Town of Banff

Mayor John Stutz Receives Transit Award

Mayor John Stutz received CUTA's 2007 Outstanding Achievement Award for his progressive work transforming Banff's bus system

Outstanding Achievement Award for Public Transit

On Wednesday, November 14, 2007, Town of Banff Mayor John Stutz attended the Employee Recognition Awards ceremonies of the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) in Quebec City, where he received the Outstanding Achievement or Support for Public Transit Award for 2007.

CUTA gave the award in recognition of the Mayor's achievements in improving the efficiency and/or effectiveness of public transit in Canada.

In the spring of 2008, the Town of Banff will switch to a transit fleet entirely made up of hybrid buses. Banff's transit fleet will be composed of 100% diesel electric buses. The buses will also be running on biodiesel fuel.

This outstanding achievement could not have happened without the dedication and commitment of Mayor John Stutz. Aligning Banff's transit system to complement the Town’s special place within Canada’s first National Park, and embracing those park values, was of utmost importance to Mayor Stutz.

Championing the change of transit from a "service" to an "experience" was not an easy task; it presented huge budget implications for Banff, a small town of 8,721 residents (an additional $4,035,000 in costs). Mayor Stutz educated councillors and residents on the importance of improving all facets of transit, from leading-edge environmentally-friendly buses, to upgrading service, to enhancing the buses to become National Park interpretive initiatives, including special interpretive training for Banff's transit operators.

The Town of Banff hosts millions of visitors each year. Mayor Stutz had the vision and the dedication to turn the Town's public transit system into a world-class experience that may become the envy of all other communities.

• 2007 CUTA Excellence Awards