[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 27072]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  IN HONOR OF MONTEREY-SALINAS TRANSIT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 12, 2007

  Mr. FARR. Madam 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 35th 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, 1972. As the 
predecessor of Monterey-Salinas Transit, it served the Monterey 
Peninsula area, and later expanded to provide service to the cities of 
Marina, Salinas, and Watsonville, now serving all of northern Monterey 
County with new connections into Santa Clara County, including downtown 
San Jose. 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 nearly 5 million passengers each year, 
including a paratransit van service for disabled customers, a 
Waterfront Area Visitor Express service for tourists, and the 
innovative Carmel Valley Grapevine Express.
  Not only does MST play a significant role in the transportation 
system of the Monterey Bay region, but it helps meet the basic 
transportation needs of thousands of constituents. A majority of MST 
passengers are either elderly or low-income. More than 2 out of every 5 
MST passengers live in a household without an automobile. For the more 
than 4 thousand riders who depend on public transportation every day to 
get to work, the safe and reliable bus system that MST operates is a 
necessity for their economic independence.
  In addition, MST is at the forefront of mixed-use TOD--transit 
oriented development--promoting community livability and sustainable 
development along bus routes. Connecting housing and transportation 
will be the key to retaining the unique quality of life for residents 
and visitors to the beautiful Monterey Peninsula. It was my privilege 
earlier this month to help MST mark a milestone in its history and 
operations with the opening of the new Marina Transit Exchange. The 
first phase offers customers and staff expanded amenities, electronic 
signage, and other customer information services and the second phase 
will provide MST developed housing.
  Madam Speaker, I am pleased to commend Monterey-Salinas Transit for 
providing 35 years of exemplary public service to the central coast of 
California, and ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
wish them well on the next 35 years.

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