On June 26, 2024, the UCSF Transportation team marched alongside the San Francisco community to support the LGBTQ community and stand in solidarity with everyone celebrating Pride. The Pride parade, blessed with inviting weather, saw throngs of enthusiastic spectators. UCSF’s shuttle, transformed into a moving rainbow, captured the crowd’s admiration as it navigated down Market Street. People cheered, waved, and snapped selfies with the shuttle, and used it as a colorful backdrop for their pictures, making it one of the parade’s highlights.
Erik Zandhuis, Director of Transit, attended the event with his transportation team. He reflects, “this was our inaugural run, but will not be our last! Seeing so many happy faces was very rewarding.”
Special kudos to the dynamic team that made this happen: Ashkan Ahani, Fleet Manager, Carlos Vides, Safety and Compliance Officer, Mickel Garcia, Transportation Supervisor, and Augustine (Gus) DelToro and Daniel Genolio, shuttle drivers. Their enthusiasm was palpable as they walked alongside the shuttle, mingling with the crowd and handing out UCSF-branded goodies. The event was also attended by Pam Su, Executive Director Programs & Services, and other UCSF faculty, learners, and researchers. A round of applause also goes to the UCSF Office of Communications, Campus Life Services Marketing and the Documents and Media team who worked magic in a short time to enrobe the shuttle into a rolling canvas of PRIDE 2024 artwork. The University is honored to have representation reinforcing our belief in inclusivity and respect for all.
Although Pride Month is over, it’s important to continue celebrating and recognizing year-round. Zandhuis says “keeping our Pride values in our daily dealings with all those who we interact with, this will define us always, not just during the month of June.”
The collaboration for this event is a testament to UCSF’s ongoing commitment to the University’s own PRIDE values. Representing UCSF at Pride with our shuttles and team members symbolizes the core values that every member of UCSF upholds, from the classroom to the driver’s seat.
Imagine a shuttle bus not just as a mode of transport, but as a symbol for celebration, unity, and love.
