July/August 2023 - 24

Elyce Embery joined Lane Transit District (LTD)
in 2017 as a customer service representative and
has ascended to a leadership role within the organization's
RideSource services, an initiative that
addresses vital transportation needs for older adults
and individuals with disabilities.
Central to Embery's responsibilities has been
Elyce Embery
Specialized
and Accessible
Program
Specialist
Lane Transit
District
cultivating and nurturing the partnerships required
to support RideSource and allowing for
a synergistic pooling of resources that greatly
benefits the community. Noteworthy endeavors
stemming from this cooperation include services
catering to veterans' transportation, a convenient
shopper shuttle, in-home eligibility assessments
and a volunteer transportation program in underserved
rural areas.
Embery's leadership stood out during pivotal
moments, including navigating the complexities of
evolving Medicaid regulations and addressing the
unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19
pandemic. She championed innovative solutions
that ensured individuals in need remained adequately
supported. Her guidance illuminated the
path toward strategic resource alignment and
enhanced preparedness for unforeseen contingencies.
Collaborating closely with Coordinated
Care Organizations, taxi services, medical transportation
companies and regulatory bodies, Embery
orchestrated network adequacy during a critical
period of driver shortages, preserving the high
standard of service expected by the community.
Despite the significant volume of trips, the number
I've been fortunate in my life
to have many great mentors
and leaders who have pushed
me out of my comfort zone
to seek new challenges. "
of complaints remained minimal and customer
satisfaction remained high.
Beyond LTD's immediate operations, Embery's
work focuses on assisting vulnerable segments of the
population who rely on accessible transportation for
essential activities such as attending school, going to
work, attending medical appointments and securing
groceries. Embery finds personal fulfillment in
enabling these essential trips and her dedication has
permeated the entire organization. Her initiatives
have not only improved service quality, but have
also resulted in cost savings for LTD, permitting
further service expansion.
Embery regularly engages with the community
through educational presentations at schools and
community groups and offers training to colleagues.
Embery's leadership style is characterized by inclusivity,
fostering an environment that values
accessibility and belonging.
Fast Fact: LTD's RidSource service, which
Embery manages, was able to operate more
than 250,000 trips in 2022.
MassTransitmag.com/53068470
AJ Farris, MUP
Planning and
Scheduling
Manager
Kansas City Area
Transportation
Authority
AJ Farris, MUP, began his career as a multi-modal
planner with Olsson, where he worked to advance
mobility solutions for cities throughout
the Midwest. His design work and facilitation
of public meetings led to the first multi-modal
corridor in Kansas City, Mo., that connects historic
neighborhoods, multi-family housing and
medical campus with the urban core of Kansas
City through safe active transportation.
After three years at Olsson, Farris was recruited
to join the planning team at Kansas City Area
Transportation Authority (KCATA), where he
now is the planning and scheduling manager
after serving in the interim role for six months.
Farris assisted and managed the implementation
of KCATA's Zero Fare System, Fixed Route
Service Restorations, Public Engagement focused
on ridership growth and route re-designs to bring
service to underserved communities. His work
contributed significantly to the KCATA winning
the APTA " Outstanding Public Transportation
System " Award in 2022.
In the five years Farris has been at the KCATA,
he has made it his mission to ensure quality ser24
Mass Transit | JULY/AUGUST 2023
Always put yourself in a place
to talk to others and learn. "
vice to all riders within the region. He has worked
with elected officials and staff, in both Kansas
and Missouri, to ensure access to healthcare,
education, jobs and housing. He has overseen
the recovery of a service that was devastated
by the pandemic, and Farris has assisted with
implementing alternative transit solutions that
integrate with the fixed-route system to better
connect communities.
Farris' work with transportation extends beyond
KCATA to improve the community through
focused efforts. He has been a featured presenter
at APTA and American Planning Association
conferences.
Fast Fact: Farris tries to read at least 20 books
per year. His favorite genres are fantasy and
science fiction.
MassTransitmag.com/53067919
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July/August 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of July/August 2023
