STV Transportation Planning Manager Elenna Salcido, AICP, from Los Angeles, has been named to Mass Transit’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2023. The awards program recognizes 40 young professionals who are making their mark in the public transit industry.
In its August issue, Mass Transit highlighted Salcido’s contributions to major mass transit projects in the Southern California region, including Los Angeles Metro’s C Line Extension and the agency’s groundbreaking Gender Action Plan. The annual awards celebrate transit professionals who are leading innovative approaches to mass transit and demonstrate a commitment to impacting the industry overall.
“I’m so grateful to be recognized by Mass Transit, especially for the projects that directly impact the Los Angeles community,” said Salcido. “I’m a lifelong transit rider and understand deeply the importance of accessible and safe mass transit to communities across Southern California and the world. It’s an honor to be named amongst fellow professionals who feel as equally passionate about transit as I do.”
Salcido led STV’s planning team and transit technical experts to develop Metro’s Gender Action Plan (GAP), the first-of-its-kind plan to reimagine Metro’s transit system and policies to better meet the needs of women and marginalized gender communities. The plan sets out major initiatives for Metro to implement, including strategies for station and stop design, fare policy, and safety, as well as practical resource guides for Metro staff to identify better services for women customers. As deputy project manager, Salcido oversaw an internal audit of Metro’s existing criteria for projects, interviews with focus groups and advisory committees, and research into best practices.
Salcido’s contributions to mass transit extend across Southern California, including airport transit alternatives through the Hollywood Burbank Airport connectivity study. For the Metro’s C Line Extension that is bringing service to the South Bay region. For Metro’s C Line Extension project, she leads production of the project’s environmental and planning reports and supports public outreach activities.
Salcido is director-elect of the American Planning Association Los Angeles Section, where she’ll serve as director beginning in 2024. Mass Transit also recognized Salcido’s community service through her work with Spark LA, an after-school program focused on girls, and her advocacy for transportation planning and education access in Los Angeles.
“Elenna is an extremely important leader in our West planning division and is the glue that ensures some of our most difficult projects run smoothly,” said Tyler Bonstead, P.E., AICP, vice president of Transportation West and engineering director. “Her passion for improving the lives of Southern California residents is clear in everything she does.”