Mountain Transit has been awarded the 2026 Big Bear Chamber Excellence in Business Award for its transformation under General Manager Sandy Benson. - The service grew from 190,000 riders to nearly one million free rides annually.
- Fare-free service was achieved through partnerships with local entities like the City of Big Bear Lake and Big Bear Mountain Resort. - Staff expanded from 27 to 77 employees, with new facilities under construction.
- Innovative programs like Trolley to Trails and Oktoberfest shuttles enhance community mobility. The award highlights how strategic leadership and community collaboration turned a struggling transit agency into a model for rural innovation.