The Riverside Transit Agency’s Board of Directors has unanimously elected Banning City Councilman Art Welch to take leadership of the 22-member governing board.
As chair, Welch will be responsible for leading the RTA Board in setting policy, guiding Agency priorities, conducting the Agency’s monthly Board meetings and representing RTA during public events. He assumes the responsibilities held most recently by Hemet City Councilwoman and former Mayor Linda Krupa.
Welch has been a respected member of the Board for nearly fi ve years and served as fi rst vice chair in 2017.
“This is an especially exciting time for RTA,” Welch said, “and I look forward to working with the Board to build upon last year’s achievements and to develop new goals for this remarkable organization.”
Board members also voted Murrieta City Councilman Randon Lane as first vice chair and Perris City Councilmember Tonya Burke as second vice chair.
An RTA Board member since 2013, Welch has been active on the Administration and Operations Committee since his arrival. He is also a member of the San Gorgonio Pass Area Chapter of Transportation NOW, a grassroots group dedicated to promoting public transportation in the region.
Welch assumes leadership during a period of signi fi cant growth. Last year, the Agency completed an ambitious project that unveiled new bus shelters and enhanced bus service in downtown Riverside. RTA also launched RapidLink Gold Line express bus service between Corona and Riverside, introduced a new transit app, and installed free Wi-Fi on all buses. New efforts are underway to build mobility hubs at UC Riverside, Hemet and Temecula, and two new express routes will begin service next month.
“RTA has truly grown into a world-class transit provider and we have never been more driven to exceed our customers’ travel needs,” Welch said. “I am looking forward to seizing new opportunities and continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible in public transportation.”
