San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) celebrated its 50th Anniversary in grand style with a free community event at Stockton’s Banner Island Ballpark on Saturday, June 6. RTD entertained roughly 1,500 guests with live music, a historical exhibit, family-friendly activities, and a fireworks show. Families enjoyed a children’s area with clowns, inflatables, carnival games, and face painting. Speakers at the event included Assemblymember Susan Talamantes Eggman, Gary Prost representing Congressman Jerry McNerney, and Stockton Mayor Anthony Silva.
“The importance of public transit in our lives is only going to grow,” said Assemblymember Susan Talamantes Eggman. “It is a key to reaching so many of our goals: mitigating climate change, reducing both emissions and dependence on fossil fuels, and building sustainable communities. It is the future, and San Joaquin RTD has done a great job providing for the needs of the here and now while leading the way forward.”
At the event, RTD premiered a fully-wrapped gold bus showcasing RTD’s history, innovations, and a special edition 50th Anniversary logo. RTD also displayed the various types of buses in its fleet, including a zero-emission electric bus, a fully-wrapped Veterans Bus, a BRT Metro Express Bus, its “Hopper” bus, and a 60-foot articulated bus. The event featured a historical photo exhibit with information about San Joaquin County’s first 50 years of public transportation through RTD. RTD also premiered its 50th Anniversary Photobook, which will be distributed to local agencies, elected officials, and libraries.
The four-hour event included performances by local bands including the Mike Torres Band, Snap Jackson and the Knock on Wood Players, the Souls of the Rising Sun, the Valley Community Orchestra, and the Stockton Singers. Singer/songwriter Peter Hackett and Lisa Gallego debuted RTD’s new theme song, “It’s Cool to Ride the Bus.” Following a performance by local Polynesian dancers and Tahitian fire dancer Richard Mendoza, the event concluded with a dazzling display of fireworks.
Through the generosity of its 26 event sponsors, RTD was able to offer this event free to the community. Instead of charging for admission, RTD encouraged event guests to bring school supply donations for the benefit of King Elementary School. RTD distributed these supplies at a special outreach event for two 4th grade classes on June 17.
“Fifty years in service is a momentous achievement for RTD,” said RTD General Manager/CEO Donna DeMartino. “We are constantly striving to innovate, to create, and to push public transportation forward. It is a large part of what makes RTD special. And what’s more special is that this is still only the beginning. We look forward with excitement to the future of RTD and public transit.”