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