MTC Seeks Nominations for Its Transportation Awards Program

Nomination Deadline Is June 2, 2006

OAKLAND, Calif., April 11 -- Is your bus driver the friendliest, most helpful person on earth? Is there a unique effort in your community that has significantly improved your commute? It's time to recognize those exceptional projects, groups and people who have made it a little easier to get around the Bay Area by nominating them for a Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) award.

MTC is the regional transportation planning agency for the nine-county San Francisco region, and its awards program recognizes individuals, projects and organizations that develop new and better ways to help people get where they're going each day. With the award theme of "Excellence in Motion," MTC is seeking nominations for five special award categories:

  -- The Miriam Gholikely Award recognizes extraordinary accomplishments in
     the field of community service, volunteerism, advocacy, leadership or
     minority affairs.
  -- The Doris W. Kahn Accessible Transportation Award honors efforts that
     have resulted in significant improvement in transportation services for
     the elderly or persons with disabilities.
  -- The David Tannehill Special Employee Award is intended for a bus
     driver, train operator or other transportation employee who goes beyond
     the call of duty.
  -- The Greta Ericson Distinguished Service Award recognizes long-term,
     quality leadership in the transportation profession.
  -- And the John F. Foran Legislative Award honors a state or federal
     legislator whose work has had a positive effect on transportation.

In addition to the special awards listed above, the public is encouraged to submit nominations for Awards of Merit designed to recognize worthy organizations, persons or projects, regardless of their specific transportation focus. Examples of past Award of Merit winners include programs that make more efficient use of the transportation network, groups that work to inform and educate the public about transportation issues, individual or group efforts to improve transit service or boost smart growth, and efforts to promote the use of bicycling or other alternatives to driving alone.

The deadline for all nominations is Friday, June 2, 2006. Winners will be selected by a jury representing MTC and the community. Visit the MTC Web page at www.mtc.ca.gov to submit an application online or to download an application form. Call the MTC Public Information Office at 510-817-5757 for more information.