APTA Announces 2023 Rail Safety, Security, and Emergency Management Winners
The awards recognize transit organizations for their innovative and proactive safety and security programs.

The 2023 Rail Safety, Security and Emergency Management Award winners are awarded in categories of Commuter/Intercity Rail, Light Rail/Streetcar, and Heavy Rail.
Photo: MTA/Patrick Cashin
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) honored nine public transportation providers from California, Georgia, Louisiana, New York, Oregon, and Texas with the 2023 Rail Safety, Security, and Emergency Management Awards.
The awards recognize transit organizations for their innovative and proactive safety and security programs. This year, APTA added a new category to honor transit agencies that excel in the management of emergencies though partnerships, planning, exercises, and drills.
“These awards highlight the dedication and hard work of individuals and organizations that strive to ensure the safety and well-being of passengers, employees, and the communities they serve,” said APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas. “I want to congratulate the public transit agencies being honored today for their exceptional achievements in safety, security and emergency management, and for being an inspiration to others in the industry.”
How the Awards are Determined
Nominations are evaluated on four criteria: effectiveness, benefit level, innovation, and transferability. The top honor is the Gold Award, which is presented to organizations with the best example of a safety, security, or emergency management program. A Certificate of Merit is given to organizations in recognition of exceptional achievement in safety, security, or emergency management.
The 2023 Rail Safety, Security and Emergency Management Award winners are awarded in categories of Commuter/Intercity Rail, Light Rail/Streetcar, and Heavy Rail. The 2023 winners are:
RAIL SAFETY AWARD
Gold Winners
MTA Metro-North Railroad, New York – Commuter/Intercity Rail
Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet), Portland, Ore. – Light Rail/Streetcar
Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART), Oakland, Calif. – Heavy Rail
Certificate of Merit Winners
Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink), Los Angeles – Commuter/Intercity Rail
Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT), Sacramento, Calif. – Light Rail/Streetcar
RAIL SECURITY AWARD
Gold Winners
Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet), Portland, Ore. – Light Rail/Streetcar
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), Atlanta – Heavy Rail Certificate of Merit Winner
Niagara Frontier Transit Authority (NFTA), Buffalo, N.Y. – Light Rail/Streetcar
RAIL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AWARD
Gold Winners
MTA Metro-North Railroad, New York – Commuter/Intercity Rail
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), Dallas – Light Rail/Streetcar Certificate of Merit Winner
New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA), New Orleans – Light Rail/Streetcar
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