SMART Celebrates National Transportation Week By Honoring Local Transit Advocates!

May 15, 2007 (Detroit) – SMART celebrated National Transportation Week by honoring local advocates who have dedicated their lives to improving Public Transportation. SMART presented “Champions of Transit” Awards to six individuals who have committed themselves to the issue of providing better transportation to the public.

The Champions of Transit Awards ceremony was an official event of National Transportation Week, which is hosted by the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“We have presented Champions of Transit awards to businesses and organizations before to honor National Transportation Week,” explained SMART General Manager Dan Dirks. “This year, we chose to honor the individuals who have committed themselves, even when it was not popular, to making public transit better for everyone.”

SMART hosted the awards ceremony on Tuesday, May 15, 2007 at the Royal Oak Transit Center to honor six Champions of Transit who have influenced public transportation through their continued support and advocacy work.

The award recipients included: Norman White, Director of the Detroit Department of Transportation; Local transit historians Ken and Jack Schramm; Norma Reginold, Founder of Supporters of Regional Transportation (SORT); Richard Blouse, CEO of the Detroit Regional Chamber; Mike Harris, Executive Director, Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America and Penny Williams, Transit Windsor General Manager. Mr. Dirks, who is retiring in June, also received an award.

“We were inspired by the dedication, perseverance and impact these individuals have brought to the issue of public transit as a whole,” said Dirks. “Over the past 30 years, I have had the unique opportunity to work with some of the best people in the industry. It’s an honor to be able to acknowledge them for their contributions.”

The Champions of Transit Awards were created by SMART in 2004 to recognize public transportation and National Transportation Week. National Transportation Week was established in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy declared a permanent date in May. National Transportation Week provides an opportunity for the transportation community to join together on a national level to celebrate the significance of this historical date and to demonstrate the importance of transportation to our economy and society as a whole. For more information, visit www.ntweek.org.

SMART is the suburban transit system for Southeast Michigan providing 12 million rides annually for commuters, entry level workers, senior citizens and people with disabilities. For information about SMART service call 866.962.5515 or visit www.smartbus.org

For More Information, contact Mary Ann Mohring or Beth Gibbons at 313-223-2182 or 2112.