The city of Santa Monica recently announced the sad news of the passing of an extraordinary leader, Stephanie Negriff, former director of the Big Blue Bus, at the age of 67. Negriff joined the Big Blue Bus in 1986 and eventually became its director in 2002. She retired in 2011, leaving a lasting legacy of community service, innovation, and environmental sustainability, as reported by the city.
Anuj Gupta, Interim Director of Santa Monica's Department of Transportation, fondly remembered Negriff, stating, "Stephanie was a visionary leader who helped establish a bedrock of enduring programs and services that continue to support our community's transportation needs." Her unwavering commitment towards the betterment of the transportation service through teamwork, integrity, and continuous improvement still resonates in the agency today, as mentioned by the City of Santa Monica government website.
During her tenure as the director of the Big Blue Bus, Negriff was responsible for the creation of highly impactful projects such as Downtown Santa Monica's Transit Mall, the implementation of two bus rapid transit lines, and the expansion of the Big Blue Bus campus. One of her most notable contributions was the development of a state-of-the-art bus maintenance facility, which went on to win numerous awards.
Negriff's vision translated into forging innovative partnerships with educational institutions like Santa Monica College and UCLA, as well as regional fare programs through the LA Metro. These collaborations not only improved the quality of service for the community but also secured economic sustainability for the Big Blue Bus.
As a true environmentalist and clean energy advocate, Negriff guided the Big Blue Bus towards becoming a forward-looking and eco-friendly transportation service. She spearheaded the transition from traditional fossil fuels to a cleaner energy fleet, incorporating gas/electric hybrid, biodiesel, and compressed natural gas vehicles into the fleet.
Under Negriff's inspiring leadership, the Big Blue Bus won the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award in 2011. In the same year, Negriff herself was named the APTA Outstanding Public Transit Manager, a testament to her dedication and prowess in the field.
Negriff's impact on the transportation sector also extended beyond the Big Blue Bus. She was actively involved in negotiating funding policies for the distribution of Prop C, Measure R, and other regional transportation formula programs, ensuring that municipal transit systems in Los Angeles County, including the Big Blue Bus, could achieve long-term economic stability.
Stephanie Negriff's commitment to clean energy and her vision of a greener future continue to be embodied in the Big Blue Bus's current operations. The agency aims to convert its entire fleet from natural gas to zero-emission vehicles by 2030. Presently, 10-percent of the fleet is battery electric, and the remainder runs on renewable natural gas (RNG), liquefied and compressed natural gas (LNG/CNG), enabling up to a 90-percent reduction in emissions.
Stephanie Negriff's funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 30, at the Chapel of the Gardens, Mountain View Mortuary, in Altadena according to the official press release.
