(WHITE TWP., November 25, 2008) – Warren County Transportation, the county’s public transit system, has received the Federal Transit Administration’s 2008 Administrator’s Award for Outstanding Rural Program.
           
Warren County Transportation Coordinator JanMarie McDyer received the award recently at the 18th Annual National Conference on Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation, held in Omaha, Nebraska, and presented it to the Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders at their November 25 meeting.

“It goes to show how committed we are in Warren County to providing transportation opportunities to our residents,” Freeholder Director John DiMaio said, adding, “It’s a great honor to be recognized by the FTA.”

Last year, Warren County Transportation provided more than 278,000 one-way trips and drove more than 963,000 miles in providing transportation to county residents. This year, the transportation program is on course to exceed more than a million miles, with 222,000 rides provided and 863,000 miles driven as of October 31.

“This award was presented to five counties throughout the nation, and this is the first time it was been awarded to Warren County,” McDyer told the freeholder board as she presented them with the heavy glass plaque commemorating the honor.

According to McDyer, NJ Transit nominated Warren County for its efforts in establishing partnerships with numerous community agencies including non-profit groups, governmental entities and the local transportation management association. “These efforts enhance the spirit of the United We Ride planning process, and serve as an example of a transportation system that has put the needs of its customers first,” McDyer said.

Freeholders Richard D. Gardner and Everett A. Chamberlain joined DiMaio in accepting the award and congratulating McDyer and the staff of Warren County Transportation.

Warren County Transportation Coordinator JanMarie McDyer presents Freeholder Richard D. Gardner, Freeholder Everett A. Chamberlain and Freeholder Director John DiMaio with an award from the Federal Transit Administration that honors the County for its outstanding rural transportation program. McDyer received the award at the 18th Annual National Conference on Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation, held recently in Omaha, NE.

First Transit Inc., a transportation company, is contracted to operate Warren County’s public transportation system, which includes a demand-response program and fixed bus routes, such as the Route 57 Shuttle system.