NJ Transit, Rutgers CAIT, UITP to Launch Regional Training Center

Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
“UITP currently has Regional Training Centers in Europe, Asia-Pacific and Eurasia, South America and South Africa, and will look to make history with NJ TRANSIT and Rutgers CAIT by establishing the first center in North America,” New Jersey Transit reported via Twitter on March 16.

“UITP currently has Regional Training Centers in Europe, Asia-Pacific and Eurasia, South America and South Africa, and will look to make history with NJ TRANSIT and Rutgers CAIT by establishing the first center in North America,” New Jersey Transit reported via Twitter on March 16.

New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit), International Association of Public Transport (UITP), and the Rutgers Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT) on March 16 signed an agreement to establish UITP’s first North American Regional Transit Center, which they said would “bring world-class transportation training to the region and the continent, helping to develop the next wave of leaders in the transit space.”

UITP currently has Regional Training Centers in Europe (France, Germany and Spain), Asia-Pacific and Eurasia (China and Turkey), South America (Chile), and South Africa, which offer training “through the establishment of uniform standards and best practices for all areas of sustainable transportation.” According to UITP, the training programs and all related processes are certified for ISO29990:2010, “the standard for learning services for non-formal education and training.”

Leading the North American Regional Training Center partnership will be NJ Transit, which provides bus, light rail, commuter rail and Access Link paratransit services, linking major points in New Jersey; New York; and Philadelphia, Pa. The transit agency has committed to sponsoring four training programs annually, providing guest speakers when possible. CAIT will coordinate with UITP and NJ Transit to provide necessary logistics and administrative support, assist with marketing, and host the training programs in New Brunswick, N.J.

The four training programs scheduled for 2023 are:

  1. Public Transport Fundamentals for North America: July 10-12
  2. Electric Buses: Fleet & Infrastructure Planning, Operations and Maintenance for North America: Sept. 27-29
  3. Rail Operation and Maintenance for North America: Oct. 2-4
  4. Ticketing and Fare Management for North America: Nov. 6-8

“Throughout its long history as an association, UITP has worked to advance sustainable urban mobility by collaborating alongside our members and external partners,” UITP Secretary General Mohamed Mezghani said. “Collaboration is key—and we strive to do this across the globe to best reflect our international membership. I am delighted that UITP will partner with NJ Transit and Rutgers CAIT to establish the first UITP Regional Training Center in North America. This is an important time for our sector, and this new partnership will provide an excellent opportunity for industry leaders to bring their expertise to a whole new audience in North America.”

“It is a privilege for NJ Transit to lead this partnership that is establishing UITP’s first-ever North American Regional Training Center,” said Kevin S. Corbett, NJ Transit President and CEO, and North American Representative to the Policy Board of UITP. ”NJ Transit has benefitted greatly from its membership in UITP since 2018, which has given us access to industry best practices around the globe, as well as our strong, long-standing partnership with Rutgers CAIT.”

“Healthy infrastructure and transit systems serve as the backbone of the U.S. economy, and require a skilled workforce to maintain, operate and improve them,” said Dr. Ali Maher, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rutgers University and Director of Rutgers CAIT. “The current and future transit workforce will be tasked with addressing climate change impacts, building with resilience and improving the equity of our transportation systems. This North American Regional Training Center serves as an opportunity to share industry knowledge on a national scale and develop the next generation of transit leaders. Rutgers CAIT is excited to leverage its extensive workforce development and technology transfer programs in support of this Regional Training Center and in partnership with NJ Transit and UITP.”

“New Jersey residents will reap massive benefits from this newly forged partnership, which convenes NJ Transit, New Jersey’s premier state university, and a worldwide leader in sustainable public transportation,” New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said. “By hosting the first Regional Training Center on the continent, New Jersey will earn worldwide recognition as a North American transportation hub. Just as importantly, the establishment of the training center emphasizes our ongoing commitment to invest in the growth and development of our critical public transportation workforce.”

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