Now in its 15^th year, BusCon, which is the most extensive gathering of private and public-sector decision-makers in the bus industry, will again be “Paving the Road to Success” at Chicago’s world famous Navy Pier Sept. 28 to 30.

The popular University Transit Track returns to BusCon, with Bob Bourne of Bourne Transit Consulting LLC leading the “Is Your Level of Service Green?” session, which will present information from Transit Cooperative Research Program No. 100 and several case studies on how frequency of service affects ridership as well as helps create a sustainable environment.

Meanwhile, Brian Shaw from Sam Schwartz Engineering, will discuss the experiences of Emory University, the University of Chicago, Winston-Salem State University and other institutions that initiated new and revamped services successfully, ensuring a high level of use through outreach and marketing, during “the Implementation for a New Revamped University Transit System” session.

Exhibits Feature Vehicles, Products and Services

Once again BusCon will offer the largest quantity and widest variety of vehicles and products on the 140,000-square-foot exhibit hall, which will be open 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 29 and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday. Vehicles will take center stage on the show floor with buses, cutaways and chassis on display from manufacturers, including ABC Companies, Champion Bus Inc., Daimler Vans USA LLC, ElDorado National, Foton America Bus Co., Goshen Coach, Krystal Coach Inc., Motor Coach Industries, Startrans – A Supreme Corporation Co., and Turtle Top.

 Attendees will also not want to miss Thursday’s breakfast and general session: “The First 24 Hours: How to Develop a Serious Response Plan,” with Bob Crescenzo of Lancer Insurance. Crescenzo will discuss the need for a comprehensive, fully understood and periodically rehearsed companywide plan to deal with a serious accident or passenger-related incident to avoid legal, public relations and business-threatening implications. During his presentation, he will touch on the essential steps bus companies need to take to be prepared to effectively deal with – and survive – these unfortunate events.

Crescenzo will also present the “Driver Fatigue: How to Combat the Silent Killer” session, where he will discuss how understanding the causes and tell-tale symptoms of fatigued drivers can help both management and affected drivers take proactive steps to prevent the condition from resulting in tragic consequences.

Jack Burkert, from Transportation Safety Consulting, will again be on hand conducting “The Perfect Ride: Providing Superior Customer Service for Passengers with Disabilities” session, while Halsey King, of Halsey King and Associates, will serve as moderator for the “Alternate Fuels Panel.”

Show Features New Opportunities for Attendees

New to BusCon for the first 250 attendees purchasing a full conference pass is the networking reception held at U.S. Cellular Field; where attendees can network with peers while watching the Chicago White Sox square off against the Boston Red Sox in a private BusCon suite. Attendees will enjoy a full dinner buffet, open bar, raffle prizes and a silent auction with more than $3,000 in prizes and all the proceeds going to the Les Turner ALS Foundation.

For more info, visit www.busconexpo.com or call (800) 576-8788.          

Alex Roman is managing editor for Metro Magazine.

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