APTA Celebrates Industry’s Best Marketing, Communications, and Customer Experience Work at TRANSform

9/18/2025

APTA honored its 2025 AdWheel Grand Award winners at the APTA Honors Luncheon Sept. 16 during TRANSform in Boston, MA. AdWheel recognizes APTA member public transportation systems and business members for outstanding marketing, communications, and customer experience efforts that contribute to strategic organizational goals. Additionally, the awards create a structure to share best practices and to raise the awareness of the value of public transportation marketing professionals.

Three hundred and thirty-five entries were submitted for the 2025 AdWheel Awards, with the 15 best entries celebrated as the Grand Award winners. Hundreds of industry experts evaluated the entries in three categories: Campaigns on Workforce Development, Increasing Ridership or Sales, and Educational Efforts.

Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development

From left: Ibrahima Toure, chief development officer, RATP Dev; Brittany Harper, manager, marketing & special events, MARTA; Farrin Gallardo-Castillo, manager of talent acquisitions and executive recruitment, CapMetro; Andrew Brown, graphic designer, Community Transit; Alex Clifford, CEO, San Joaquin RTD.

San Joaquin RTD, Stockton, CA
Fewer than 3 million annual passenger trips
Operator Recruitment

Community Transit, Everett, WA
More than 3 million but fewer than 15 million annual passenger trips
Advertising to Recruit Mechanics

Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CapMetro), Austin, TX
More than 15 million but fewer than 50 million annual passenger trips
CapMetro Recruiting

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), Atlanta, GA
More than 50 million annual passenger trips
Celebrating LGBTQ Employees

RATP Dev, Fort Worth, TX
Business Member
Veteran Recruiting Campaign

Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales

From left: Allison Gray, partnerships, Transit app; Michael Puplett, head of transit control, Toronto Transit Commission; Dow Constantine, CEO, Sound Transit; Jim Gee, director of public transportation and operations, RTC of Washoe County; Jason Rose, chief communications officer, Valley Regional Transit.

Valley Regional Transit, Meridian, ID
Fewer than 3 million annual passenger trips
Let’s Ride, BOI

RTC of Washoe County, Reno, NV
More than 3 million but fewer than 15 million annual passenger trips
Get on Board

Sound Transit, Seattle, WA
More than 15 million but fewer than 50 million annual passenger trips
Light Rail Expansion Campaign

Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), Toronto, ON, CANADA
More than 50 million annual passenger trips
Swift Moves

Transit app, Montreal, QC, CANADA
Business Member
Riders Choice Awards

Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative

From left: Jessica Roberts, partnerships, Transit app; Sarah Meyer, EVP & chief customer experience officer, WMATA; Sharmila Mukherjee, executive vice president-chief planning and development officer, CapMetro; Danielle Glagola Frost, chief communications & marketing officer, Santa Cruz METRO; Jacki Lenners, deputy general manager, Mountain Line.

Mountain Line, Flagstaff, AZ
Fewer than 3 million annual passenger trips
Passing of Prop 488

Santa Cruz METRO, Santa Cruz, CA
More than 3 million but fewer than 15 million annual passenger trips
One Ride at a Time Campaign

CapMetro, Austin, TX
More than 15 million but fewer than 50 million annual passenger trips
McKalla Station Launch

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Washington, DC
More than 50 million annual passenger trips
WMATA Better Bus Network Redesign

Transit app
Business Member
Campaign to Get Voters to the Polls

Watch related videos, see the campaigns, and learn more about all the AdWheel winners here. View more images from TRANSform.