TRANSACTIONS NEWSLETTER ONLINENovember 2002Greta Ericson Distinguished Service Award: Norman Townsend Arthur L. Lloyd John Ficarra Named after the MTC commissioner who launched the Transportation Awards Program in 1977, the Greta Ericson Distinguished Service Award recognizes long-term, steadfast, quality leadership in the transportation profession. The jury selected three individuals to share the award this year.
For more than two decades, Norman Townsend provided information and assistance to transit riders and helped with public information programs as an information service representative (ISR) at the Santa Clara Valley Transpor-tation Authority (VTA) — despite being visually impaired since the age of seven. Townsend, who recently retired, has a “vast knowledge of VTA’s services that gave him the ability to help callers with special needs in a way that a sighted ISR could not,” said David Terrazas, customer service manager at VTA. “He was able to give detailed information regarding the use of VTA’s bus, light-rail and paratransit services with an understanding of what other visually impaired users of the system may experience.” Townsend also was involved with VTA’s Youth Outreach Program, educating elementary and middle school children on how to travel safely on the bus and light-rail systems. “Norm was determined to make a difference. We at VTA feel he has accomplished this and much more,” said Terrazas.
“I still feel strongly that passenger rail service has a place in the nation’s transportation picture,” said Arthur L. Lloyd, a dedicated advocate for Amtrak and passenger rail in the country. Lloyd retired from his position as director of public affairs for Amtrak’s western operations in 1991, but you’d never know it. He still volunteers full time and is well known as a respect-ed, knowledgeable and effective leader driving transportation policy in support of train service. “It seems that his purpose in life is service and his purpose has followed his passion for trains,” said Sue Martin, a former Amtrak supervisor. Lloyd is a past director and founder of the National Association of Railroad Passengers, a member of the board of directors of Caltrain and SamTrans, and is board chairman of California Operation Lifesaver (a rail safety organization), also serving on the Coast Rail Coordinating Council that is working to initiate new service from Los Angeles to San Francisco. The rail buff also played a key role in assembling the outstanding collection of railroad locomotives, rail cars and artifacts that became the foundation for the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, and is a board member of the California State Railroad Museum Foundation.
After 40 years in the transportation industry, John Ficarra retired in 2002 as the chief operating officer at SamTrans. Ficarra came to the transit system in January 1983 after 21 years with East Coast transportation organizations, including the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, the city of Philadelphia and New York City’s transit authority. At SamTrans, Ficarra was responsible for overseeing a complex network of buses and shuttles operating within San Mateo County, and the operation of Caltrain between San Francisco and San Jose/Gilroy. His guidance was key in developing Caltrain into a true passenger rail service with half-hour midday frequencies, 80 trains daily and service to Gilroy during commute hours. “John Ficarra played key roles in developing Caltrain service on the Peninsula,” said Jayme Maltbie, public information officer for SamTrans. “John also cemented SamTrans’ reputation as a highly respected bus system moving more than 60,000 passengers per day and achieving high marks for passenger and vehicle safety.” Contents
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