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Mobility coalition celebrates 10 years by honoring bus drivers

The Boulder County Mobility and Access Coalition highlighted local drivers and workers who make a difference.
mobilityheroesawards
The Boulder County Mobility and Access Coalition highlighted local drivers and workers who make a difference.

The Boulder County Mobility and Access Coalition celebrated its 10th anniversary Nov. 3 by presenting awards to local “mobility heroes.”

More than 75 guests attended the celebration, including bus drivers, dispatchers, volunteer drivers, safety professionals, schedulers and coalition members.

As the nationwide driver shortage continues, the coalition sought to “recognize the dedication of transportation professionals who work tirelessly every day to connect community members to health care, school and economic opportunities,” Boulder County said in a news release.

One of the 11 mobility hero awards was given to Hector Castano, a Boulder Valley School Bus driver who was featured in a video that highlighted some of the most passionate drivers and workers in the county.

“I’ve been at this job for 14 or 15 years, and in that time, I’ve seen kindergarteners make it all the way to high school,” Castano said in Spanish, which was translated into subtitles for the video. “So I love seeing them change and grow.”

Castano received the Favorite School Bus Driver Award.

Ten other awards were given out:

  • 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 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 Boulder County Mobility and Access Coalition also recognized members for their “dedication to expanding equitable, affordable and accessible transportation options in Boulder County,” the news release read:

  • 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.

Thirty-seven people in Boulder County were nominated for the mobility hero awards, according to the coalition’s website.


Amber Fisher

About the Author: Amber Fisher

I'm thrilled to be an assistant editor with the Longmont Leader after spending the past decade reporting for news outlets across North America. When I'm not writing, you can find me snowboarding, reading fiction and running (poorly).
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