FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2006

Contacts:
John Anderson
AzTA Executive Director
(480) 361-5101

Steve Farley wins Arizona Transit Association “Friend of Transit” award

TEMPE, Ariz.- At its annual conference, the Arizona Transit Association (AzTA) recognized Steve Farley, a graphic artist, as the Outstanding Friend of Transit.

Steve Farley has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of public transit in the Tucson region. In 2003, he established a 1,500-member group of transit supporters known as Tucsonans for Sensible Transportation (TST) to develop their own city-wide transportation plan. Although the plan did not pass, the group brought the issues of transit and livable communities to the forefront of public discussions with local government officials, political leaders and the community.

Mr. Farley was selected to do the artwork for numerous transportation corridors and light rail stations around the United States, including the Broadway Underpass in downtown Tucson and the Valley Metro Rail corridor in central Phoenix. He is rapidly developing a reputation for capturing the history and culture of local communities through modified historic photos and displaying them in public places for all to see and remember. In early 2005, Steve was selected to serve on the Regional Transportation Authority’s (RTA) Citizens Advisory Committee, where he worked vigorously with others to help develop Tucson’s next 20-year multi-modal transportation plan. The RTA plan will go before voters on May 16, 2006.

Individuals and organizations who contribute to the success of transportation in Arizona were nominated in six categories including, outstanding transit individual, innovator, provider, vendor, organization and friend of transit. AzTA’s mission is to support, educate, and strengthen transportation systems within the state of Arizona. Other award winners included:

· Outstanding Transit Individual – George Caria, Transit Administrator, City of Tucson

· Outstanding Transit Innovation – City of Tempe Unlimited Access Bus Pass and Youth Free Bus Pass programs

· Outstanding Provider – Pinal Gila Council for Senior Citizens

· Outstanding Provider – Bullhead Area Transit System (BATS)

· Outstanding Transit Organization – Vista Transit System

· Outstanding Vendor – HDR/S.R. Beard

For more information about AzTA, call (480) 361-5101 or visit www.azta.org.