[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 135 (Thursday, October 2, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1912]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF MONTEREY-SALINAS TRANSIT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 1, 1997

  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I have the distinct honor and 
privilege of representing California's 17th Congressional District and, 
on behalf of all the residents of the central coast, I would like to 
commend to my colleagues' attention the 25th anniversary of Monterey-
Salinas Transit.
  The Monterey Peninsula Public Transit System Joint Powers Agency was 
formed by the cities of Carmel, Del Rey Oaks, Monterey, Pacific Grove, 
Seaside, and the County of Monterey on October 1, 1997. As the 
predecessor of Monterey-Salinas Transit, it served the Monterey 
Peninsula area, later expanded to provide service to the cities of 
Marina, Salinas, and Watsonville, now serving all of Northern Monterey 
County.
  I am proud to claim that my district has been among the first in the 
country to promote community livability and sustainable development 
initiatives that enhance the quality of life for all its citizens. 
Monterey-Salinas Transit recognizes the benefit of sustainable 
development and the need to utilize clean technologies. One-quarter of 
the bus fleet is powered by clean natural gas [CNG] and future plans 
call for the total MST fleet and support vehicles to be fueled with 
CNG, a much more environmentally friendly source of fuel.
  It is the foresight of the MST member jurisdictions that has enabled 
the transit service to be on the cutting edge of technology and 
service, with ridership of some 4 million passengers each year, 
including a paratransit van service for disabled customers, and a 
waterfront area visitor express service for tourists. As we stand on 
the threshold of the 21st century, I am pleased to commend Monterey-
Salinas Transit for providing 25 years of exemplary public service to 
the central coast of California, and ask my colleagues in the U.S. 
House of Representatives to wish them well on the next 25 years.

                          ____________________