San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) has been named the 2018 Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award winner by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).

“I congratulate San Joaquin RTD for winning the 2018 Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award,” said APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas. “This is a very prestigious award that only goes to those public transit systems in North America that have excelled in their service and leadership. Everyone that works for RTD and the community it serves should be very proud of RTD.”

The transit district has garnered national attention for its achievements in environmental sustainability, forward-thinking business practices, and infrastructure development. Despite a severely reduced operating budget due to serious, well-known economic challenges over the last 10 years in Stockton, RTD has consistently delivered innovative and high-quality services even with necessary service reductions.

“All of us here at RTD are very honored to have received the most prestigious award given in our industry,” said RTD CEO Donna DeMartino. “There are 285 employees on the RTD team. They do their best to provide extraordinary customer service and make RTD the transportation service of choice for the residents we serve. Winning this award required contributions from every one of them and reflects their successful efforts. From our state-of-the-art Regional Transportation Center to our first-in-the-nation all-electric BRT route, we are proud to build the best transit system for the residents and environment of San Joaquin County.”

During the long economic crisis in Stockton, RTD was able to deliver important capital investments in the community such as the Downtown Transit Center and Regional Transit Center, a new fleet of environmentally-friendly buses, and four new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors.

RTD’s commitment to the environment can be seen in its fleet. RTD was one of the first transit agencies in the U.S. to test hybrid and all-electric buses. In 2017, Stockton made history when RTD’s third BRT Corridor became the first all-electric BRT Corridor in the nation. RTD’s Board of Directors recently passed a resolution to convert the entire Stockton area bus fleet to all-electric by 2025.

RTD has introduced a Transit Ambassador Program, unique brand mascots, new fare vending machines and mobile ticketing technology, and improved customer service software and applications to make the customer experience better and provide exceptional customer service through innovation.

While many changes have occurred since RTD’s inception in 1965, a robust public transit system is still an essential part of a strong community, providing jobs, supporting economic development, and connecting people to work, school, medical services, and social activities. To build this award-winning transit system, RTD’s employees are committed to providing a safe, reliable, and efficient transportation system for the diverse residents they serve.

With the promise of extraordinary customer service, a focus on sustainability, and a commitment to the people of San Joaquin County as its legacy, RTD is honored to be recognized nationally with the Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award.

San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) is the regional transit provider for San Joaquin County. RTD’s mission is to provide a safe, reliable, and efficient transportation system for the region. For more information, visit sjRTD.com, follow RTD on Facebook and Twitter, or call (209) 943-1111.