The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has named Sharon Bulova, former chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and the longest-serving member of the VIrginia Railway Express (VRE) Operations Board, as the recipient of its prestigious 2020 Distinguished Service Award, noting her work in founding the VRE, championing Metrorail’s Silver Line expansion and securing dedicated funding.
“Having spent more than three decades not just advocating for public transportation but literally rolling up her sleeves to stand up a variety of transportation modes throughout the region, Sharon Bulova has demonstrated the highest level of commitment to the industry,” said VRE Acting CEO Rich Dalton, who nominated her for the award. “Her dedication and determination have resulted in a myriad of mobility options that are used by tens of thousands every day.”
The nomination details Bulova’s work in support of public transportation over 35 years, beginning in 1984 and ending with her retirement in 2019. It also describes her embrace of APTA’s core values, including leadership, integrity, excellence, diversity, inclusiveness, fairness and equity, teamwork and professionalism.
Bulova’s nomination was endorsed by four members of Northern Virginia’s congressional delegation, Virginia’s governor and the chairman of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Board of Directors. Calling her a “transit visionary,” U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) noted that Bulova “foresaw that transit-oriented development could absorb traffic congestion, spur economic development and make for vibrant, pedestrian-friendly communities. … I witnessed Sharon’s hallmark savvy and willingness to make hard choices to get big things done. In a matter of months, the Silver Line will be transporting its first riders to Dulles International Airport; without Sharon’s leadership, this would still be a model on a conference room table.”
“There is no denying Sharon Bulova’s passion for, understanding of and commitment to public transportation,” wrote Paul Smedberg, chair of the WMATA Board of Directors. “Often referred to as the ‘mother’ of VRE, Sharon stood up a fledgling commuter rail service that is now a vital cog in the region’s transportation network. … Her willingness to consider both sides of an issue and ability to identify common ground allowed the region to coalesce in its support of dedicated funding for WMATA.”
Bulova will be recognized at APTA’s TRANScend virtual meeting and formally honored at a ceremony during APTA’s 2021 TRANSform Conference & EXPO.
