Ļć½¶Ö±²„

Ļć½¶Ö±²„transportation racks up awards at MS Public Transit Association annual conference

Ļć½¶Ö±²„transportation racks up awards at MS Public Transit Association annual conference

Mississippi State transportation won three driver awards, Rural General Public Transit System of the Year and Innovative Agency of the Year during recent Mississippi Public Associationā€™s conference. From left, S.M.A.R.T. transit operators Theodis Young, Tommy Lott, Joe Lynne Moore; Tom Perkins, assistant director for transit services; and Jeremiah Dumas, executive director of transportation. (Submitted Photo).
Mississippi State transportation won three driver awards, Rural General Public Transit System of the Year and Innovative Agency of the Year during the recent Mississippi Public Association conference. From left, S.M.A.R.T. transit operators Theodis Young, Tommy Lott, Joe Lynne Moore; Tom Perkins, assistant director for transit services; and Jeremiah Dumas, executive director of transportation. (Submitted Photo)

Contact: Mary PollitzĢż

STARKVILLE, Miss.ā€”The Starkville-Ļć½¶Ö±²„Area Rapid Transit system and three Ļć½¶Ö±²„ drivers were recognized during the recent Mississippi Public Transit Association conference for their outstanding work, community service and innovation.

Celebrating its 10th year in operation at MSU, S.M.A.R.T. was recognized as MPTA Rural General Public Transit System of the Year. The system provides transportation through campus, Starkville and to the Golden Triangle Regional Airportā€”offering approximately 7,000 paratransit trips a year. To date, the transit system has served more than 6 million riders.

Mississippi State S.M.A.R.T. transit operator, left, accepts the Community Service Award during the Mississippi Public Transit Associationā€™s recent conference. Ļć½¶Ö±²„won three driver awards, Rural General Public Transit System of the Year and Innovative Agency of the Year. (Submitted Photo).
Mississippi State S.M.A.R.T. transit operator Joe Lynne Moore, left, accepts the Community Service Award during the Mississippi Public Transit Associationā€™s recent conference. Ļć½¶Ö±²„won three driver awards, Rural General Public Transit System of the Year and Innovative Agency of the Year. (Submitted Photo)

In addition, the university team was named Innovative Agency of the YearĀ­ā€”recognizing MSUā€™s recent addition of the Campus Autonomous Bus, the universityā€™s electric shuttle.

Joe Lynn Moore, a S.M.A.R.T. transit operator, was honored with MPTAā€™s Community Service Award. This award honors a public transportation coordinator who has made outstanding contributions in the industry. Moore invests in the university and the Starkville community by continually training new S.M.A.R.T. operators as well as Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District bus drivers.

ā€œI was surprised, thankful and grateful,ā€ she said. ā€œIt speaks volumes that they thought of me for the award. I like my job. I enjoy that I can meet folks from all over and we fellowship and learn from each other.ā€

Theodis Young and Tommy Lott, also S.M.A.R.T. transit operators, were recognized as Outstanding Staff Members.

For more information on MSUā€™s Parking and Transit Services, visitĢż.

MSU's newest electric-autonomous shuttle, provided by Beep Inc., launches this week. (Photo by Jonah Holland)
Ļć½¶Ö±²„Transportation's newest electric-autonomous shuttle, provided by Beep Inc., launched this year. (Photo by Jonah Holland)

Ļć½¶Ö±²„ is taking care of what matters. Learn more atĢż.