草榴社区transportation racks up awards at MS Public Transit Association annual conference
Contact: Mary Pollitz听
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擳he Starkville-草榴社区Area Rapid Transit system and three Mississippi State University drivers were recognized during the recent Mississippi Public Transit Association conference for their outstanding work, community service and innovation.
Celebrating its 10th year in operation at MSU, S.M.A.R.T. was recognized as MPTA Rural General Public Transit System of the Year. The system provides transportation through campus, Starkville and to the Golden Triangle Regional Airport鈥攐ffering approximately 7,000 paratransit trips a year. To date, the transit system has served more than 6 million riders.
In addition, the university team was named Innovative Agency of the Year颅鈥攔ecognizing MSU鈥檚 recent addition of the Campus Autonomous Bus, the university鈥檚 electric shuttle.
Joe Lynn Moore, a S.M.A.R.T. transit operator, was honored with MPTA鈥檚 Community Service Award. This award honors a public transportation coordinator who has made outstanding contributions in the industry. Moore invests in the university and the Starkville community by continually training new S.M.A.R.T. operators as well as Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District bus drivers.
鈥淚 was surprised, thankful and grateful,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t speaks volumes that they thought of me for the award. I like my job. I enjoy that I can meet folks from all over and we fellowship and learn from each other.鈥
Theodis Young and Tommy Lott, also S.M.A.R.T. transit operators, were recognized as Outstanding Staff Members.
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