In recognition of tireless and dedicated work to secure investment for community and public transportation throughout California, the California Transit Association was named co-recipient of the George Rucker Memorial Award, presented by the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA).

Association Executive Director Joshua W. Shaw and Executive Committee Chair Doran Barnes accepted the award during CTAA’s recent Community Transportation Expo in Long Beach. The California Association for Coordinated Transportation (CalACT) was the other co-recipient.

The award honored both associations for their advocacy efforts in the fight against state budget cuts, notably the California Transit Association’s lawsuit over diversions of transit-dedicated funding, and CalACT’s successful Capitol rally in defense of transit funding.

In presenting the award, CTAA board member Moses Stites praised both associations for “providing leadership, guidance, resources and encouragement to their members. They have stood tall for all forms of public transportation, always keeping the passengers — our customers! — foremost in their efforts.”

The George Rucker Memorial Award is given each year in memory of a former CTAA staff legislative research analyst who became a leader in defining rural poverty and transportation needs in the United States, and in analyzing public and private sector solutions to poverty.

The CTAA, established in 1989, is a national non-profit, membership association committed to removing barriers to isolation and improving mobility for all people. The Association provides informational resources, technical assistance, training and certification, and many additional resources to communities, transportation providers, and other groups to increase mobility and improve the quality of community and public transportation.