It is an honor to nominate Barb Daugherty for Transit Administrator of the Year. Her dedication and exceptional performance in her work as the Transportation Director for the Sheridan Senior Center’s Public Transportation Program puts her in a class all her own.     Barb was hired April 29, 2002. Over the past three years, she has made a tremendous difference in transportation services in Sheridan. She is a valuable member of the senior center staff—a dependable and dedicated employee. Barb works independently and takes a leadership role in matters concerning not only the transportation area but also the organization as a whole.
     Under her leadership she has made a number of significant advances in the transportation program, such as the implementation of directional dispatching, increasing staff development and recognition, improving fiscal management, and making improvements in the WYDOT reporting procedures. Barb is a great trainer and a strong advocate for drivers and the dispatcher who work for the organization.
     Barb’s most noteworthy accomplishment to date is her leadership and diligent oversight in the construction of the new 2,000-square-foot Sheridan Senior Center Transit Facility. When Barb was hired three years ago, she was told the construction of a new garage was in the works and this would be one of her major job responsibilities. She took this on without hesitation. Barb has done an outstanding job from securing the funding necessary to build the garage, to overseeing the finishing touches of construction. She took the lead in working with the architects, city officials, WYDOT Staff, construction workers, customers, and staff to successfully complete the project. Thank you Barb Daugherty for your exceptional service to the Sheridan Senior Center organization and to the people we serve!

     START takes pride in the following accomplishments this past year.

1. START purchased two new buses, making a total of eight new buses in the last 18 months. These buses are wrapped with beautiful scenes depicting the natural splendor and varied outdoor activities that make Jackson Hole unique. The infusion of these buses into the START fleet has dramatically improved START’s image in the community.
2. Commuter service from Lincoln County (Alpine), implemented in December 2003, was expanded in December of 2004 to include service from Etna. Ridership has grown from 772 in the first month to the current level of 1,400 per month.
3. START’s total ridership for the 12 months at the end of this winter season has reached a total of 488,000. This is 25 percent increase in ridership from one year ago and a 44 percent increase in ridership compared to two years ago.
4. START has strengthened and improved its relationships with local businesses. For the first time ever, the president of the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) spoke to START bus drivers during training about their important role as ambassadors to Jackson Hole.

     START also worked with JHMR and other local businesses on a promotion to kick off the winter season. During the first week of winter service, START offered free bus service to all riders. Bus riders entered a drawing for a JHMR season ski pass each time they rode the bus. START bus “ambassadors” rode random buses throughout the week handing out gifts that were all donated by the many local businesses that have become START’s partners. Strong relationships with START’s business partners have helped increase ridership through delivery of exceptional customer service.