The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) announced it has honored six public transportation providers from Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio, and Texas with the 2023 Bus 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 through partnerships, planning, exercises, and drills. 

“Every day our industry works closely together to provide transportation to all Americans. A major part of that effort is addressing security and safety advancements and sharing best practices with systems across the country,” said APTA president/CEO Paul P. Skoutelas. “I want to congratulate the public transit agencies being honored for their safety and security contributions to the industry. Their work will guide the continued growth and advancement of public transit, making it safer for their passengers, employees, and communities nationwide.”

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 Bus Safety, Security, and Emergency Management Award winners are awarded in categories based on bus ridership.

The 2023 winners are:

Bus Safety Award

Gold Winner

• Pace Suburban Bus (Pace), Arlington Heights, Illinois – More than 4 million and fewer than 20 million passenger trips annually.

Certificate of Merit Winner

• METRO Regional Transit Authority (Metro RTA), Akron, Ohio -- Fewer than 4 million passenger trips annually.

Bus Security Award

Gold Winner

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

Certificate of Merit Winners

• Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (CCRTA), Corpus Christi, Texas – Fewer than 4 million passenger trips annually.

• METRO Regional Transit Authority (Metro RTA), Akron, Ohio – Fewer than 4 million passenger trips annually.

Bus Emergency Management Award

Gold Winner

• Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CapMetro), Austin, Texas – More than 20 million passenger trips annually.

Certificate of Merit Winners

• Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (CCRTA), Corpus Christi, Texas – Fewer than 4 million passenger trips annually.

• Miami-Dade Transit, Miami, Florida – Greater than 20 million passenger trips annually.