Transit oriented
Santa Clara County Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga has been elected to the American Public Transportation Association’s board of directors, a nonprofit international association of more than 1,700 public and private sector member organizations.
The association includes all modes of public transportation, including bus, paratransit, light rail, commuter rail, subways, waterborne services, and intercity and high-speed passenger rail. According to the nonprofit, more than 90 percent of the people using public transportation in the United States and Canada ride a member system.
Abe-Koga wears three hats in transit, serving on the boards of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) and Caltrain and as a commissioner on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. She was elected to a three-year term on the association’s board at a conference earlier this month.
Abe-Koga cites Santa Clara County transit pioneer Rod Diridon Sr., who also served on the association’s board, as one of her inspirations.
“Mr. Diridon often said that transportation is how people get to work, to school, to family and friends … and to opportunity,” said Abe-Koga in a release. “I agree, and I look forward to getting people to opportunity most of all.”
Abe-Koga credits study trips to Singapore, Korea and Japan with widening her scope and giving her insights for improvements to make at home. Her role on the transportation board is expected to give VTA higher visibility on the national level and increased awareness of resources to bring home.
Carolyn Gonot, general manager and CEO of VTA, said Abe-Koga’s experience and leadership will bring valuable perspective to the national organization while “sharing the innovation and expertise that make VTA a leader in the transit industry.”