The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has recognized two of its member organizations for continued achievements in sustainability.

Public transit agencies and businesses voluntarily choose to join the APTA Sustainability Commitment program and pledge to implement processes and actions that create continuous improvements in environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Based on specific measurable achievements, organizations are given Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze Level recognition.

This year, the Platinum-level recognition was given to WSP USA and the Gold-level recognition was awarded to Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA). (MARTA previously received APTA’s Bronze-level recognition in 2015.)

PLATINUM Level – WSP USA
A founding signatory to the Sustainability Commitment Program, WSP is the first business member to earn the Platinum recognition. In their role, the greatest benefit WSP can provide is through its services offered and projects delivered. For example, through WSP’s global Future Ready^TM innovation program, WSP helps its transit clients create a more sustainable, prosperous, and resilient society by evaluating how each project can anticipate and prepare for future changes in societal needs, resource availability, technology, and climate.

Among WSP’s achievements include supporting the California High Speed Rail Authority in recently achieving Envision platinum certification, and having a commitment to achieve net zero emissions across its value chain by 2040, which is supported by science-based greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets approved by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

GOLD Level – MARTA
MARTA is committed to operating an environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable public transit system. Notably, MARTA has successfully achieved ISO 55000 certification for their asset management program and ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System certification at nine of its facilities.

Outside its facilities and operations, MARTA has participated in a number of community programs over the recent years. MARTA constructed a low-impact business village near transit, plus they are working on expanding the Transit-Adjacent Development program. Also, in the face of evolving mobility landscape, MARTA contributed to improving multimodal accessibility by partnering with the City of Atlanta in the Relay Bikes, a bike share program, and installed bike racks and fix-it stations. Lastly, as electric vehicles (EV) become more commonplace in Atlanta, MARTA has started and will add EV charging stations to rail and bus station parking lots and structures, as well as maintenance facilities for employees to use.

“We are thrilled to welcome our first APTA business member, WSP, to the Platinum level of our sustainability program and to recognize the continued work of MARTA as it builds its service for a more sustainable future,” said APTA President/CEO Paul P. Skoutelas. “From the supply chain changes at WSP to the growth at MARTA building better transit-oriented development and providing more accessibility for bike access to transit, these are just a few of the ways our members are making our industry more sustainable.”

First started in 2009, 126 public transit agencies and businesses have signed on to the APTA Sustainability Commitment. Currently, 48 signatories have received higher level recognition.