METRO Announces 2022 Innovative Solutions Award Winners
This year's winners bring technology to the forefront to solve different mobility issues and improve safety.

The Ride Pingo to Transit service was launched in September 2021 and funded by the US DOE because it included a feature called “Transit Connect,” which guarantees a rider will make their connection to a selected bus or train at Kent Station.
King County Metro
METRO Magazine is pleased to announce the winners of its 2022 Innovative Solutions Award, which will be featured online in Monday’s METRO Express newsletter and in our October issue.
Now in its eighth year, the Innovative Solutions Awards honors bus operations and their supplier partners who have implemented initiatives that helped them save money, run more efficiently, streamline operations, increase safety, improve customer satisfaction, increase ridership, and more.
This year’s winners are heavily focused on providing mobility in ways that solve different issues impacting the regions they provide service in, as well as testing technology that can improve driver safety.
This year’s winners are:
Durham Region Transit/Spare Labs/Transit – Mobility
L.A. Metro/Rosco – Safety
King County Metro/Hopelink/The Routing Company – First Mile/Last Mile
Porter County Aging and Community Service/RideCo – Paratransit
“We are very excited about winning this award,” said Jeff Switzer, public information officer, strategic communications & engagement, for the GM’s office at Seattle’s King County Metro. “The Ride Pingo service was a long time coming, we were happy to be able to launch service and provide some much-needed transit connections to this community.”
METRO’s staff would like to thank everyone who applied, congratulations again goes to all our winners, and don’t forget to tune in online and in print to find out more about their stories.
More Bus

Biz Briefs: OCTA Taps Clean Energy for Hydrogen Station, Stadler to Supply Via Rail Vehicles, and More
From manufacturers and suppliers to transit agencies and motorcoach operators, these updates offer a snapshot of the projects, partnerships and business moves driving the industry forward.
Read More →
METRO Magazine Announces 2026 Innovative Solutions Awards Winners
Projects Recognized for Advancing Mobility Through Technology, Accessibility, Workforce Innovation, and Operational Excellence
Read More →
Biz Briefs: STV teams with Amtrak, Motorcoach Operators Boost Fleet and Land Contracts, and More
From manufacturers and suppliers to transit agencies and motorcoach operators, these updates offer a snapshot of the projects, partnerships and business moves driving the industry forward.
Read More →
LA Metro Marks Banner Year, Sets Ambitious Goals for New Fiscal Year
Incoming LA Metro Board Chair and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass joined outgoing Board Chair Fernando Dutra and LA Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins to review accomplishments from fiscal year 2026, which included the opening of new rail extensions, advancement of major transit projects, expanded safety programs, and new rider amenities.
Read More →
DART Taps Nathaniel P. Ford Sr. as Next President/CEO
Since 2012, Ford has served as the CEO of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority
Read More →
AC Transit’s Cecil Blandon on Building the Next Generation of Transit Maintenance Leaders
The agency’s maintenance chief discusses leadership, workforce development, zero-emission technology, and preparing technicians for the future of public transportation.
Read More →
Building the Next Generation of Transit Technology
In this edition of METROspectives, Luminator CEO Magnus Friberg discusses the company's transformation, the growing role of AI and software, and what's next for transit technology.
Read More →
June LA Metro Ridership Surges 2 Million Year Over Year
Total June ridership increased for both weekdays and weekends. Weekday ridership was 953,820, which grew 8.4% from June 2025; Saturdays increased nearly 13% year-over-year to 708,826; and Sundays increased 7.7% to 611,534 from June 2025, according to LA Metro.
Read More →
Washington's Pierce Transit Board Sends Transit Funding Measure to November Ballot
With the adoption of Resolution 2026-006, the measure moves to the Pierce County Auditor, giving voters in the Pierce Transit service area the decision on whether to fund an expansion of local transit service within the agency’s service area.
Read More →
New York Unveils Sweeping Plan to Modernize City Bus Service
Next Stop: Fast Buses, Better Service identifies 50 priority bus corridors for improvements across the five boroughs and launches the City’s next generation of rapid bus service along five key routes.
Read More →