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Home / Spotlight / NORTH CENTRAL REGIONAL TRANSIT DISTRICT RECEIVES FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION ADMINISTRATOR’S AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE IN RURAL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

NORTH CENTRAL REGIONAL TRANSIT DISTRICT RECEIVES FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION ADMINISTRATOR’S AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE IN RURAL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

By NCRTD 

The North Central Regional Transit District (NCRTD) today received the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Administrator’s Award for Outstanding Public Service in Rural Public Transportation. This marks the second time in four years that the District has received this top honor.

The Award was presented to NCRTD Chair and Mayor of the Town of Taos, Daniel Barrone and Executive Director Anthony Mortillaro by FTA Acting Administrator, K. Jane Williams, during the 23rd National Conference on Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation conference in Breckenridge, Colorado on October 1, 2018.

The winners of this year’s Administrator’s Award were selected under the criteria by which rural transit providers demonstrate how their transit system is integral to the infrastructure of the community. “Changing Lives and Strengthening Communities by Creating Value and Enhancing Infrastructure,” was the moniker under which the winners were chosen.

In acknowledging the Award, the FTA stated that, the Administrator’s Awards “are made to rural transit providers that have improved the mobility of Americans in rural areas, providing them better access to employment, health care, and other community services.”

David Harris, Transit and Rail Division Director for the New Mexico Department of Transportation, nominated the NCRTD and stated, “To say that the NCRTD has more than fulfilled the goals of the New Mexico Regional Transit District Act since it began service would not overstate its impact. It continues to set the standard for rural transit in New Mexico, and nationally, but most importantly for the communities it serves.”

NCRTD Board Chair and Mayor of the Town of Taos, Daniel Barrone stated, “It is an honor to be receiving this award from the Federal Transit Administration. I would like to acknowledge NCRTD current and past members who have served on this Board, as well as the employees, who have all worked hard to ensure that we achieve our mission reflected in this national award of prominence.”

According to Anthony Mortillaro, Executive Director at the NCRTD, “I think all the residents of north central New Mexico can share and take pride in this award. When the NCRTD was certified as the first regional transit district in the state of New Mexico, there were many who dreamed that a more than 10,000 square mile, four-county area of northern New Mexico could be connected by a network of bus transit routes to provide residents of urban and rural areas access to jobs, education, medical and quality- of-life services. This acknowledgement shows that we can make it happen and to receive this prestigious honor twice in four years is truly an accomplishment,” he concluded.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is an agency within the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) that provides financial and technical assistance to local public transit systems. The FTA is one of ten modal administrations within the DOT. Headed by an Administrator who is appointed by the President of the United States, the FTA functions through a Washington, D.C., headquarters office and ten regional offices which assist transit agencies in all states, the District of Columbia, and the territories.

The North Central Regional Transit District provides fare-free and premium fare public transit service to an area that encompasses over 10,000 square miles of north central New Mexico including the counties of Taos, Los Alamos, Rio Arriba and Santa Fe; the Cities of Santa Fe and Española, the Village of Chama and the Towns of Taos and Edgewood; as well as the Pueblos of Pojoaque, Ohkay Owingeh, Nambé, San Ildefonso, Santa Clara, Tesuque, Taos, Picirus and the Jicarilla Apache Nation. The agency’s signature “RTD Blue Buses” provide additional transit connections to New Mexico Rail Runner, Santa Fe Trails, New Mexico Park and Ride, Los Alamos Atomic City Transit and Red River Miner’s Transit. More information at: RidetheBlueBus.com

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