Patricia Zeiler's Passion for the Sun Trolley Earns Her an Award Nomination and Recognition from the U.S. Department of Transportation

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Feb. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- When commuters look at the Sun Trolley, they see safe, alternative transportation to single occupant vehicles. When Patricia Zeiler looks at it, she sees something that "makes a good city great."

"Transportation excites me because it brings people together from many, many different communities. They meet in transit. They exchange ideas. It's the happening place," said Zeiler, Executive Director of the Downtown Fort Lauderdale Transportation Management Association, the non-profit organization that manages the Sun Trolley.

Zeiler's passion for the Sun Trolley has made her as a finalist for Non-Profit Leader of the Year in 211 Broward's Annual Non-Profit Academy Awards.

"On our NW Community Link Route alone, we provide free transportation for approximately 10,000 people a month who need basic services. That's our mission – to provide accessible and reliable transportation to support the community," said Zeiler.

On Friday, February 28 at 11 a.m. the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood will host Zeiler and her fellow Academy Award nominees as they strut down the red carpet amid search lights and golden statuettes, before finding out who will take home the top honor.

Zeiler is also one of many women leaders in transportation being celebrated by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood in a new video series on the U.S. Department of Transportation's YouTube channel.

"By showcasing the exciting career opportunities available, and the tremendous possibilities for success, we hope more women and girls will consider choosing careers in transportation," wrote LaHood on his blog, Fast Lane. 

To learn more about the Department of Transportation's Women in Transportation Series, visit www.dot.gov/osdbu/women-and-girls. 

ABOUT TMA (Transportation Management Association)
Serving Fort Lauderdale's residents and visitors since 1993, the Downtown Fort Lauderdale Transportation Management Association (TMA) manages the Sun Trolley and administers the community bus service of the City of Fort Lauderdale. In addition to managing seven routes, TMA oversees a carpooling service with incentives for employees who elect to carpool, connects Fort Lauderdale neighborhoods to Broward County Transit and TriRail, and coordinates employee transit programs in local businesses. For more info visit www.suntrolley.com. 

CONTACT: 
Laurie Menekou, (954) 271-4666 ext 0 
[email protected]  

SOURCE Sun Trolley