There’s a new manager in town for Santa Maria Area Transit (SMAT). RATP Dev USA, an international transportation systems company, will manage transportation services in Santa Maria beginning July 1.
Santa Maria officials announced they had awarded a contract to RATP Dev on June 7 and said the agreement would run for three years with seven additional one-year options to extend the contract.
“RATP Dev USA is excited to be part of Santa Maria Area Transit’s more than 40-year history of serving the city of Santa Maria, Orcutt, and other unincorporated valley communities,” Blaine Rigler, president of RATP Dev USA, said in a statement. “We’re excited for the opportunity to participate in Santa Maria’s growth and work alongside Santa Maria’s transit services manager to provide high quality services.”
Under the terms of the contract, RATP Dev will directly supervise SMAT’s daily operations for the “fixed route and paratransit operating services” in Santa Maria. The contract also includes a janitorial service. Presently, SMAT’s fleet consists of seven intercity buses, 10 demand response vehicles, and 20 fixed-route buses.
“We’re impressed with the caliber, experience, and resources of RATP Dev USA—from the local management team to the corporate staff,” Austin O’Dell, Santa Maria’s transit service manager, said in a statement. “Mr. Rigler, president of RATP Dev USA, personally introduced himself to SMAT drivers and affirmed his commitment to Santa Maria. I am confident that the city made the right choice. The city looks forward to a successful relationship with our new transit contractor and working with them to provide excellent public transit services to Santa Maria.”
Following the contract announcement, RATP Dev USA appointed Ken Smithson to serve as SMAT’s new general manager.
In May, RATP Dev acquired Roadrunner Management Services, a provider of transportation services in Southern and Central California markets. Company officials say the SMAT contract is another step in expanding its footprint in the California marketplace.
Highlights:
• Coast Electronics, a local electronic chain and RadioShack dealer, recently moved from its Buellton location to a new one in Paso Robles at 1171 Creston Road at Williams Plaza. The company now has three locations: the original in Morro Bay, its San Luis Obispo location off Madonna and Los Osos Valley roads, and the new brick-and-mortar in Paso.
• Dunkin’ Donuts celebrated its grand opening in Santa Maria on June 12. The store is located at 1486 S. Broadway. “We are super excited to be opening here in Santa Maria,” Santa Maria franchise owner Kirsten Tharp said in a press release. “It’s exciting to have the opportunity to employ people in the local community and also serve people in Santa Maria.”
• Donations are still needed to sponsor the community fireworks show on the Fourth of July, at the Edwards Community Center along Panther Drive. Tax-deductible contributions can be sent to the nonprofit People for Leisure and Youth (PLAY Inc.), Attn: Fireworks, 615 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria, CA 93454.
• On June 7, the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce named its newly elected board members. The new members are: Ron Cossa, a risk adviser and member (partner) with Tolman & Wiker Insurance Services; David LeRoy, the general manager at Toyota of Santa Maria; Laurie Tamura, president and principal planner at Urban Planning Concepts; and Tim Williams, founder and CEO of Digital West. The board members will serve for the duration of the 2018-19 fiscal year.
Staff Writer Spencer Cole wrote this week’s Biz Spotlight. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, mail, or email at spotlight@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jun 14-21, 2018.