The Riverside Transit Agency’s (RTA) Board of Directors has unanimously elected Hemet Mayor Linda Krupa to take leadership of the 22-member governing board.
As chair, Krupa 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. She assumes the responsibilities held most recently by Jurupa Valley City Councilman Frank Johnston.
Krupa has been a driving force on the Board for five years and served as first vice chair in 2016.
“I am honored to be selected by my fellow Board members for this important position,” Krupa said. “This is a significant time for the Riverside Transit Agency as it embarks on new efforts to remain a vital part of our communities and evolve in positive ways to meet the changing needs of our valued customers.”
Board members also voted Banning City Councilman Art Welch as first vice chair and Murrieta city councilman Randon Lane as second vice chair.
An RTA Board member since 2011, Krupa has been active on various board committees, including the executive committee and the budget and finance committee, which has provided crucial financial oversight and ensured positive audit results year after year. She is also a member of the Hemet-San Jacinto Chapter of Transportation NOW, a grassroots group dedicated to promoting public transportation in the region.
Krupa assumes leadership during a period of significant growth for the Agency, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Last month, RTA completed an ambitious project that unveiled new bus shelters and enhanced bus service in downtown Riverside. Plans are now underway for the launch of RapidLink express bus service between Corona and Riverside, as well as the construction of a transit hub at UC Riverside. Thanks to RTA’s push for new technology, RTA recently finished installing free Wi-Fi on all buses, and efforts are underway to install more digital kiosks as well as a transit app for mobile devices that displays real-time bus arrival information.
Later this year, RTA will proudly host the California Transit Association’s 52nd annual fall conference and expo, a three-day signature event in Riverside featuring dynamic presentations from industry experts on today’s pressing transit challenges and the novel solutions being implemented by innovative transit leaders.
“A lot of exciting things are happening at RTA and I’m thrilled to be part of the experience,” Krupa said. “With growing excitement, I look forward to building on our success and working hard to provide unparalleled customer service to every passenger, on every trip.”
