Santa Barbara MTD named Calif. Transit Agency of the Year
California Transit Association’s Transit Agency of the Year award recognizes a program or service that demonstrates innovative concepts, effective problem-solving techniques, or promotes a positive image of transit in the community.
Santa Barbara MTD was recognized for its launch of real-time arrival bus information via a smartphone app and texting feature, improving fiscal stability measures, and for a deepened partnership with UC Santa Barbara in the creation of the Line 28 service. Photo: Santa Barbara MTD
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Santa Barbara MTD was recognized for its launch of real-time arrival bus information via a smartphone app and texting feature, improving fiscal stability measures, and for a deepened partnership with UC Santa Barbara in the creation of the Line 28 service. Photo: Santa Barbara MTD
California Transit Association’s 52nd Annual Fall Conference and Expo in Riverside, California presented Santa Barbara MTD with its Transit Agency of the Year award.
The Transit Agency of the Year Award is awarded to a program or service that demonstrates innovative concepts, effective problem-solving techniques, or promotes a positive image of transit in the community.
Santa Barbara MTD was recognized for its launch of real-time arrival bus information via a smartphone app and texting feature, improving fiscal stability measures, and for a deepened partnership with UC Santa Barbara in the creation of the Line 28 service.
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.