MENU
SEARCHThis reward recognizes Metro's achievements in expanding Los Angeles’ transit system while promoting equity and driving job growth and economic development across the region.
So far, since 2015, Metro has awarded more than $1 billion to small businesses across all programs.
Photo: Han Zheng/Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) was honored with the 2023 Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) Agency of the Year Award, according to the agency's news release.
This reward recognizes Metro's achievements in expanding Los Angeles’ transit system while promoting equity and driving job growth and economic development across the region.
"Congratulations to CEO Stephanie Wiggins, former Board Chair Ara Najarian, and the entire Metro agency for earning COMTO’s Agency of the Year Award," said the Mayor of Los Angeles Karen Bass. "This recognition shows that the entire organization is dedicated to expanding access to the Metro system across Los Angeles while consistently working toward a more equitable, high-quality rider experience. I thank COMTO for their partnership, for raising the importance of diversity in the transportation industry, and for acknowledging Metro’s leadership this year.”
In October 2022, Metro opened seven of the nine K Line stations in South Los Angeles and Inglewood.
Metro also opened the Regional Connector in June, adding three new stations in Downtown Los Angeles and connecting the L, A, E, B, and D rail lines. This new connection provides customers a one-seat ride from Azusa to Long Beach and East Los Angeles to Santa Monica and increases access to jobs, education, essential services, and arts and cultural destinations.
Along with expanding Metro’s transit system, these projects have created thousands of jobs and opportunities for local businesses. Metro has a plan to ensure that 48% of Metro’s contracts and procurements include small, disadvantaged, and historically under-utilized businesses by 2028.
This aspirational target includes Metro’s signature programs such as the Small Business Enterprise (SBE) and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE), Small Business Prime (SB Prime), and the Local Small Business Preference.
So far, since 2015, Metro has awarded more than $1 billion to small businesses across all programs.
"I am so proud of the tireless efforts and dedication of our entire team in providing exceptional transportation services to our communities," said Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins. “We are grateful to be recognized by COMTO and inspired to continue pushing the boundaries of excellence in public transportation.”
METRO’s People Movement highlights the latest leadership changes, promotions, and personnel news across the public transit, motorcoach, and people mobility sectors.
Read More →
BART began offering select parking lots to non-BART riders to generate new revenue to help address its FY27 $376M operating budget deficit brought on by remote work.
Read More →
Agencies across the U.S. honored transit workers on March 18, recognizing the essential roles they play in keeping communities moving daily.
Read More →
Drawing on decades of industry experience, Evans-Benson offered insights into the differences between the two, along with tips for better customer engagement and more.
Read More →
The renewals include continued operations at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida; the PRTC in Virginia; and RTC Washoe in Nevada.
Read More →
The new system introduces tap-to-pay, touchscreen kiosks, and updated Breeze cards, with both old and new systems running through May.
Read More →
The governor’s proposed auto insurance reforms could save the agency $48 million annually by limiting payouts in crashes where buses are not primarily at fault.
Read More →
What truly drives the cost of a paratransit fleet? Beyond the purchase price, seven operational factors quietly determine maintenance frequency, downtime, and long-term service reliability. This whitepaper explores how these factors shape lifecycle cost and what agencies should evaluate when selecting paratransit vehicles.
Read More →
In this conversation, TBC’s Executive Director Ed Redfern, President Corey Aldridge, and Washington Representative Joel Rubin outline the coalition’s key policy priorities, the challenges facing transit agencies, and how industry stakeholders can work together to strengthen the voice of bus transit at the federal level.
Read More →
Amanda Wanke, who has worked at DART for 10 years, including the past 2½ years as CEO, will join Metro Transit as deputy chief operating officer, operations administration.
Read More →
