Transit Finance Learning Exchange

Sharepoint website is available for members use TFLEx has created a new website in Sharepoint for its members. It is located at https://tflex.securespsites.com/ (Password required) At this time, we are not creating new accounts on the old site. If you are requesting a new account, visit New Account Registration (Sharepoint) to request an account on the new site.

New Technologies and Their Capital Impact on Operations
Cleveland, Ohio

(Field of Study: Finance)
April 29-30, 2010
April 30, 2010 - Business Meeting

Program Content/Learning Objectives

As transit agencies continue to find ways to cut costs, new technologies have evolved in areas such as scheduling, fare collection, security and even rolling stock. This workshop will concentrate on 1) how new and existing technologies can be leveraged to improve efficiency and lower operating costs; and, 2) how societal changes in the U.S. have affected the transit industry. After attending this conference, participants will be able to:

• Understand the role of new technologies within a transit agency and how they can lower operating costs.
• Learn methodologies for performing life cycle costing analyses to determine the true cost of new technologies.
• Understand the role societal changes are playing in effecting changes in the transit industry.
• Identify and share best practices through "Needs & Leads

Group-Live Delivery Method
Program Level: Advanced
Pre-Conference Reading Material Provided
No Prerequisites*
Earn 10 CPE credits

* This program is at an advanced level of continuing education. Although no prerequisite course or work experience is needed to participate in this program, working knowledge of finance and transportation practices and policies is required, as well as knowledge of the program topic.

To register for this course, contact, Irene Demers, at 214-749-2630 or visit our Web site, www.tflex.org. For more information regarding refund, complaint and program cancellation policies, please contact Irene Demers at 214-749-2630.

Transit-Finance Learning Exchange (T-FLEx) is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be addressed to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 700, Nashville, TN, 37219-2417. Website: www.nasba.org

TFLEx Accomplishments

Bi-Annual Workshops

TFLEx members meet twice annually to share best practices and "needs and leads," learn from industry experts and work together to develop and maintain the ongoing TFLEx Business Plan. These are facilitated workshops where all members are able to participate in roundtable discussions.

Training and Professional Development

TFLEx members identified a need to educate finance staff in the field of transit without extensive costs. Transit 101 was developed as a web-based instructional tool to bring information regarding the transit field to the desktops of staff members whether in finance or other departments. Modules deployed to date include Federal, State, and Local Funding; Procurement; Paratransit Operations: Fare Policy; and Regulatory Framework. Others are in development with a total of 26 planned.

Financial Operations Best Practices

Sharing management tools such as benchmarking, activity-based costing, process mapping, balanced scorecard, key performance indicators, and best practices has been an ongoing activity of members attending the bi-annual workshops. Transit systems taking the lead in these practices share their successes and "opportunities" with their fellow members.

Website Services

Membership in TFLEx provides access to entire TFLEx website. Here members share such information as:

• Posting of templates for finance policy and procedure manuals, RFPs, MOUs, etc.
• "Needs and leads" forum, members post questions that they are researching and request any available information from other members.
• Workshop agendas and presentations.
• Information directory of all TFLEx member contracts.
• Members have access to the complete website, while visitors may only view certain areas.

TFLEx Membership

TFLEx has a goal of 30-35 members. While membership is filling up fast, we still have room for additional members. Annual membership dues are determined by agency size

Membership includes attendance at the twice yearly workshops for a nominal fee. Click here for more information on how to join.