NATA is an alliance of private sector companies that operate transit systems in the U.S. and Canada.
We are comprised of the five largest private transit contracting firms that operate and maintain critical paratransit, fixed route, and other transportation services on behalf of public transit agencies in the U.S. and Canada. Our member organizations make up 15 percent of the U.S. public transportation workforce, encompassing more than 71,000 employees.
Our mission is to advocate for the essential role private contractors play in public transit. An open, transparent, and results-driven partnership between a private contractor and transit agency fosters the ability for both parties to combine resources to deliver a better experience for passengers and the broader community.
Every day our members transport millions of people to jobs, school, medical centers, retail stores and more. The services we provide have a major positive impact on economic development and the quality of life in cities.
Global experience, local partnerships
Our member companies have decades of experience managing public transportation. We work together with our public transit authority clients to help deliver on business processes, systems, and technology to transport passengers safely.
Stretching taxpayer dollars, providing exceptional service
We help our clients ensure that taxpayer dollars go further through the efficiencies we achieve, the systems and technology we bring, and the operational discipline we instill. We are your partner in providing excellent transit service in your community.
Helping cities reinvest in their systems
The savings we deliver enable cities to reinvest in their systems, add new technology, and improve service throughout the community. Adding a private contractor means you’ll have an additional expert helping your agency adapt to the challenges ahead.
The private sector has a long history of operating public transit services under contract to city and county transit agencies
Public transportation is a vital part of moving our country, and our economy forward.
We are helping by providing new and innovative solutions to a thriving transit system in their communities. We are implementing key changes needed to ensure passenger and employee safety.
Learn more about contracting from UITP: Contracting in transit and the Eno Center
Two recent reports sheds light on the value and benefits of private contracting in North America and internationally to meet passenger needs.
Supporting our partners in public transportation
We are also proud members of APTA (American Public Transportation Association), the major transit industry association, and are collaborating with them on advocacy efforts for public transportation.
Diversity and inclusion
At NATA our members stand against systemic racism and inequity. Public transportation systems should serve and be accessible by all citizens, regardless of where they live or their socioeconomic status.
The appreciation for inclusion and belonging is a core value for our member companies, as is the focus on professionally developing underrepresented populations and providing livable wages. Our industry serves a multicultural population for whom public transit is an essential lifeline for employment, shopping, school and other essential services. Transit creates a path for economic opportunity and for personal services with our riders. Our member companies cannot be successful unless their workforces reflect the diversity of the multicultural communities we are proud to serve.
Within our member companies, we have a broad array of diversity programs, aimed at promoting and improving diversity across all levels of each individual organization. This is a responsibility that we have to our workforce, our industry, and the communities we serve.
Recent data published by the American Public Transportation Association examining the ethnic makeup of public transit riders in comparison to the share of the U.S. population reveals the responsibility public transit systems have to provide safe, reliable and equitable transportation solutions for all.
NATA members are committed to creating equitable public transportation solutions across North America.