The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) announced the winners of the 2009 Bus Safety Awards on Sunday at the opening session of the annual APTA Bus and Paratransit Conference in Seattle.

The APTA Bus Safety Awards recognize public transportation organizations and contractors for their positive safety records and dedication to improving safety. The top honor is the GOLD Award, which is given to the organization with the best overall bus safety program. A Certificate of Merit is also given to organizations in recognition of exceptional achievement in bus safety, while a Certificate of Special Achievement is awarded in recognition of notable achievement in bus management.

This year’s winners were:

Bus systems operating 1 million and fewer than 4 million passenger trips:

GOLD award – Southwest Metro Transit (Eden Prairie, Minn.)

Certificate of Merit – SunLine Transit Agency (Thousand Palms, Calif)

Bus systems operating 4 million and fewer than 30 million passenger trips:

GOLD award – Transit Authority of River City (Louisville, Ky.)

Certificate of Merit – Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Austin, Texas)

Certificate of Merit – Community Transit (Everett, Wash.)

Certificate of Merit – Cyride, Ames Transit Agency (Ames, Iowa)

Certificate of Special Achievement – Metropolitan Transit Authority (Nashville, Tenn.)

Bus systems operating 30 million or more passenger trips:

GOLD award – Toronto Transit Commission (Toronto)

GOLD award – Metro Transit (Minneapolis)

Certificate of Merit – King County Metro Transit (Seattle)

Certificate of Merit – Dallas Area Rapid Transit (Dallas)

Private Contractor for Bus System:

GOLD award – Veolia Transportation (Phoenix)