The City of San Luis Obispo Transit Division is celebrating two recent awards of excellence. In celebration of the recognition and to recognize Earth Day, community members are invited to ride City buses for free on Saturday, April 21.
CalACT, the largest state transit association in the United States, named SLO Transit the Outstanding Transportation Agency for 2018. The award honors an agency that has demonstrated achievement in efficiency, effectiveness and customer service.
The American Public Works Association (APWA) also honored the division with the 2017 Project of the Year – Sustainable Initiatives award for its transit fleet modernization and upgrade project.
Last year, three City buses originally purchased in 2001 were replaced with brand-new, energy efficient vehicles. The new buses feature perimeter seating for maximum standing capacity and video infotainment systems alerting passengers to updates and promotions. SLO Transit is also the first agency in the world to implement a hand sanitizer dispensing system on its entire fleet and has installed free public Wi-Fi on all vehicles.
Last year saw record-setting ridership (1.2 million people) with the strongest growth amongst middle school and high school students (increase in ridership of more than 180 percent).
SLO Transit operates eight vehicles at peak along eight fixed routes within the 23 square mile city limits of San Luis Obispo and Cal Poly. Buses run Monday through Friday from approximately 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can learn more by visiting www.SLOTransit.org.