“Professionally, I have accomplished everything I had envisioned for RTD and more,” said Donna DeMartino of her role as CEO of San Joaquin RTD.
SJRTD
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“Professionally, I have accomplished everything I had envisioned for RTD and more,” said Donna DeMartino of her role as CEO of San Joaquin RTD.
SJRTD
Donna DeMartino is stepping down from her position of CEO at San Joaquin Regional Transit District in late January after 19 years of service at the California-based agency.
DeMartino has accepted the position of Managing Director of Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency, a joint powers authority that has management responsibility for the state-supported Pacific Surfliner intercity passenger rail service. The 351-mile LOSSAN Corridor travels through a six-county coastal region in Southern California and is the second-busiest intercity passenger rail corridor in the U.S. and the busiest state-supported Amtrak route.
The RTD Board announced that it will begin contract discussions with Gloria Salazar, Deputy CEO at RTD, to assume the role of CEO after DeMartino’s departure in January. The Board also announced its support of Kimberly Gayle as Deputy CEO/Chief of Staff.
Notable successes and achievements under DeMartino’s leadership:
Led environmentally important fleet changes, testing some of the first diesel-electric hybrid and all-electric buses in the state, ultimately converting the entire Stockton Metropolitan Area (SMA) fleet to all hybrid and electric buses.
Designed and funded important facilities upgrades, including the construction of a new Downtown Transit Center, a new Regional Transportation Center, and several major passenger transferlocations. RTD was able to make these long-term infrastructure investments in the community by successfully competing for and obtaining over $175 million in federal and state grants and without incurring any debt for RTD.
Implemented important service changes, in particular by introducing five high-capacity bus rapid transit (BRT) corridors; city and countywide deviated fixed-route Hoppers; partnerships with United Cerebral Palsy, taxi providers, and most recently UBER to deliver ADA and general public transit services in a more cost-effective manner. Introduced Van Go!—an innovative ride sharing service.
Initiated a partnership with SUSD to provide free transportation for all 7th–12thgrade students.
Led the agency to win multiple awards and recognitions, including the 2018 Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement –American Public Transportation Association (APTA); Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS) Innovative Transportation Solution Award; California Transportation Foundation (CTF) Sustainable Transportation/Environmental Award.
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“Professionally, I have accomplished everything I had envisioned for RTD and more,” said DeMartino. “Together we have made important infrastructure investments that will serve this community for decades. It has been a great ride, and I am proud to be leaving RTD in a very strong state of repair and with extraordinary alliances and support from our local, state, and federal representatives and regulatory partners. I am thankful for this amazing opportunity.”
The region’s fixed-route system finished out the year with a total of 373.5 million rides. Adding 12.3 million rides over 2024 represents an increase that is equal to the annual transit ridership of Kansas City.
The service is a flexible, reservation-based transit service designed to close the first- and last-mile gaps and connect riders to employment for just $5 per day.
The upgraded system, which went live earlier this month, supports METRO’s METRONow vision to enhance the customer experience, improve service reliability, and strengthen long-term regional mobility.
The agreement provides competitive wages and reflects strong labor-management collaboration, positive working relationships, and a shared commitment to building a world-class transit system for the community, said RTA CEO Lona Edwards Hankins.
The priorities are outlined in the 2026 Board and CEO Initiatives and Action Plan, which serves as a roadmap to guide the agency’s work throughout the year and ensure continued progress and accountability on voter-approved transportation investments and essential mobility services.
