City of Asheville Appoints New Transit Planning Manager

Eunice Lovi, Asheville Transit
Eunice Lovi will help implement Asheville’s new Transit Master Plan.

The City of Asheville has announced that Eunice Lovi has been appointed the city’s new Transit Planning Manager.

She brings with her more than a decade of transit management experience, most recently from the Broward County Transit system in Plantation, FL.

Lovi holds a Masters in Urban Planning from the University of Oregon and has worked with transit systems from California to Florida. She has implemented transit initiatives to increase ridership and improve system performance.

“The Transportation Department is beyond excited for Eunice to join our team,” said Director Ken Putnam. “She brings an unparalleled level of experience, energy and dedication to the transit division and we are confident that she will be successful in improving all aspects of our transit system.”

Lovi will implement Asheville’s updated Transit Master Plan, adopted by City Council in July 2018 with input from riders and residents.

The Transit Master Plan is a 10-year plan designed with phased implementation, financing and staffing. So there will be more improvements to come, under Lovi’s leadership. Last month, Council approved the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 budget, which focuses on providing better on-time service, as well as route expansions. The first round of improvements will kick off in January 2020.

“It is an exciting time to be in Asheville and I’m looking forward to working with the community to improve our transit service and implement the Transit Master Plan,” said Lovi.

This summer ART deployed its first-ever zero-emission electric buses on Routes S3 and S6 to south Asheville and 170 to Black Mountain. The ART Transit Station on Coxe Avenue is undergoing a renovation incorporating improved signage, waiting area, and restrooms, as well as rooftop solar panels to generate renewable energy for its operation.