MTD Receives “Imagine A World” Award

Alfpha Resource Center Honors Exemplary Bus Service

At a recent Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District Board of Directors meeting, Alpha Resource Center presented the MTD Board and Staff with the “Imagine a World” award. Inspired by Alpha’s vision that all people in the community be treated with dignity and respect, “Imagine a World” recognizes businesses, organizations and individuals who share this vision.

“MTD consistently provides safe and friendly service to those with disabilities in our community,” said Marisa Pasquini, Outreach Coordinator for Alpha. “We are grateful to MTD for their part in creating an inclusive environment for people in our community with special needs.”

Santa Barbara MTD rider and Alpha Resource Center participant Dennis Subica (center) displays the “Imagine a World” award he presented to the Board and staff of MTD at a recent Board meeting. Accepting the award, from left, are Board Directors John Britton, Richard Weinberg, Alpha Director of Finance and Development Cory Woodruff, Chuck McQuarry, MTD Board Chair Dave Davis, Alpha Outreach Coordinator Marisa Pasquini, Brian Fahnestock and Olivia Rodriguez.

Cory Woodruff, Alpha Resource Director of Finance and Development, presented the award along with Alpha participant and long-time MTD passenger Dennis Subica. “I rode MTD as an elementary school student, to get to Franklin School,” said Ms. Woodruff. “In fact, that’s where I first met Dennis, all those years ago – on the bus from school.” Mr. Subica summed up the ceremony by stating, “You guys are great!”

On hand to accept the award on behalf of MTD was the Board of Directors and several staff members, including General Manager Sherrie Fisher. “When I started at MTD 36 years ago, I drove the bus that served Alpha Training. It’s been our pleasure to serve this organization for nearly 40 years.”

The Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District, with its focus on passenger service, provides a reliable, safe, comfortable means of mobility to those who lack other transportation, including students, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. MTD also provides an attractive transportation option for commuters and shoppers who might otherwise drive a car. MTD provides more than 31,000 passenger trips each weekday resulting in 22,676 cars being left at home on weekdays. MTD provided more than 8,300,000 passenger trips last fiscal year. Santa Barbara is recognized as a transit intensive community and is ranked in the top ten in the nation for per capita bus usage. MTD operates North America’s largest fleet of 100% battery electric buses. Additionally, MTD was the first in California to operate its fleet of diesel and diesel-electric buses with a bio-diesel blend of fuel.