News Release

Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT)
Mid-Atlantic Chapter
www.midatlanticchapter.com

Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT) Mid-Atlantic Chapter Announces Industry Winners at Regional Conference

Wilmington, DE (January 27,2006) - The Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT) held its first regional conference in King of Prussia on Friday, January 27, 2006.

The Association for Commuter Transportation is North America's most respected association for professionals who specialize in commute options and solutions as well as organizations, business and individuals interested in creating a more workable transportation system. Together with employers and government agencies, ACT works to create programs, services and products that help reduce traffic congestion, increase mobility, and improve air quality.

The event drew transportation professionals and industry partners from the tri-county area of Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey to highlight 'Best Practices' taking place in the field. Keynote speaker, Anne Canby, President of the Surface Transportation Policy Project (STPP) highlighted the work of the Association's members and the importance transportation plays in senior mobility, health and obesity, land use, the environment, air quality and more. Ms. Canby challenged Association members, specifically Transportation Management Association (TMA) professionals, with leading the course in addressing these issues. Ms. Canby stated, "You represent key business partners, both public and private, through your association membership and work with ACT." Ms. Canby went on to detail the funding opportunities that exist to address these challenges through the recently passed Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity Act (SAFETEA-LU) transportation legislation. Finally, Ms. Canby addressed the critical role that members of ACT play in being a resource to commuters with the ever increasing high cost of fuel.

Other speakers included Pat Hintz of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals in Pennsylvania who discussed their company's commute program "Green Wheels", in addition to Dan Blevins of the Wilmington Area Planning Council (WILMAPCO) who shared their work in developing and utilizing Delaware's Congestion Mitigation Process.

The Mid-Atlantic Chapter, formerly made up of Pennsylvania and Delaware members, recently expanded to include the state of New Jersey to further strengthen regional relationships and address regional transportation concerns. "This is an important step for the chapter," states Chapter President, Robert Henry of the Greater Valley Forge TMA. "The merger allows us to address not only commuter issues since many employees in the region live in one state and work in another, but to also focus our chapter energies on larger transportation issues that affect us regionally as well"

The event also honored its peers with several awards given during the event. They are as follows:

Category: Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Business Leader / Public Sector
Winner - DART First State, Delaware

"DART First State, Delaware's only public transit provider, embarked on a unique, in-depth and innovative project to address the increasing demand on its paratransit operations in Kent County, Delaware, and it's underperforming fixed route system in a rural, predominantly transit-dependent market. The developed a project called GoLink. The GoLink project set out to better coordinate paratransit and fixed route resources and increase mobility options for all riders.

Since the kick off of this project in October 2003, DART First state has seen a dramatic reduction in escalating service hours and miles of the paratransit service, while they have seen an increase in passenger trips. Revenue hours have been decreased by an astounding 34% and service miles have seen a 24% decrease. By implementing the GoLink service passenger trips have increased by 16% in the service area."

Category: TDM Business Leader / Private Sector
Winner - Tammy Ford, TMA Delaware

"Tammy Ford was recognized for being an experienced caring leader of her rideshare organization, RideShare Delaware, and the regional TDM community. She has devoted extensive energies in the promotion of TDM activities, throughout the state of Delaware. She has gained considerable knowledge about her constituents and has channeled her personal resources and energy, as well as those of TMA Delaware, into efforts that have yielded significant benefits for them. Tammy's activities extend not only to her base but have benefited larger organizations such as ACT and the marketing committee of TransitChek at DVRPC. She provides valuable input and is a serious player in the industry."

Category: Mobility Friendly Business Leader
Winner - Upper Merion Township, PA

"Upper Merion Township and Ron Wagenmann have been members of GVFTMA since its inception. They host the TMA in their building and Township Manager Ron Wagenmann has been a member of the board of directors from year one. They have worked with the TMA to install eighty bus shelters throughout their municipality to encourage the use of public transit. They are the first township in GVFTMA's service area to create their own form of public transit called the Rambler. This service enables Upper Merion resident's access to the township where SEPTA does not currently service. It also allows the residents to connect to SEPTA.

Upper Merion was the driving force behind the 200 Million Dollar U.S. 202 section 400 reconstruction project. Ron has also been chairing the U.S. 422 Corridor Coalition which helps to enable 22 municipalities to plan together and come up with common sense approaches. In addition Ron has also been innovative in coming up with solutions to funding issues. Just this past year Ron was able to coordinate a group of local officials on a trip to Washington D.C. to secure interim funding for U.S. 422. This trip paid off as the region has already received 25 Million Dollars for the project. "

Anyone wishing to learn more about the Association for Commuter Transportation can visit www.act-hq.com or visit the Mid-Atlantic Chapter at www.midatlanticchapter.com. Individuals can also contact Tammy Ford, Chapter Vice President at (302) 658-9001.