Capital Metro President/CEO Linda Watson to Speak at 2012 Intelligent Transport Systems World Congress  

Austin, Texas, Oct. 18, 2012 – Capital Metro President/CEO Linda Watson has been invited to speak next week at the 19th Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) World Congress in Vienna, Austria. She will join other high-level industry executives and public officials from around the world to share their individual perspectives and experiences on the topics of mobility and sustainability.  

“It’s a great honor to represent Capital Metro and Central Texas at the ITS World Congress,” said Watson. “We’re making great strides as the region’s transportation leader, and it’s exciting to share our story on a global stage. I plan to bring back to the agency best practices from leaders around the world on how we can improve mobility by incorporating technology in transit.”  

The ITS Congress brings together leading experts from around the world to discuss critical issues around transportation and infrastructure, and attracts 8,000 visitors from more than 60 countries. It is held every three years in alternating locations in the Americas, Asia and Europe. 

This year’s theme, Smarter on the Way, deals with innovative systems for the improvement of mobility. It will focus on energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly transportation policies using intelligent systems and services.  

The conference is intended to demonstrate the tremendous potential there is for improving everyday lives by implementing ITS systems. Exhibitors will cover a variety of aspects of transport systems – from complex information and communications systems to security and ecology.  

Watson’s trip is being funded by the ITS World Congress.  

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ABOUT LINDA S. WATSON, CAPITAL METRO PRESIDENT/CEO  

Linda S. Watson joined Capital Metro as president and CEO in August 2010. She has more than 25 years of transportation leadership experience in Orlando, Corpus Christi and Forth Worth. Watson serves on the board of several organizations, including the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) Advisory Council, Circuit of the Americas Events Host Committee and ITS America. In 2011, Watson was named transportation executive of the year by the Austin Chapter of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO). Under her leadership, vision and direction, Capital Metro has transformed into a more transparent, accountable and financially sustainable organization and has seen ridership grow by over a million trips this year alone.   

 ABOUT CAPITAL METRO 

Capital Metro’s mission is to connect people, jobs and communities by providing high-quality and sustainable transportation choices for our community. Capital Metro boasts the highest per capita ridership in Texas, providing an average of 110,000 rides each weekday onboard its local, flyer and express bus routes and Capital MetroRail, the region’s first commuter rail system. Capital Metro also provides MetroAccess service for passengers with disabilities, van and carpool coordination, and freight rail service.  For more information, including an online trip planner and a commute cost calculator, call (512) 474-1200 or visit www.capmetro.org.  

 MEDIA CONTACT INFORMATION: 

Francine Pares, (512) 389-7435, (949) 244-4574 cell, francine.pares@capmetro.org  

Erica Macioge, (512) 369-6085, (512) 636-7232 cell, erica.macioge@capmetro.org