2010 certainly was not lacking in challenges for us but I am very pleased that we finished the year much better than anticipated when we were planning a year ago. This was due in large part to better than expected revenues in sales tax and state funding as well as continued diligence at the department level to keep costs down. The results give me confidence that we are beginning to see a turnaround in the economy and a more positive future. This also has translated into a projection that there is no need for a service reduction or fare increase in 2011 as indicated in RTA’s recently adopted budget.  A partial list of the reasons for our positive outlook is:

• The addition of Greyhound has been profitable as anticipated thanks to the good work of our team in Safety & Security.

• Advertising revenues are finally moving toward budgeted levels.

• New labor agreements with ATU and AFSCME will assist in cost containment, especially in the area of health insurance, which is by far the largest single expense we have outside of labor itself.

• Townview/Westwood service implementation – savings of significant operating hours and related costs

• Cost control measures internally developed such as overtime reductions and bringing snow removal work in-house.

The year ending has seen some great changes, additions and improvements to what we do as well including:

• The TOP Operator program and associated overhaul of our new employee training

• Smith System safe driving reinforcement which is helping us reduce costs related to accidents

• Our Five-Star Green Fleet rating from Clean Fuels Ohio, the only transit system to achieve more the Three Star level.

• Certification by the FTA of a very rare perfect Triennial Review requiring no follow-up actions for regulatory compliance

• Lots of new buses

• The start of our Longworth "facelift" program to provide a more warm and welcome work environment in the aging facility

• The opening of RTA’s Longworth Wellness Center

• Start of the renovation of the NW Transit Center

• Restructuring of our Maintenance Department

• Our MRMS system is now online which will assist us in better delivery of services to employees and eventually automate more of our HR functions

• Significant reductions in employee injury rates

• Transit Ambassadors’ first annual Safety Day!

• Most recently the interdepartmental leadership team, which developed the concept of the employee safety survey and ultimately a new approach to safety.

• RTA wins OPTAmist "Best Marketing On a Shoestring" award

• Family Pass implementation

• Effort to reestablish better service at Dayton Mall and in Beavercreek