NYPTA elects new president

Frank Kobliski, executive director of Syracuse, N.Y.-based Central New York Regional Transportation Authority, was elected president of the New York Public Transit Association Inc. (NYPTA) at the 2009 Public Transit Fall Conference in Albany, N.Y.

"I am honored to be elected as President of this association once again. This is a critical time for public transportation. One of our main objectives will be to secure adequate and reliable funding for public transit authorities across New York State to ensure the long term health of our transportation systems," said Kobliski.

Kobliski previously served a two- year term as NYPTA president from 2003-2005 and has also served as NYTPA vice-president, a member of the NYPTA board of directors and chair of the Legislative & Policy Committee.

As President, Kobliski will be responsible for overseeing the business of the association and will serve as the primary spokesperson for the public transportation industry in New York State.

NYPTA is a not-for-profit association representing more than 40 transit systems across New York State. The Association is also comprised of more than 65 private sector manufacturers, consultants and state government agencies. Members provide nearly all of the public transportation services in New York State and nearly 40 percent of the public transportation services in the nation and employ more than 60,000 New Yorkers.

Kobliski succeeds Ray Melleady, executive director of the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) in Albany.