in Riverton, so mark it on your 2004 calendar now.
From left to right: tom Davey, Paul foer, and Amanda Hunter toured Cheyenne as part of Foer's Conference Marketing presentation.
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    Wyoming Transit Express 4 September 2003