“The American Public Transportation Association, the transit industrys principal trade group, recognized IT as the nations best midsized transit agency during an event Tuesday [August 4].

The recognition comes as IT is experiencing record ridership and is a culmination for the transit agencys rebuilding effort almost a decade after the passage of Initiative 695, which replaced the motor excise tax with a license tab fee. IT lost significant revenue as a result and cut 40 percent of its service.

We hope its a continuation,General Manager Mike Harbour said of the recognition. Theres more to do.

Potential roadblocks lie ahead as transit agency officials look to boost ridership and services even more.

Agency officials likely will ask voters next year to increase ITs operating revenue to maintain and add routes or increase the frequency of existing ones. If no new revenue is found, the agency might cut back again,” quoting The Olympian.

This is a thoughtful Op-Ed in The Olympian about IT.