By Bella Butler EBS EDITORIAL ASISSTANT
BIG SKY – After 18 years of being Big Sky Transportation
District’s sole employee, Richard Shultz retired in late July. Shultz began
serving the district as the general manager in 2001, when the only bus line in
Big Sky was the Snow Express, only offering limited services during the winter.
BSTD has since expanded from offering service three months out
of the year to 12, with two bus lines—the Skyline and the Link
Express—transferring riders all around Big Sky as well as to and from Bozeman.
Shultz recalls the major transition period for BSTD coinciding
with the addition of David Kack as BSTD coordinator in 2003. The district
underwent large-scale changes in order to be eligible for grants and federal
funding. During this period of growth, Kack said Shultz was instrumental.
“Richard was invaluable in the transition,” Kack wrote in an
email to EBS.
Shultz credits his influence on the district to having been
the only hands-on, eyes-on person in the field. Although Shultz was charged
with general operations and supervising, it wasn’t uncommon to see his famous
grin behind opening bus doors. In addition to overseeing drivers and evaluating
ridership, Shultz often drove routes in the summertime. He was no stranger to
the Skyline’s bike racks and would often hop out at each stop to help riders
load their bikes.
“I’ll miss all the passengers I’ve gotten to know over the
years,” Shultz said.
Shultz said he’s also sad to leave behind the camaraderie and
community among the Skyline and Link Express drivers, but he is excited for the
new opportunities retirement presents.
“It may sound silly, but I’m excited about getting to all the
things that get ignored around my house,” he said.
He also looks forward to spending time with his youngest son,
Yasin.
Although no one has yet been hired, Schultz’ position will be
filled by a Kart Stage “mountain manager,” who will conduct much of the work
Shultz did, though under a contract, according to Kack. Kack expressed
gratitude for Shultz’s time with the transportation district.
“It will be hard to imagine the service operating without him
around.”
