Omnitrans Board Elects New Officers

At its June meeting, the Omnitrans Board of Directors elected current Vice Chair John B. Roberts, Jr. to the Chair position, and current Board Member Penny Lilburn to the position of Vice Chair. The offices will take effect July 1; Board officers hold their positions for a period of two years.

“We’re fortunate to have two professionals so dedicated to public service leading our agency as we work to provide efficient, economical service to our communities,” said CEO/General Manager Durand Rall after the meeting.

Indeed, 15-year Fontana Councilmember Roberts has a long history of committed public service; he has been an Omnitrans Board alternate since 1994, and joined the Board as a full member in 2003. Roberts also currently is Chair of the Fontana Redevelopment Agency, and spent 32 years as a member of the San Bernardino County Fire Department.

“It is an honor to be Chair of the Omnitrans Board,” he said. “My highest priorities will be to ensure the agency is on a path to improved ridership and improved relations with the labor unions.”

Similarly, Lilburn joined the Omnitrans Board in 2004, and subsequently became Planning and Productivity Committee Chair, as part of a career-long affinity for civic service. In addition to serving as Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Highland, she is the Executive Director of the Highland Senior Center. Lilburn also actively participates in a number of other boards, including the Southern California Associated Governments regional subcommittee and the San Bernardino International Airport Authority.

Said Lilburn of her election, “I am excited to be in a position to work closely with the Board and Omnitrans staff.”

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Founded in 1976, Omnitrans is the public transit agency serving fifteen cities and the unincorporated areas of the Inland Valley of San Bernardino County in Southern California. Omnitrans currently operates 32 fixed bus routes in a
480-square-mile area. Omnitrans also provides OmniLink and Access
demand-response service, and is a partner in the Inland Empire Connection express bus service. The American Public Transportation Association has named Omnitrans the Outstanding Transit System of its size in both 1995
and 1999. Omnitrans also has received twelve safety awards from the
National Safety Council.