CityBus to receive award
for transit system
of year
By Heather Mangold
City
Editor
The American Public Transportation Association
will award CityBus of Greater Lafayette the public transit system of
the year award in October.
General manager of CityBus, Martin Sennett, said
he was proud of the award.
"I feel very honored that our trade association
has selected us as transit system of the year," said Sennett.
CityBus reported carrying 2.8 million riders in
2000, a 66 percent increase from 1998.
Purdue's role in the increased ridership of CityBus
was acknowledged. The company is entering its third year in a contract
with Purdue that allows students and staff to ride free.
Sennett said that in addition to the increased
ridership of CityBus, the company's effort to improve its image and
change its logo both played a role in the company's award. Purdue pays
CityBus approximately $966,341 per year in order to keep this arrangement.
Mike Jasper, manager of parking facilities at Purdue,
said CityBus has brought tremendous relief to some of the traffic problems
at Purdue.
"It addresses a number of problems we have such
as too much traffic in confined areas and limited parking where there
is a high demand," said Jasper. "The university is attempting to make
the heart of campus a walking campus with no traffic or parking within
the interior of the campus."
Sennett said while Purdue played a big part in
the success of CityBus, employees of the company were due for some acknowledgement
as well.
"The men and women who comprise CityBus have worked
very hard to get this award."
As a result, Sennett said beginning Jan. 1 all
drivers at CityBus would receive a raise in pay.
Sennett attributed this award not only to the men
and women of CityBus, but also to the help from the cities of Lafayette
and West Lafayette.
Within the cities' cooperation with CityBus, transit-oriented
development was put into place in areas such as Riehle Plaza and the
John Meyers Pedestrian Bridge. In 1998, a childcare center was built
for transit-dependent parents and CityBus employees in downtown Lafayette.
An additional childcare facility is under construction in Wabash Landing
now.
West Lafayette mayor Sonya Margerum said the award
was well deserved.
"It's a premier system which provides excellent
service," said Margerum. "It's very well run."
Margerum said that since Sennett came to work at
CityBus, things have improved tremendously.
"I think he's been very innovative and at the same
time has had a very fiscally responsive and responsible operation,"
said Margerum.
Sennett said the award would not result in any
additional federal funding for the company, but could influence government
agencies to continue earmarking the funds that are appropriated for
CityBus each year.
Sennett said CityBus would like to continue to
play an active role in making the Greater Lafayette area an enjoyable
community.
Tomorrow, in honor of Tri-Transit Week, CityBus
will offer a free ride and free food for the public.
"The public is welcome to grab a bite and maybe
ride a bus to see what it's like," said Sennett.
|
