Introducing APTA’s 2024 Rail Safety, Security, Emergency Management Award Winners!

6/7/2024

Rail Safety Award and Rail Emergency Management Award Gold Winner: MTA Metro-North Railroad. From left: Justin Vonashek, executive vice president/COO; Catherine Rinaldi, president.

APTA honored six public transportation providers from California, Georgia, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC, with its 2024 Rail Safety, Security, and Emergency Management Awards during the Rail Conference in Cleveland, OH.

“These awards celebrate the commitment and efforts of public transit agencies and their employees who are dedicated to safeguarding the welfare of passengers, employees, and the communities they serve every single day,” said APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas. “I extend my congratulations to the agencies recognized today for their outstanding accomplishments in safety, security, and emergency management. They serve as shining examples within the industry—inspiring others to strive for excellence.”

Nominations are evaluated on four criteria: effectiveness, benefit level, innovation, and transferability. The top honor is the Gold Award, which is presented to organizations with the best example of a safety, security, or emergency management program. A Certificate of Merit is given to organizations in recognition of exceptional achievement in safety, security, or emergency management.

Award winners were recognized in categories of Commuter/Intercity Rail, Light Rail/Streetcar, and Heavy Rail. The 2024 winners are:

Rail Safety Award Gold Winner: WMATA. From left: Brian Dwyer, chief operating officer; Jason Snyder, director of safety policy and promotion.

Rail Safety Award

Gold Winners

  • MTA Metro-North Railroad, New York, NY: Commuter/Intercity Rail
  • Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Washington, DC: Heavy Rail

Certificate of Merit Winners

  • MTA Long Island Railroad, New York, NY: Commuter/Intercity Rail
  • Southern California Regional Rail Authority, Los Angeles, CA: Commuter/Intercity Rail

Rail Security Award

Gold Winners

  • Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), Philadelphia, PA: Heavy Rail
  • Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet), Portland, OR: Light Rail/Streetcar
Rail Security Award Gold Winner: SEPTA. From left: Scott Sauer, chief operating officer; Leslie Richards, general manager and CEO; Chuck Lawson, chief of police.

Certificate of Merit Winners

  • MTA New York City Transit, New York, NY: Heavy Rail
  • Southern California Regional Rail Authority, Los Angeles, CA: Commuter/Intercity Rail

Rail Emergency Management Award

Gold Winners

  • Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), Atlanta, GA: Heavy Rail
  • MTA Metro-North Railroad, New York, NY: Commuter/Intercity Rail

Certificate of Merit Winner

  • Southern California Regional Rail Authority, Los Angeles, CA: Commuter/Intercity Rail

Read more about the winning programs at www.apta.com/2024awards. View more images from the conference here.

Rail Security Award Gold Winner: TriMet. From left: Sam Desue, Jr., general manager; Bonnie Todd, chief operating officer; Andrew Wilson, chief safety officer; Patrick Williams, security director.
Rail Emergency Management Award Gold Winner: MARTA. From left: Scott Kreher AGM/chief of police; Major Chablis Salters; Sgt. Orane Phillips.