Stephen G. Bland

Mr. Bland is responsible for overseeing the planning and operation of all services provided by the Port Authority of Allegheny County, including bus, light rail, incline and paratransit operations.

Mr. Bland was hired as chief executive officer in May, 2006 and began work on June 12. Prior to joining the Port Authority, Mr. Bland was the executive director of the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) in Albany, N.Y. Under his leadership, CDTA made significant improvements in maintenance and ridership, including a 73 percent reduction in average defects per vehicle, a one-year ridership gain of 11 percent and an eight percent increase in passenger revenue.

A 21-year transit professional, Mr. Bland previously served eight years as executive director of rabbittransit in York, Pa.; three years as general manager at rabbittransit; four years as manager of operations planning at Central New York RTA in Syracuse, New York; one year as general manager at Cape Ann Transportation Authority in Gloucester, Massachusetts; and one year as vehicle maintenance system coordinator at Dallas Area Rapid Transit in Dallas, Texas.

Mr. Bland’s extensive background in public transit also includes service as chairman of the Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association Board of Directors and president of the New York Public Transit Association. Mr. Bland has been heavily involved with community groups in both York and Albany, and he is a strong advocate for accessible and affordable public transportation for persons with disabilities. He has been a member of the Bus & Paratransit CEO Committee of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) for the past four years, and he is also a member of APTA’s Legislative Committee and chairman of its Finance and Tax Policy Subcommittee.

Mr. Bland graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana with a Bachelor of Science degree, with Distinction, in Public Affairs, majoring in Transportation Planning and Management. He also holds a Master of Public Affairs degree in Public Finance from Indiana University.