This year, we saw standout operators and groundbreaking agency-supplier partnerships. METRO’s 2025 awards recognized the people and programs pushing public transportation and motorcoach forward.

As we look back on 2025, these honorees tell the story of an industry evolving fast, and the new Frank Di Giacomo Leadership Award will carry that momentum into 2026.

Here’s a look at our award winners from the year:

OK TOURS Named METRO's Innovative Operator of the Year

In February, San Antonio–based OK TOURS was named METRO Magazine’s 2025 Innovative Motorcoach Operator of the Year at ABA Marketplace in Philadelphia, recognized for its leadership in safety, customer experience, and creative marketing. 

The company stood out for its strong digital engagement, modern fleet, and advanced safety technology, earning national recognition for a team-driven approach to innovation.

Peter Pan Bus Lines Recognized As METRO’s Motorcoach Operator of the Year

In late February, Peter Pan Bus Lines was named METRO’s Motorcoach Operator of the Year at the UMA Expo for its decades-long commitment to reliability, innovation, and customer service, paired with a strong fourth-generation, family-owned culture.

The company stood out for leveraging technology to modernize the passenger experience, expanding service through strategic partnerships, and investing in workforce growth while maintaining uninterrupted operations through industry challenges.

METRO’s 2025 Innovative Solutions Award Recipients

We announced the winners of the 2025 Innovative Solutions Awards in August, recognizing bus and rail agencies and supplier partners for initiatives that improved efficiency, safety, mobility, and customer experience. Now in its 11th year, the awards highlight forward-thinking projects that replaced outdated systems and delivered measurable operational and service improvements across North America.

2025 Women in Transportation

Toward the end of the year, we revealed our Women in Transportation who are reshaping the future of transportation and redefining what leadership looks like in an industry long dominated by men.

From Julie Chalmer’s strategic approach to building stronger, more efficient motorcoach operations, to Barbara Cline’s unwavering focus on rural mobility and accessible service for all, to MJ Mayned-Carey’s transformative leadership guiding one of the nation’s most dynamic transit agencies, each of these women exemplifies excellence and purpose.

Read their stories:

• Julie Chalmers’ Path from Family Legacy to Leadership Success

• How Barbara Cline Built One of South Dakota’s Most Vital Transit Systems

• MJ Maynard Talks Advocacy, Mentorship, and the Future of Transit

New Award Coming in 2026

At our Public Transit & Technology Exchange (PTTX) in Scottsdale, Arizona, we announced the launch of a new award to honor long-time METRO and School Bus Fleet Publisher Frank Di Giacomo. The award will be named the Frank Di Giacomo Leadership Award, and will recognize an individual whose vision, dedication, and leadership have made a lasting impact on the public transit industry.

Honorees will embody the spirit of innovation, collaboration, and service that Di Giacomo championed throughout his career, elevating buses as essential connectors in communities across North America.

Look for more information soon.