The California Transit Association (CTA) honored Santa Rosa (Calif.) CityBus with its 2008 Small Operator’s Transit Excellence Award for outstanding and comprehensive programs, during CTA’s annual awards luncheon in Monterey, Calif.

The Transit Excellence Award is earned by a small transit operator who accomplishes an innovation, program or service that demonstrates innovative concepts, effective problem-solving techniques or promotes a positive image for transit in the community.

For the 2008 award, CTA’s Small Operators Committee received seven entries from California transit operators that featured many transit innovations and services including bus rapid transit, innovative commuter programs, new environmentally sensitive transit facilities and various community outreach programs.

Some of Santa Rosa’s accomplishments that were noted, include new solar bus shelters, improved transfer centers, a new mobile transit information center and a new transit operations building, as well as involving CityBus staff in discussions regarding the creation of new developments that are transit, bicycle and pedestrian friendly, along with finding ways to solve the urban challenges of a growing city through pubic transit and alternative transportation.