Mobility and Access Coalition celebrates 10-year anniversary
On November 3, 2022, Boulder County’s Mobility and Access Coalition (MAC) celebrated their 10-year anniversary at the Boulder Jewish Community Center. This celebration commemorated the coalition’s accomplishments and awarded our regions’ drivers and other transportation professionals who have helped advance transportation equity in Boulder County and beyond. More than 75 guests attended the celebration including bus drivers, school bus drivers, volunteer drivers, dispatchers, schedulers, safety professionals, and MAC members. Commissioner Marta Loachamin shared opening remarks. Community Table Kitchen catered this event.
This celebration highlighted the importance of collaboration as a fundamental tool to advance equity; the relevance of effective multimodal transportation systems; past MAC achievements; and took a moment to recognize drivers and other essential transportation professionals. View a photo album of the event.
In light of the nationwide driver shortage, the MAC wanted to recognize the dedication of transportation professionals who work tirelessly every day to connect community members to health care, school, and economic opportunities. The MAC presented 11 awards to the following Mobility Heroes:
- Favorite Fixed-Route Bus Driver Award: Leah Six, Lyons Flyer Service.
- Favorite Mountain Transportation Driver Award: Chris Perret, Peaceful Drives.
- Favorite Nonprofit Paratransit Driver Award: Bonnie Loos, Via Mobility Services Paratransit.
- Favorite On Demand Transit Driver Award: Roberto Sanchez, Ride Free Lafayette.
- Favorite School Bus Driver Award: Hector Castano, Boulder Valley School District.
- Favorite School Transportation Professional Award: Jane Fastenau, Boulder Valley School District.
- Favorite Transit Professional Award: Audrey Riehl, Via Mobility Services.
- Favorite Transportation Safety Professional Award: Sandee Cirian, Community Cycles.
- Favorite Volunteer Driver Awards: Terry Sheffer, Cultivate, and to Steve Carnes, Via Mobility Services.
- Favorite Regional Bus Driver Award: Roberta Lynn Matzke, RTD.
The MAC also recognized four long-standing members for their dedication to expanding equitable, affordable, and accessible transportation options in Boulder County
- Michele Waite, formerly with City of Longmont Senior Services.
- Sandy Stewart, formerly with OUR Center, Longmont.
- Lenna Kottke, formerly with Via Mobility Services.
- Aaron Pasterz, Center for People with Disabilities.
Mobility Hero Nominees
Name | Transit provider | |
1 | Amy Thompson | Boulder Valley School District |
2 | Anthony Skala | Boulder Valley School District |
3 | Brittney Connolly | Boulder Valley School District |
4 | Hector Castano | Boulder Valley School District |
5 | Jane Fastenau | Boulder Valley School District |
6 | Joseph Cleveland | Boulder Valley School District |
7 | Kevin Williams | Boulder Valley School District |
8 | Kim Cooley | Boulder Valley School District |
9 | Kipp Nash | Boulder Valley School District |
10 | Michael Guidarelli | Boulder Valley School District |
11 | Paul Weissmann | Boulder Valley School District |
12 | Shane Julias | Boulder Valley School District |
13 | Tom Casey | Boulder Valley School District |
14 | Val Hughes | Boulder Valley School District |
16 | Sandee Cirian | Community Cycles |
21 | Tzegai Negash | Passage Quality Mobile Transit |
22 | Chris Perret | Peaceful Rides, in Nederland |
23 | Lewis Housley | RTD |
24 | Roberta Lynn Matzke | RTD |
25 | Timothy Wolcott | RTD |
26 | Terry Sheffer | VetsGo – Cultivate |
27 | Annie Montelione | Via Mobility Services |
28 | Bonnie Loos | Via Mobility Services |
29 | Bret Gibson | Via Mobility Services |
30 | Robert Gray | Via Mobility Services |
31 | Salvador Subia | Via Mobility Services |
32 | Steve Carnes | Via Mobility Services |
33 | Audrey Riehl | Via Mobility Services – Dispatcher |
34 | Christina Archuleta | Via Mobility Services – HOP – City of Boulder bus |
35 | Leah Six | Via Mobility Services – Lyons Flyer |
36 | Rick Johnson | Via Mobility Services – Ridefree |
37 | Roberto Sanchez | Via Mobility Services – Ridefree |