Transportation Services Earns International Distinction

Texas A&M University Transportation Services recently reaffirmed its status as an Accredited Parking Organization (APO) with Distinction, joining an elite class of the top organizations in the parking, transportation and mobility industry.

“We are proud to achieve accreditation with distinction again. This recognition is a testament to the expertise and commitment to service of the dedicated professionals throughout our division,” said Peter Lange, associate vice president of Transportation Services at Texas A&M. “We strive to be leaders in our industry and to provide services to our campus and customers that are convenient, connected, safe, accessible and sustainable. Our staff consistently strive to accomplish these goals and we are thrilled to see their efforts recognized.”

APO is a designation for organizations that recognizes best practices in responsible parking management and operations, customer service, professional development, sustainability and access management, safety, data security and risk management, and more.

Going The Extra Mile

To maintain the APO accreditation, an organization demonstrates its ongoing commitment to evaluation and improvement by implementing industry best practices. Accredited organizations must accomplish more than 125 criteria; organizations with distinction, like Texas A&M, must meet more than 60 additional requirements.

“This achievement is the top benchmark of success in our industry, and it follows a comprehensive documentation and review process,” explained Shawn Conrad, CEO of the International Parking & Mobility Institute (IPMI), the organization that sets the standards for APO Accreditation and Accreditation with Distinction. The APO program recognizes industry standards that develop, ensure, and support a high level of professionalism and competency in parking, transportation, and mobility management. “Only best-of-class organizations can meet the demanding level of excellence required to gain accreditation,” Conrad continued.

Organizations apply for reaccreditation every three years, demonstrating their commitment to continue to meet the evolving APO standards. “Parking at an accredited facility or operation assures the public that the parking organization adheres to a strict code of ethics and meets national and internationally endorsed standards for professionalism, accountability, responsibility, and performance,” Conrad said. “These organizations represent the top tier of service and performance in the parking and mobility sector and set the bar for all others to follow.”