Mobility and Access bus service celebrates 10 years (Lyons driver gets award)

Mobility and Access Coalition celebrates 10-year anniversary
Celebration of accomplishments and transportation professionals who help advance transportation equity in Boulder County

Boulder County, Colo. –  Boulder County Mobility and Access Coalition (MAC) celebrated their 10-year anniversary at the Boulder Jewish Community Center on Nov. 3, 2022. This celebration commemorated the coalition’s accomplishments and awarded our regions’ drivers and other transportation professionals who have helped advance transportation equity in Boulder County and beyond.

More than 75 guests attended the celebration including bus drivers, school bus drivers, volunteer drivers, dispatchers, schedulers, safety professionals, and MAC members. Commissioner Marta Loachamin shared opening remarks. Community Table Kitchen catered this event.

The celebration highlighted the importance of collaboration as a fundamental tool to advance equity; the relevance of effective multimodal transportation systems; past MAC achievements; and took a moment to recognize drivers and other essential transportation professionals.
In light of the nationwide driver shortage, the MAC wanted to recognize the dedication of transportation professionals who work tirelessly every day to connect community members to health care, school, and economic opportunities.

The MAC presented 11 awards to the following Mobility Heroes:

Favorite Fixed-Route Bus Driver Award: Leah Six, Lyons Flyer Service.
Favorite Mountain Transportation Driver Award: Chris Perret, Peaceful Drives.
Favorite Nonprofit Paratransit Driver Award: Bonnie Loos, Via Mobility Services Paratransit.
Favorite On Demand Transit Driver Award: Roberto Sanchez, Ride Free Lafayette.
Favorite School Bus Driver Award: Hector Castano, Boulder Valley School District.
Favorite School Transportation Professional Award: Jane Fastenau, Boulder Valley School District.
Favorite Transit Professional Award: Audrey Riehl, Via Mobility Services.
Favorite Transportation Safety Professional Award: Sandee Cirian, Community Cycles.
Favorite Volunteer Driver Awards: Terry Sheffer, Cultivate, and to Steve Carnes, Via Mobility Services.
Favorite Regional Bus Driver Award: Roberta Lynn Matzke, RTD.

The MAC also recognized four long-standing members for their dedication to expanding equitable, affordable, and accessible transportation options in Boulder County:
Michele Waite, formerly with City of Longmont Senior Services.
Sandy Stewart, formerly with OUR Center, Longmont.
Lenna Kottke, formerly with Via Mobility Services.
Aaron Pasterz, Center for People with Disabilities.

View the complete list of nominee’s and a video of the drivers sharing their job experiences and a photo album of the event.

If you’re interested in participating in the MAC, monthly virtual meetings are held on the second Monday of the month. For more information visit the MAC website and subscribe to our newsletter.