WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Zero Emission Transportation Association (ZETA) announced today that it has joined the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) to help ensure a fair and inclusive transition to a clean transportation future. COMTO’s mission is to create new opportunities and maximize participation in the transportation industry for minority individuals, veterans, people with disabilities, and certified MWDBE businesses.
“Electric vehicles will revolutionize commerce and transportation across our country, creating millions of jobs and hundreds of billions of dollars in new investments. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our country, and it must be done with fairness and inclusion in mind,” said Joe Britton, Executive Director of ZETA. “Every community must have a seat at the table to make sure there is equal opportunity to thrive in this dynamic new sector, and the best way to do that is to partner with vital organizations like COMTO.”
COMTO has more than 3,000 members in 37 chapters across the United States and Canada and represents more than 3 million minorities working throughout the transportation industry. From highways and roads to mass transit systems, subways, rail systems, port authorities, and airports, COMTO members represent every facet of the transportation industry.
“Our transition to a clean transportation economy will not happen overnight. It will take years of hard work and require community building, public-private partnerships, and a clear view of our country’s past,” said Britton. “We must be thoughtful and deliberate in how we build, where we build, and for whom we build. We must ensure that the opportunities we create are accessible for all communities. This will not only make the transition smoother, but it will also make it more resilient and beneficial to everyone.”
“ZETA’s focus on a clean transportation future for all is in sync with COMTO’s mission to build an equitable transportation industry. COMTO offers equity-minded organizations like ZETA an opportunity to build connections with agencies, corporations and Historically Underutilized Businesses who will all have a role in making the transition to clean transportation a reality” said April Rai, COMTO President and CEO. “By working together to ensure that the industry hires individuals from diverse backgrounds, partners with Minority, Women, Disadvantaged Business Enterprises and guarantees access to clean transportation in underserved communities—we move closer to a healthier environment and more equitable transportation industry.
COMTO’s members include transportation agencies, corporations, Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs), industry non-profits, academic institutions, individuals, students, transportation system executives, and the mechanics and operators who ensure the safe passage of millions of transportation riders every day. COMTO is a vital resource for transportation planning and a respected leadership hub for the future of transportation systems.
About ZETA
The Zero Emission Transportation Association (ZETA) is a federal coalition focused on advocating for 100% EV sales by 2030. ZETA is committed to enacting policies that drive EV adoption, create hundreds of thousands of jobs, secure American global EV manufacturing leadership, drastically improve public health, and significantly reduce carbon pollution.
About the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO)
Founded in 1971, the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring full access for minorities in transportation while preparing and positioning leaders for rapidly evolving global opportunities. With more than 3,000 members in 37 chapters throughout the U.S. and Canada, COMTO is driven by a mission to increase opportunities and participation in the transportation industry for minority individuals, veterans, people with disabilities and certified Minority, Women, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (MWDBE) businesses through leadership training, professional development, scholarship and internship funding, political advocacy, partnership building and networking opportunities. For more information, visit https://comtonational.org/.
