- One word to describe yourself: Modestly-Intrepid
- Alma Mater: As far as education in transit; before anything else, his former boss Monty Cox (Visalia) and his industry colleagues, but otherwise Ashford University.
- Favorite book: "The Bible" and "The Prince" by Machiavelli
- Favorite TV show: He doesn't watch a whole lot of TV, but when he does; some kind of documentary on PBS, History, Science or another channel
- Favorite movie: "Speed"
- Favorite hobby(ies): Travel
- What is your favorite transit system (outside of the one you work for or have worked for!) and why?: Sequoia Shuttle (Visalia to Sequoia Nat’l Park). This is not only where he got his first taste for public transit, but how many other places can you point to where the public transit system is generating tourism.
Transit Manager for the city of San Luis Obispo, California, Gamaliel Anguiano's achievements, contributions, and innovations in the public transportation field. His experience in the industry begins in 2007 with the commencement of the city of Visalia’s highly successful Sequoia Shuttle program. This innovative transportation service, operating in one of the Nation’s oldest and most cherished (Sequoia) Nat’l Parks, quickly became more than just an environmental and congestion mitigation tool, but rather; a tourism and economic generator for the city. From there, Gamaliel was entrusted to continue his private sector innovative approaches, coupled with Government pragmatism, with the city’s local public transportation service (then VCC) to create a “fully re-imagined” and fully modernized Visalia Transit system complete with rebranding, comprehensive routes, schedules and modernized public amenities.
Anguiano furthers his progressive transit outlook and approach as Transit Manager for the city of San Luis Obispo. As of recent, and under Anguiano's hospices, the local transit system has also undergone a rebranding and re-imagining as to further appeal to the sensibilities and expectations of the 1.2 Million local riders. Anguiano has transformed transit vehicles from being just a form of transportation to become an experience by pairing amenities such as; a new progressive branding scheme, “BRT” aerodynamic vehicle styling, onboard video infotainment system, multiple sun-roof like escape hatches for more natural light, fiber optic back lighting, digital dashboard display, two-tone flooring with a modern “light, bright and airy” interior design, free public wi-fi, hand sanitizers and other fleet upgrades.
As a result, Anguiano has challenged bus manufacturers and colleagues to push beyond utilitarian transit design to become the service that appeals to millennial sensibilities and competes with automakers as the desired form of transportation. The results have culminated in record setting ridership increases in system after system that Anguiano has been able to influence for the benefit of the community he serves.
"Starting a professional career in public transit was totally by accident, but when I think about it; my travels through Europe and Latin America, and the use of public transportation in those countries, definitely opened my eyes to the importance and possibilities of what public transit could be and meant for my city here at home."
"I read/heard somewhere that no one is in public transit unless they have a big heart. My industry colleagues have proven that time and time again."
"To be honest, the most challenging part is not being able to innovate fast enough. I reassure the non-transit initiated that the processes that transit undertakes and follows when carrying out system changes or procurements are absolutely necessary and important to follow in order to ensure due diligence and to ensure trust in the use of public funds. However, because there is so much good that can be created by public transit, it can be challenging to be patient before delivering on an improvement to our communities."
