WHEREAS, Intercity Transit which serves Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Yelm, and Thurston County, received the American Public Transportation Association's highest honor in 2009, being honored as the best transportation system in the nation for its size community; and
     WHEREAS, Intercity Transit was also honored by The Federal Transit Administration in 2009 with its "Success in Enhancing Transit Ridership Award"; and
     WHEREAS, Intercity Transit's employee training has won national recognition and has resulted in a well-trained, customer service-oriented workforce; and
     WHEREAS, Intercity Transit provides high quality Dial-A-Lift service for persons with disabilities that exceeds the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, providing over 150,000 trips per year; and
     WHEREAS, Intercity Transit operates over 185 vanpools which take over 1,000 vehicles per day off the state's busiest highways; and
     WHEREAS, Intercity Transit coordinates services with Pierce Transit, Mason County Transit, Grays Harbor Transit, Sound Transit, and Amtrak to provide regional access to its citizens; and
     WHEREAS, 80 percent of all Intercity Transit riders use transit to get to work, school, shopping, or personal business - directly supporting the economy; and
     WHEREAS, 5 million trips were taken on Intercity Transit services in 2009; and
     WHEREAS, Intercity Transit's 30 million dollar operating budget contributes to the economy by providing 288 jobs, with a multiplier effect of 1,230 additional jobs, and its 12 million dollar capital investment work creates an additional 492 jobs; and
     WHEREAS, Intercity Transit's creativity is shown in many ways, including bicycle commuter contests, travel training, youth programs, and Village Vans bus driver employment training and programs; and
     WHEREAS, Intercity Transit showed great leadership and environmental stewardship in being one of the first transit systems in the United States to use biodiesel to fuel its entire transit fleet, reducing air pollution, gas consumption, and harmful emissions;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate honor Intercity Transit's national recognitions and celebrate its continued service to the people of the State of Washington and its dedication to the protection of our environment, and its well-trained, highly motivated, customer-focused, community-minded employees committed to the quality of life of Washingtonians.