Citing her years of commitment to regional transit leadership, Valley Metro names an annual transit internship program in honor of its longest-serving board member, Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs. Serving as a board member for 19 years, as well as chair in 2008, Scruggs accepted the honor during her final Valley Metro board meeting on December 13, 2012.
The Valley Metro Mayor Elaine Scruggs internship will be utilized by a college student pursuing a degree in Planning, Engineering or a related field with a commitment to serving in the public transportation industry.
“Public transit is vital to continued economic growth and improved quality of life in our region. Valley Metro’s expanded leadership role will significantly benefit efforts to create effective planning and implementation of these greatly needed transportation modes,” said Scruggs. “We need to prepare the next generation of public policy leaders to understand the benefits of public transit and the tremendous complexity involved with planning coordinated transit service for an entire metropolitan region. The creation of an internship program in my name is an honor I could never have expected and is more meaningful to me than words of thanks can express.”
Mayor Scruggs led the way in supporting dedicated funding sources to help ensure the expansion of transit in Maricopa County. In 2001, Glendale voters approved the passage of a local sales tax to help provide travel options within the city and connect residents to the regional network. She also was instrumental in crafting the Regional Transportation Plan, which was approved by voters in 2004 in support of a providing a regional funding source to enhance Valley-wide transit services. Since its passage, public funds have contributed to the development of a 20-mile of light rail system, two new LINK bus routes, 12 new Express routes, two new operations facilities, five new regional park-and-rides and two new regional transit centers.
“Mayor Scruggs has been a leader in this region pressing for greater transportation choices in Glendale and beyond,” said Valley Metro CEO Steve Banta. “We appreciate her service on the board and her transit legacy will continue as the interns go through the program.”
