The Valley Chronicle - Hemet Mayor Linda Krupa to lead RTA Board of D

[caption id="attachment_1544" align="alignright" width="461"] Photo source: City of Hemet official website
Hemet Mayor Linda Krupa was unanimously selected to chair the Riverside Transit Agency for 2017.[/caption] ■ Mary Ann Morris / Editor Hemet Mayor Linda Krupa was unanimously selected to lead the Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) Board of Directors for 2017, according to an RTA news release. As chair, Krupa will be responsible for leading the RTA Board in setting policy, guiding agency priorities, conducting the agency’s monthly board meetings and being an RTA representative during public events. Jurupa Valley City Councilman Frank Johnston is the outgoing chair. “I am honored to be selected by my fellow board members for this important position,” Krupa said. “This is a significant time for the Riverside Transit Agency as it embarks on new efforts to remain a vital part of our communities and evolve in positive ways to meet the changing needs of our valued customers.” Krupa served as first vice chair in 2016 and has served on the board since 2011. Board members also voted Banning City Councilman Art Welch as first vice chair and Murrieta City Councilman Randon Lane as second vice chair. Krupa has been active on various board committees, including the executive committee and the budget and finance committee, which provides financial oversight and ensured positive audit results year after year, according to the release. She is also a member of the Hemet-San Jacinto Chapter of Transportation NOW, a grassroots group dedicated to promoting public transportation in the region. “A lot of exciting things are happening at RTA and I’m thrilled to be part of the experience,” said Krupa. “With growing excitement, I look forward to building on our success and working hard to provide unparalleled customer service to every passenger, on every trip.” Krupa assumes leadership during a period of significant growth for RTA, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Last month, RTA unveiled new bus shelters and enhanced bus service in downtown Riverside. Plans are now underway for the launch of RapidLink express bus service between Corona and Riverside, as well as the construction of a transit hub at UC Riverside. RTA recently finished installing free Wi-Fi on all buses, and efforts are underway to install more digital kiosks as well as a transit app for mobile devices that displays real-time bus arrival information. Later this year, RTA will host the California Transit Association’s 52nd annual fall conference and expo, a three-day event in Riverside featuring presentations from industry experts on today’s transit challenges and the solutions being implemented by transit leaders.