The committee is an important part of the Authority’s evaluations and decision making
The Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) of the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) is seeking Pennsylvania residents to fill currently vacant seats. The committee serves an important role in informing DRPA and PATCO decision making. The CAC functions as an independent advisory body representing DRPA motorists and PATCO passengers on DRPA matters, including operations, budgets, policy and issues of general concern. CAC members counsel the DRPA senior management and the Board of Commissioners, but do not vote on board resolutions.
“Members of the CAC have the opportunity to express their concerns on behalf of our stakeholders. Their input is essential when it comes to making sure the DRPA and PATCO are operating as efficiently and effectively as possible,” said John T. Hanson, DRPA CEO and PATCO President.
“It’s beneficial for the Authority to have outside volunteers to bring their attention to things that are a community concern,” said Bob Melikian, a CAC Member from Gladwyne, PA. “Our members come from varied backgrounds and education levels and have different interests and opinions so there is a continuous flow of fresh ideas.”
The CAC was established in 2010 to encourage and enlist the participation of citizen customers who have a stake in the Authority's day-to-day operations. The 24 members of the CAC - 12 each from Pennsylvania and New Jersey - serve a three-year, unpaid term. There are currently vacancies for Pennsylvania memberships. Participation requires attendance at monthly meetings, which usually occur the second Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m., held at DRPA headquarters, One Port Center, in Camden. These meetings are open to the public.
The ideal applicant should be a civic-minded person who routinely uses the PATCO commuter rail line, any DRPA bridge (Ben Franklin, Walt Whitman, Commodore Barry and Betsy Ross) or both.
“Serving on the committee is also very educational,” added Melikian who also serves as the committee’s recruitment chair. “After serving on the committee, I have a new appreciation of what it takes to run a transportation agency. It’s a lot more complicated than I initially imagined.”
Interested members of the community should complete an application for membership. An application is available here. Printed applications are also available in the lobby of One Port Center (DRPA Headquarters in Camden), the administration buildings of all four bridges as well as at PATCO stations. Applicants with questions may call DRPA Customer Service at 1-877-567-3772 (press option 5).
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