SCTA’s Director of Shared Ride Services Will Retire After 44 Years

From South Central Transit Authority

READING, PA – After 44 years of service to the Berks County community, Vicki Weidner, South Central Transit Authority’s (SCTA) Director of Shared
Ride Services, has announced her retirement effective January 2, 2025.

Weidner began her career at Berks Area Regional Transportation Authority (BARTA) as a shared ride office clerk after graduating high school in 1980. Weidner then served as evening dispatcher, executive secretary, and manager of shared ride services before becoming the director in 1996. In 2015, when SCTA was formed to oversee both BARTA in Berks and Red Rose Transit Authority (RRTA) in Lancaster County, Weidner was named Director of Shared Ride Services for SCTA.

“Vicki Weidner is part of the heart and soul of our transit agency,” said Greg Downing, SCTA’s Executive Director. “Starting her journey with us at just 18 years old, she has dedicated nearly half a century to serving our community’s most vulnerable residents. Her dedication to seniors and individuals with disabilities has been nothing short of exceptional. She’s been a compassionate advocate, ensuring that the transportation we provide is more than just a service, but a lifeline for those who depend on us most. Her integrity, care, and unwavering dedication will be deeply missed, but her legacy will continue to inspire our team for years to come.”

Weidner’s dedicated service is recognized by community organizations like Berks Encore, a resource and community center for senior citizens in Berks County, which supports many seniors who rely on BARTA’s shared ride services for transportation. “[Weidner’s] unwavering commitment, expertise, and compassion have been instrumental in ensuring that countless individuals in our community received reliable, accessible transportation,” said LuAnn Oatman, President and CEO of Berks Encore. “Her leadership has not only enhanced the quality of services but also positively impacted the lives of those who [rely] on BARTA for independence and mobility.”

Stemming from her passion for customer service, Weidner has demonstrated a commitment to supporting the communities who rely on BARTA and RRTA’s shared ride services over the span of her 44 year-long career at SCTA. “The most rewarding part [of my career] has been the ability to assist the residents and agencies in Berks and Lancaster [counties],” Weidner stated when asked about her career.

Weidner will be recognized for her years of service to the community at SCTA’s next Board Meeting to be held December 18, 2024 at 6 p.m. at the Berks Area Regional Transportation Authority (BARTA) office located at 1700 N. 11th Street, Reading, PA 19604. This meeting is open to the public and press and media are invited to attend

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Source: bctv