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Introduction

From March 31 to April 2, 2026, the Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC) attended the 2026 South West Transit Association (SWTA) & New Mexico Joint Annual Conference & Expo, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The 3-day event, co-hosted by SWTA and the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT), united leaders from public transit agencies, state DOTs, mobility providers, and bus manufacturers to share experiences and learn from each others’ efforts to support public transit. Program Coordinator Francesca Lewis represented SUMC to learn more about public transit in the southwest region, innovative partnerships and models, and broader ideas and experiences shaping the public transit industry.

Partnerships, Perspectives, and Local Tours 

The event offered 2 days of sessions with speakers who shared insights and concrete steps to advance work on safety, funding, leadership, workforce development, and innovation. A standout session that brought these themes into focus explored innovative partnerships in rural contexts. In the session “The Power of Partnership: New Models for Rural and Regional Transit,” Bill Symon,  Director of Sales at Via, moderated a discussion highlighting innovative rural public transit projects supported by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Katherine Conrad, Executive Director of NEORide, explained how NEORide, a council of governments with over 40 participating members in 11 states, works together to improve coordination among small and medium-sized transit agencies. With support from an FTA Integrated Mobility Innovation (IMI) grant, NEORide developed EZfare, an account-based fare payment platform that makes interagency and intercounty trips easier for riders to navigate and for agencies to implement. Using the EZfare mobile app, customers can create an account and load it with fare value, and use that fare value by tapping their phone or card when using a participating transit service. NEORide saves costs by pooling resources for technology procurement and provides its members the opportunity to collaborate with participating agencies on innovative ideas and strategies. Also during this session, Latischa Lemasters, Director of Pelivan Transit, and Laura Corff, Route Supervisor at  Cimarron Public Transit, also discussed PICK Transportation, a flexible demand-responsive microtransit service in Oklahoma. The FTA’s IMI program supported the launch of PICK Transportation, which provides ADA-compliant services in 19 communities, offering transit services where public transportation options are otherwise unavailable during evenings and weekends.  Multiple agencies in northeastern Oklahoma collaborated to develop PICK Transportation to increase the available transit options for communities, improve the rider experience, and streamline interagency coordination. 

Conversations highlighting the lived experiences of transit leaders gave attendees valuable insights into what it’s like to handle real-world challenges while leading. On day 2, Kendra McGeady, Cherokee Nation District 11 Tribal Councilor and former Director of Pelivan Transit, moderated a “Women in Transit” panel featuring Andrea Ball, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Transit Association, Angie Gilliam, Chickasaw Nation Transportation Director, and Wendy Weedon, Chief Executive Officer of the Brazos Transit District. The discussion dove deep into the personal stories of women in public transit leadership positions and their journeys navigating the unique challenges of life while holding these positions of leadership. The session created space for meaningful discussion and stressed the value of mentorship, representation, and elevating women’s voices in public transit.

Also featured on day 2, ABQ RIDE Deputy Director Bobby Sisneros shared a presentation, “An Agency on the Move – ABQ RIDE’s Transformational Turnaround,” highlighting how the agency has worked to transform its system by prioritizing improvements to service, the built environment, and rider experience. ABQ RIDE took a ground-up approach to improving its system, starting by rewriting the agency’s mission statement and Rules to Ride, a strategy that helped bring teams together with a shared vision of ABQ RIDE’s future. Ambassador programs, partnership with local law enforcement and public safety agencies, increased maintenance and cleanliness, operator and driver training, mentorship programs, employee appreciation, and increased reporting options for riders were other strategies discussed during this session.

Learning shifted from discussion to practice on the final day, as SWTA offered attendees the opportunity to explore New Mexico’s transportation systems. Programming included a tour of local transit operations, a technical tour on board the Rail Runner for a trip to Santa Fe, and intensive training for transit leaders. SUMC staff joined the tour of ABQ RIDE’s Alvarado Transportation Center and operations center. Attendees walked through the staff operations center to see how in-house marketing is prepared and how dispatchers and customer service agents work diligently to connect with drivers and riders. Following the tour, ABQ Ride staff shared more about tactics the agency has implemented to improve the safety and efficiency of its system. 

Conclusion

Although SWTA members represent southwestern states, the 2026 SWTA & New Mexico Joint Conference & Expo drew leaders from across the country to learn about the innovations and strides being taken by public transit professionals in the southwest region. Technical sessions discussed funding, workforce development, safety, leadership, and innovation, providing tangible steps to explore innovative ideas and advance initiatives that will improve public transit systems. Conversations focused on industry collaboration and moving forward together with a shared vision, highlighting the value of sharing experiences and building meaningful partnerships instead of addressing challenges alone.