Members are engaged in every aspect of the industry – from planning, designing, financing, constructing and operating transit systems to the research, development, manufacturing and maintenance of vehicles, equipment and transit-related products and services.

Paul Skoutelas was elected by the APTA Board of Directors in November 2017[3] and became president and chief executive officer in January 2018.

He was CEO of public transit systems in Pittsburgh and Orlando and as senior vice president for WSP USA, one of the world's largest architectural and engineering firms.

Elections are held each fall during APTA's annual business meeting, and nominations typically open in June of each year.

The organization that would eventually become known as APTA was first established as the American Street Railway Association on December 12, 1882, in Boston, Massachusetts.

APTA has more than 135 subject-matter committees and subcommittee that address issues of interest to the public transportation industry and develop strategies, solutions, policies and programs.