APTA recognizes 7 organizations for sustainability efforts
Depending on the level of achievement, organizations were presented Gold, Silver and Bronze level certifications by APTA Chair Peter Varga at the APTA Sustainability and Public Transportation Workshop, which is being held at the Omni Parker House Hotel in Boston.
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) recognized seven organizations for their outstanding sustainability achievements that have met specific criteria through the APTA Sustainability Commitment program.
Public transit agencies and businesses that voluntarily participate in the APTA Sustainability Commitment program commit to implementing processes and actions that create continuous improvements in environmental, social and economic sustainability. Depending on the level of achievement, organizations were presented Gold, Silver and Bronze level certifications by APTA Chair Peter Varga at the APTA Sustainability and Public Transportation Workshop, which is being held at the Omni Parker House Hotel in Boston.
The organizations receiving Gold Level recognition were Ill.’s Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District; Boston’s Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority; Minneapolis’ Metro Transit; and the Société de Transport de Montréal.
Springfield, Ore.-based Lane Transit District received a Silver Level Recognition, while the two Bronze Level recipients were Toronto’s GO Transit and Stacy and Witbeck — the first construction firm to receive this honor, for the sustainability efforts at its Portland, Ore. office and four project field offices.
Started in 2009, 121 public transit agencies and businesses have signed on to the APTA Sustainability Commitment Program. Currently, 24 of these signatories have now received recognition, as determined by specific measured achievements.
The region’s fixed-route system finished out the year with a total of 373.5 million rides. Adding 12.3 million rides over 2024 represents an increase that is equal to the annual transit ridership of Kansas City.
Rolling out in electric yellow and seafoam blue, the first battery-electric buses purchased from GILLIG will begin serving riders in south King County on February 2.
The agreement provides competitive wages and reflects strong labor-management collaboration, positive working relationships, and a shared commitment to building a world-class transit system for the community, said RTA CEO Lona Edwards Hankins.
The priorities are outlined in the 2026 Board and CEO Initiatives and Action Plan, which serves as a roadmap to guide the agency’s work throughout the year and ensure continued progress and accountability on voter-approved transportation investments and essential mobility services.
In this edition, we cover recent appointments and announcements at HDR, MCTS, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.
While their comprehensive analysis of bus stops focused on Massachusetts, the researchers are excited about the generalizability of the findings and application to other locations.
CEO Nat Ford’s address offered a look at highlights from 2025, with a focus on the future and the innovative ways the JTA is shaping mobility in Northeast Florida.
