(L-R): Dial-A-Ride Supervisor Rod Merillat, Director of Public Services Karen Murphy, Dial-A-Ride Manager Amy Bidwell, and City Manager Brad Kaye
September 1, 2023 – The City of Midland is excited to announce that it has recognized Dial-A-Ride Manager Amy Bidwell as its latest recipient of a City Strive Award. The award was presented during a department meeting earlier this month.
Bidwell received the Innovation Award, which recognizes an individual for innovative and creative problem solving in response to unanticipated situations that result in improved customer service, efficiency in operations, or reduced expenditures.
She was nominated by Dial-A-Ride Dispatch Supervisor Rod Merillat for her dedicated work to apply for -- and ultimately secure -- a grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA)’s Section 5339c Low or No Emission Project for the purchase of two electric transit vans that will replace aged-out gas-powered buses in the Dial-A-Ride fleet.
“Amy deserves a City Strive Award for her outstanding dedication and relentless pursuit of securing the competitive grant to obtain electric buses. Only four state grants were awarded: Flint, Detroit, [Michigan Department of Transportation], and Midland. The buses will be the City of Midlands first electric vehicles. The infrastructure that will be put in place with these buses and charging stations is opening the doors for other departments to operate electric vehicles.
Amy did a great deal of research on this project. The results from her efforts are propelling our transportation service and experience forward in a positive direction. These changes will also provide for cleaner transportation options. This is why we are The City of Modern Explorers.”
Amy Bidwell has worked for the City since 2013.
“It is our goal to provide safe, high-quality services that not only meet our residents’ needs, but also have a positive impact on our community and the world around us,” said City Manager Brad Kaye. “The addition of electric vehicles and their related infrastructure needs will have significant, game-changing impacts on the future of our organization’s operations and we are grateful to Amy for her work to make it happen. Her passion for providing outstanding public transit opportunities for all Midlanders is critical to Dial-A-Ride’s success.””
For more information on the City Strive Award program or to submit a nomination for a deserving City employee, please visit www.cityofmidlandmi.gov/citystrive.
