Dispatcher of the Year continued . . .
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 few passengers when Kim goes on vacation, as these folks simply do not want to schedule with anyone else. Kim is excellent at delegating to her subordinates and keeps them smiling. At the same time she often gives our drivers the reality check they may need. She helps them stay focused on safe and reliable transportation for the members of our community and promotes their self-sufficiency." 
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| 2005 Driver of the Year-Carol Lynch
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Agency: WRTA-Wind River Transportation Authority
Nomination by Dan Seelye, Dispatcher
Carol Lynch has been a valued employee of Wind River Transportation Authority (WRTA) Bus Lines for six years. During the summer, she is busy with airport shuttles and provides outstanding, helpful, and courteous transport for our passengers.
During the school term, she transports 15-25 preschool children from their homes in the rural countryside to the Head Start Center and returns them home safely in the afternoon. She knows each child by name, and her cheerful smile and conscientious attention is an important part of each child's day.
Carol is a true professional. This is evident constantly and exemplified by a recent event. She was on her way to the Head Start Center and met an oncoming school bus on a rural highway. The bus had signaled a right turn and was pulling over to the shoulder to pick up students. A student began crossing the highway to board the bus not realizing the bus did not yet have its flashing lights on to stop traffic. Carol checked her rearview mirrors and saw a vehicle preparing to overtake and pass her, unaware of  the student crossing the road in front of her bus. She immediately turned on the emergency flashers and came to a stop. The vehicle pulled back in behind Carol and the student safely boarded the bus, oblivious to his near brush with disaster. Carol's powers of observation and keen driving skills undoubtedly saved the child's life. Carol is a great asset to WRTA Bus Lines and to our community.
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WRTA Driver Carol Lynch, right, accepts the 2005 Driver of the Year Award from WYTRANS President Sean Solan at the Awards Barbecue in Casper on June 25, 2005.
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| 2005 WYTRANS Agency of the Year
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START-Southern Teton Area Rapid Transit
Nomination by Michael Wackerly, Transit Administrator
START takes pride in the following accomplishments this past year.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
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