This past Monday morning, many of the region’s top transit leaders met with some of the nation’s top transit experts. Arranged by the Federal Transit Administration, the transit agency directors from Salt Lake City, Denver, Dallas, Portland and
Atlanta each made a presentation introducing their light rail system, how it was developed, and offering suggestions on how to successfully implement Woodward Light Rail. I videotaped some to share with you:
– Presentation highlights from Dallas transit director
– Presentation highlights from Salt Lake City transit director
Their suggestions included:
– the importance of having a broad regional transit vision in addition to specific line plans;
– the importance of everyone working together;
– that transparency and open communication are key; and
– not to let the naysayers stop us, because they’re inevitable and will be proven wrong.
The Federal Transit 
Administrator Peter Rogoff’s invitation explained:
"The objective of the Advisory Panel is to develop a series of recommendations for the city of Detroit and regional leaders to consider as the Woodward Avenue project moves forward and the region contemplates the development of a long-term regional vision and implementation strategy for public transportation."
