APTA Announces 2026 Bus Safety, Security, and Emergency Management Award Winners!

5/20/2026

APTA recognized outstanding public transportation providers at a special ceremony, May 19, during the 2026 Mobility Conference. The association presented nine transit agencies with the 2026 Bus Safety, Security, and Emergency Management Award, three agencies with a Certificate of Merit, and one agency with the newly established Safe, Effective, and Clean Award.

This year’s honorees—representing public transit systems in California, Maryland, Ohio, Texas, and Washington, DC—were recognized for innovative and proactive efforts to enhance safety; strengthen security; improve emergency preparedness; and deliver clean, reliable service for riders and communities.

“Congratulations to this year’s award winners for setting a high standard for safety, security, and operational excellence in public transportation,” said APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas. “These agencies are advancing innovative programs that protect riders and transit workers while building public confidence in the essential services they provide every day.”

“APTA is also proud to introduce the new Safe, Effective, and Clean Award, which recognizes the industry’s broader commitment to delivering service that is dependable, welcoming, and responsive to the needs of today’s riders,” Skoutelas added.

Nominations are evaluated on four criteria: effectiveness, benefit level, innovation, and transferability. The 2026 winners are awarded in categories based on bus ridership.

The 2026 winners are:

Bus Safety Award

Gold Winners

  • North County Transit–San Diego Railroad, San Diego, CA – More than 3 million and fewer than 15 million passenger trips annually
  • San Diego Metropolitan Transit System, San Diego, CA – More than 50 million passenger trips annually

Certificate of Merit Winner

  • Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority, Corpus Christi, TX – More than 3 million and fewer than 15 million passenger trips annually

Bus Security Award

Gold Winners

  • GTrans, Gardena, CA – Fewer than 3 million passenger trips annually
  • Southwest Ohio Regional Transportation Authority, Cincinnati, OH– More than 3 million and fewer than 15 million passenger trips annually
  • Maryland Transit Administration, Baltimore, MD – More than 15 million and fewer than 50 million passenger trips annually
  • Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro), Los Angeles, CA – More than 50 million passenger trips annually

Certificate of Merit Winners

  • Foothill Transit, West Covina, CA – More than 3 million and fewer than 15 million passenger trips annually
  • Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Washington, DC – More than 50 million passenger trips annually

Bus Emergency Management Award

Gold Winners

  • Capital Metro Transportation Authority (CapMetro), Austin, TX – More than 15 million and fewer than 50 million passenger trips annually
  • Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Washington, DC – More than 50 million passenger trips annually

Bus Safe, Effective and Clean Award

Gold Winner

  • Monterey-Salinas Transit, Monterey, CA – Fewer than 3 million passenger trips annually

Read the winning program descriptions at APTA’s Bus Safety, Security, Emergency Management, and Safe, Effective and Clean Awards page.

View images from the awards ceremony and the overall Mobility Conference and Roadeo.