
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, November 22, 1994                   TAG: 9411220092
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                 LENGTH: Short

BUS SYSTEM HONORED

Blacksburg Transit has been recognized by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation with one of two Outstanding Public Achievement Awards. The other award went to Alexandria Transit Co.

The awards were given last week by state Secretary of Transportation Robert E. Martinez at Commonwealth Transportation Board meeting.

The award for small urban or rural systems went to Michael Connelly, Blacksburg Transit general manager,whose system has 26 buses on fixed routes. It serves Virginia Tech students and operates a route between Blacksburg and Christiansburg. It also has three special vehicles to transport the disabled.

In the past year, the number of riders has increased by 7 percent and the system has provided 1.64 million passenger trips. The system also increased its efficiency, realizing a $60,000 reduction in operating costs, and started a safety program for achieve a record of only 1.3 accidents per 100,000 vehicle miles.

by CNB