Kentucky Public Transit Association

What Kentucky Public Transit Association does

Kentucky Public Transit Association, Inc. (KPTA) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association founded in 1981 and headquartered in Kentucky, representing public and community transportation systems across all 120 counties of the Commonwealth. The association operates as a membership-based coordinating body with over 60 member organizations, including urban transit authorities (TANK, TARC, Lextran), rural transit operators (RTEC, GRITS, Fulton County Transit Authority, FTSB), specialized transit providers, and a network of transit industry vendors and suppliers. KPTA's functions span information dissemination, training, regulatory advocacy, peer networking, and coordination of bulk vehicle procurement through a vehicle bid program administered in partnership with Rural Transit Enterprises Coordinated (RTEC).

KPTA generates revenue through two principal streams: annual membership dues structured by member classification (Larger System, Small System, Associate, Honorary/Complimentary) as outlined in Article XI of its bylaws, and conference revenue drawn from bi-annual training conferences held jointly with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's Office of Transportation Delivery. Conference revenue includes reduced attendance rates for members, indoor booth space fees for exhibitors, and tiered sponsorship packages sold to transit industry vendors. The association also produces a bi-monthly newsletter and maintains a Kentucky Transit Resource Directory for member use. Sponsorship relationships with vendors such as Gillig, Ecolane, BraunAbility, Safe Fleet, TSI Video Surveillance, TESCO, TripSpark Software, and Mid South Bus Center provide supplementary conference-related revenue and signal the association's role as a connective hub between public transit operators and the private-sector supply chain.

The association holds no proprietary technology, software products, or AI/ML capabilities, and operates under a lean governance model with an elected volunteer Board of Directors led by President Pam Shepherd, Vice President Shirley Cummins, and Secretary/Treasurer Dan Lanham. Its competitive position is anchored by longstanding relationships with the Federal Transit Administration, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's Office of Transportation Delivery, and national bodies including the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) and the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). KPTA's strategic significance derives from its quasi-official role as the unified voice for Kentucky's fragmented public transit sector rather than from any technology platform or scalable product.

Name

Kentucky Public Transit Association

Legal name

Kentucky Public Transit Association, Inc.

Website

https://kypublictransit.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Kentucky Public Transit Association is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association founded in 1981 that coordinates over 60 public transit systems, vendors, and suppliers across Kentucky's 120 counties through membership services, biennial training conferences, bulk vehicle procurement, and advocacy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Lexington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: KPTA generates revenue through membership dues from transit systems and suppliers. The bylaws reference dues as listed in Article XI, though specific amounts are not publicly disclosed on the website.
2. Conference Fees: Bi-annual conferences generate revenue through reduced rates for members attending the conference, indoor booth space for exhibitors, and sponsor fees from transit industry vendors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

KPTA is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit membership trade association that delivers coordination, advocacy, training, and networking services to public and community transportation agencies and vendors across Kentucky. Its core offerings include annual membership, bi-annual joint training conferences with KYTC-OTD, a bi-monthly newsletter, the Kentucky Transit Resource Directory, a coordinated vehicle bid purchasing program administered through RTEC, and member access to an online portal with resources and training.

Product overview

Kentucky Public Transit Association (KPTA) is a professional membership association for public and community transportation systems throughout Kentucky, not a product company. The association provides membership services, organizes bi-annual conferences and training events, facilitates vehicle procurement through coordinated bidding, offers a video training library, publishes newsletters and directories, and connects transit systems with vendors and suppliers. KPTA does not offer a commercial product or software platform; its offerings are organizational services including conferences, training resources, bid coordination, and networking for transit agencies and vendors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• KPTA Membership Program Annual membership program for Kentucky public transit agencies and vendors/suppliers, with classifications including Larger System Members (voting), Small System Members (voting), Associate Members, and Honorary/Complimentary Members. Members receive reduced conference rates, access to the Kentucky Transit Resource Directory, voting rights at annual business meetings, and access to the members-only portal.
• KPTA Bi-annual Conference and Training Expo Bi-annual conferences held jointly with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Office of Transportation Delivery, featuring presentations, federal and state funding updates, training sessions, equipment displays, and networking opportunities for transit agencies and vendors.
• KPTA Bi-monthly Newsletter Bi-monthly newsletter distributed to members and contacts, focusing on current events in public and community transportation, including regulatory updates, funding opportunities, and industry best practices.
• KPTA Vehicle Bid Program (Coordinated Purchasing) Coordinated bulk purchasing program for member transit agencies to procure vehicles at reduced cost through collective buying power. RTEC administers the bids on behalf of KPTA, including bid solicitation, opening, and administration through the RTEC Board Room.
• Kentucky Transit Resource Directory Annual directory of Kentucky transit agencies with contact information and system details, available to KPTA members.
• KPTA Members-Only Online Portal Members-only online portal at members.kypublictransit.org that provides access to KPTA resources, communications, and member services.

Quantifiable outcome

• Coordinate vehicle purchasing through RTEC Bus Bid programs, reducing costs through collective buying power
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kentucky Office Of Transportation Delivery (OTD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOTD is the primary state government partner for KPTA. They co-host the bi-annual KPTA/KYTC Training Conference, collaborate on training sessions, and OTD staff present at conferences on topics including FTA updates, grants administration, and regulatory compliance.
• Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCTAA is a national organization that KPTA collaborates with for training, advocacy, and industry best practices. KPTA participated in CTAA's EXPO 2022 in Louisville, and CTAA's Executive Director presented awards to KPTA members.
• American Public Transportation Association (APTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPTA is a national association of public transportation systems that KPTA links to as a resource for members. APTA provides legislative updates and industry standards that affect Kentucky transit agencies.
• Kentuckians for Better Transportation (KBT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKBT is a state-level transportation advocacy organization that KPTA collaborates with on legislative issues affecting public transit. KBT holds an annual conference where KPTA participates.
• National Rural Transportation Program (National RTAP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational RTAP provides training resources, technical assistance, and topic guides for rural transit agencies. KPTA links to RTAP resources on its website for member training.
• Rural Transit Enterprises Coordinated (RTEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRTEC administers the KPTA vehicle bid program, coordinating bulk purchasing of vehicles for member transit agencies through RTEC Board Room. RTEC handles bid solicitation, opening, and administration for KPTA Bus Bids.
• Federal Transit Administration (FTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFTA is the federal agency that provides funding and regulatory oversight for public transit. FTA Region 4 staff present at KPTA conferences on FTA 101 training and federal updates.
• KACO (Kentucky Association of Counties)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerKACO serves as a Roadeo sponsor for KPTA conferences. KACO represents county officials and has interest in public transit as it relates to county services.
• American Bus & AccessoriesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVendor sponsor for KPTA Roadeo events and conference exhibitor. Provides bus equipment and accessories to transit agencies.
• GilligminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor bus manufacturer and conference sponsor. Serves as Expo and Lunch Sponsor at KPTA conferences.
• BraunAbilityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVehicle accessibility equipment manufacturer. Sponsors opening receptions at KPTA conferences and provides wheelchair accessible vehicle solutions.
• Safe FleetminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBus safety equipment provider. Sponsors Roadeo/Golf Dinner and Awards Dinner at KPTA conferences.
• TESCOminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTransit equipment supplier. Sponsors Wednesday night Reception and Big Night Out at KPTA conferences.
• Mid South Bus CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBus dealer for transit vehicles. Sponsors Wednesday dinner at conferences and provides new and used bus sales.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kentucky Public Transit Association