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For Immediate Release
Contact: Lewis May
Phone: (812) 332-5688
September 10, 2010
BT Named #1 Small Transit System in North America
Bloomington Transit (BT)
is pleased to announce the receipt of the American Public Transportation
Association’s (APTA) 2010 Outstanding Public Transportation System
Achievement Award for systems in the category of less than 4 million annual
ridership.
“This is the
highest and most prestigious award in our industry,” said Lew May, BT’s General Manager. “We are so pleased, humbled,
and proud to receive this award,” said May. “The award is a credit to so
many people in the Bloomington
community who have supported BT since its inception and shared the vision
of building an outstanding transit system here,” said May.
BT took home the #1
honor in the category of transit systems that carry less than 4 million in
annual ridership. Each year
APTA names and honors a transit system as the outstanding system in several
size categories. Systems are
competitively evaluated based on criteria such as operations, safety,
customer service, environmental sustainability, financial management,
workforce development, attendance and employee costs, marketing, community
relations, policy and administration.
“I heartily
congratulate Bloomington Transit for winning the title of the best small
public transportation system in North America
in 2010,” said American Public Transportation (APTA) President
William Millar. “Receiving the APTA Outstanding Public Transportations
System Award is a high honor. Chosen by their peers, the BT employees
and riders should feel very proud of this great
accomplishment. Winning this award means that Bloomington Transit is a
model of excellence that other public transit systems should emulate.”
“Bloomington
Transit is a part of the community's identity. It contributes to our
community's commerce and character. BT is literally a lifeline to the
heart of our economy and culture. Ever-increasing ridership is
indicative of Bloomington
citizens' faith in and approval of the professionalism and reliability of
Bloomington Transit's service. I'm proud to have BT as a full partner
in making our city work for everyone," according to Mayor Mark Kruzan, on behalf of the City of Bloomington.
BT Board Chair Ray
McConn noted, “It’s been an amazing ride to see how far BT has
come in the past 25 years. From
a system carrying fewer than half a million riders in the mid-80’s to
now over 3 million and still growing.
It’s just been incredible and it’s a testament to our loyal
customers and the dedication and hard work of the drivers, maintenance
personnel, and management staff.
Everyone had a part in winning this award and I congratulate them
each and everyone.”
May added, “so
many people have had a hand in our success over the years including several
mayors, dozens of City Council members, BT Board members, Indiana University,
our local Indiana
Congressional delegation, our devoted customers and employees. We thank all of them for their support
and efforts to make BT what it is today and together we’ll endeavor
to make BT even better in the future.”
APTA is a non-profit
international association of more than 1,500 member organizations including
bus, rapid transit and commuter rail systems. APTA members serve more than 90
percent of people who use public transportation in the United States and Canada.
Bloomington Transit is
the Public Transportation Corporation for the City of Bloomington,
Indiana. Bloomington Transit
set an all-time ridership record in 2009 carrying 3.06 million passenger
trips. Persons seeking more
information on Bloomington Transit services can call 336-RIDE (7433).
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