The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) announced the winners of the 2021 Bus and Rail Safety, Security and COVID Response Excellence Awards at at the 2021 PATA Transform and EXPO in Orlando, Fla.

The APTA Bus and Rail Safety & Security Excellence Awards recognize public transit providers for their innovative and proactive safety and security programs. 

“Congratulations to the public transit systems and private management companies being recognized as models of excellence for the industry,” said APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas. “Their work provides a blueprint that can be implemented in systems nationwide and shows the ongoing commitment to improving safety and security for their passengers, employees, and communities in the public transportation industry.”

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 or security program. A Certificate of Merit is given to organizations in recognition of exceptional achievement in safety or security.

The 2021 Safety & Security Excellence Award winners are awarded in categories based on rail modes and bus ridership. Winners include systems from California, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, Ohio, Ontario, Quebec, and Texas.

COVID RESPONSE AWARD 

Bus Gold Winners

• Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro), Los Angeles, CA – More than 20 million passenger trips annually

• Metrolinx (GO Transit), Toronto, ON – More than 4 million and fewer than 20 million passenger trips annually

• City of Gardena (GTrans), Gardena, CA – Fewer than 4 million passenger trips annually

Bus Merit Winners                                                                

• AC Transit, Oakland, CA – More than 20 million passenger trips annually

• Palm Tran, West Palm Beach, FL – More than 4 million and fewer than 20 million passenger trips annually

• Manatee County Area Transit, Bradenton, FL – Fewer than 4 million passenger trips annually

RAIL Gold Winners

• Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA), Cleveland, OH – Heavy Rail

• Trinity Metro, Fort Worth, TX – Commuter/Intercity Rail

• San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), San Diego, CA – Light Rail/Streetcar

Rail Merit Winners

• San Bernadino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA), San Bernadino, CA – Commuter/Intercity Rail

• Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Houston Metro), Houston, TX – Light Rail/Streetcar

SAFETY EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Bus Gold Winners

• The New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJ Transit), Newark, NJ – More than 20 million passenger trips annually

• METRO Regional Transit Authority, Akron, OH –More than 4 million and fewer than 20 million passenger trips annually

• City of Gardena (GTrans), Gardena, CA – Fewer than 4 million passenger trips annually

• MTM Transit, Sarasota County, FL – Private Companies Providing Contracted Service

Rail Gold Winners

• MTA Metro-North Railroad, New York, NY – Commuter/Intercity Rail

• Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), Boston, MA – Light Rail/Streetcar

Rail Merit Winners

• The New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJ Transit), Newark, NJ - Commuter/Intercity Rail

• New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (NORTA), New Orleans, LA – Light Rail/Streetcar

SECURITY EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Bus Gold Winners

• Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada, Los Vegas, NV – More than 20 million passenger trips annually

• Regional Transit Authority (METRO), Akron, OH – more than 4 million and fewer than 20 million passenger trips annually

Rail Gold Winners

• Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT), Sacramento, CA – Light Rail/Streetcar

• Société de transport de Montréal (STM), Montreal, QC – Heavy Rail