APTA is pleased to recognize the First Place winners of its 2022 AdWheel Awards. The awards go to APTA member systems and business members for outstanding marketing and communications efforts that contributed to strategic organizational goals.
Around 300 entries were evaluated by dozens of industry experts and First Place awards were presented in four categories:
- best marketing and communications on the COVID-19 pandemic,
- campaigns to support ridership or sales,
- educational efforts, and
- projects to highlight transit needs and funding.
The 87 First Place winners below were judged again and narrowed down to 17 Grand Award winners.
| SYSTEM/BUSINESS | NAME | CATEGORY | SUBCATEGORY | GROUP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kitsap Transit | Kitsap Transit "We Are Kitsap. We Can Do This" - Ride Safe During COVID-19 Campaign | Category 1: Best Marketing and Communications on COVID-19 | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| LYNX - Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority | LYNX Service Change Initiative to Support Ridership | Category 2: Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Shoestring Tactic | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Transdev North America | Hudson Link is Listening | Category 3: Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 4 - Business member |
| Jacksonville Transportation Authority | Wellness on Wheels | Category 1: Best Marketing and Communications on COVID-19 | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Riverside Transit Agency | The Riverside Transit Agency’s $5 Promo Boosts Sluggish Ridership | Category 2: Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Shoestring Tactic | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| Embark | Saved Seat Campaign | Category 1: Best Marketing and Communications on COVID-19 | Electronic Media | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| Regional Transportation District | Move Your City | Category 4: Best Marketing and Communications to Highlight Transit Needs/Funding | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| City of Gardena (G-Trans)(formerly Gardena Municipal Bus Lines) | City of Gardena GTrans Introduction of New 7X Stadium Express Service | Category 2: Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| Jacksonville Transportation Authority | Local Option Gas Tax Proposal | Category 4: Best Marketing and Communications to Highlight Transit Needs/Funding | Partnership | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Pace Suburban Bus | Pace Suburban Bus - We're Ready Even if You're Not | Category 1: Best Marketing and Communications on COVID-19 | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| TransLoc Inc. | American Rescue Plan & Infrastructure Bill, & Transit Access Live Event Sparks Discussion About the Future of Mobility | Category 4: Best Marketing and Communications to Highlight Transit Needs/Funding | Electronic Media | Group 4 - Business member |
| C-TRAN | C-TRAN - 40th Anniversary | Category 3: Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Partnership | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| San Joaquin Regional Transit District | Marketing for Workforce Recruitment | Category 4: Best Marketing and Communications to Highlight Transit Needs/Funding | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| Transit app | Operator recruitment campaign in Transit app | Category 4: Best Marketing and Communications to Highlight Transit Needs/Funding | Shoestring Tactic | Group 4 - Business member |
| Battle Creek Transit | Battle Creek Transit - BCGo, your connection to Calhoun County | Category 2: Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Electronic Media | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| Kitsap Transit | Kitsap Transit "Get Vaccinated" Fare Promotion Campaign | Category 1: Best Marketing and Communications on COVID-19 | Partnership | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| Transdev North America | Vaccines: Another Way to Stay Safe at Work | Category 1: Best Marketing and Communications on COVID-19 | Print Media | Group 4 - Business member |
| Transdev North America | We're Still in this Together | Category 1: Best Marketing and Communications on COVID-19 | Electronic Media | Group 4 - Business member |
| Siemens Mobility, Inc. | Siemens Mobility Solutions Brochure | Category 2: Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Print Media | Group 4 - Business member |
| Siemens Mobility, Inc. | Siemens S700 LRV Virtual Tour featuring ADA Accessibility Video to Support Ridership and Sales | Category 2: Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Social Media | Group 4 - Business member |
| Snohomish County Public Transportation Benefit Area Corporation (dba Community Transit) | Community Transit's Videos to Recruit Coach Operators for Workforce Development | Category 3: Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Electronic Media | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Snohomish County Public Transportation Benefit Area Corporation (dba Community Transit) | Community Transit's Campaign to Recruit Coach Operators for Workforce Development | Category 3: Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority(SORTA)/Metro | Metro Operator Recruiting Campaign | Category 4: Best Marketing and Communications to Highlight Transit Needs/Funding | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority | MARTA Holiday Customer Appreciation Events | Category 2: Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Special Event | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Butler County Regional Transit Authority | Butler County RTA Workforce Development | Category 3: Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Shoestring Tactic | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority | MARTA Heroes – Recruitment Video Campaign | Category 4: Best Marketing and Communications to Highlight Transit Needs/Funding | Electronic Media | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART) | HART Campaign for Launch of Fare Payment System - Flamingo Fares | Category 2: Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Cubic Transportation Systems | 2021 Brand Launch: Get to Know Umo! | Category 2: Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 4 - Business member |
| Foothill Transit | Foothill Transit COVID-19 Social Videos to Promote COVID Safety | Category 1: Best Marketing and Communications on COVID-19 | Social Media | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Optibus Inc. | Bus Driver Shortage Music Video | Category 3: Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Social Media | Group 4 - Business member |
| Siemens Mobility, Inc. | Siemens Mobility Comprehensive Campaign to Promote Infrastructure Funding and Investment | Category 4: Best Marketing and Communications to Highlight Transit Needs/Funding | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 4 - Business member |
| Dallas Area Rapid Transit | DART 2021 Student Art Contest | Category 3: Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Special Event | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada | RTC Partnership to Provide School Transportation | Category 4: Best Marketing and Communications to Highlight Transit Needs/Funding | Partnership | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Regional Transportation District | Take a Trip | Category 2: Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Electronic Media | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Transit app | Data-driven, equitable communications strategies for transit agencies | Category 3: Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Electronic Media | Group 4 - Business member |
| Jacksonville Transportation Authority | Covid-19 videos | Category 1: Best Marketing and Communications on COVID-19 | Electronic Media | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Greenville Transit Authority | Transit is Essential – Greenville, SC | Category 3: Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Partnership | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| Edmonton Transit Service | Edmonton Transit Service Bus Network Redesign and On Demand Transit Implementation | Category 3: Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| LAKETRAN | Laketran's advocacy effort to reverse a 90% state funding cut | Category 4: Best Marketing and Communications to Highlight Transit Needs/Funding | Shoestring Tactic | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| Transdev North America | Vaccine Encouragement Campaign | Category 1: Best Marketing and Communications on COVID-19 | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 4 - Business member |
| Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority | PSTA Hosts Media Day to Hire More Bus Operators | Category 4: Best Marketing and Communications to Highlight Transit Needs/Funding | Special Event | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Milwaukee County Transit System | MCTS Creates Human Trafficking Campaign for Bus Operators and Bus Riders to Identify Victims | Category 3: Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Shoestring Tactic | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Go Triangle | GoTriangle Operator Respect Campaign | Category 3: Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| OMNITRANS | Hispanic Campaign Reaches Key Ridership Segment: Spanish Speakers | Category 2: Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Social Media | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada | RTC Campaign Providing Transit to Covid-19 Vaccination Locations | Category 1: Best Marketing and Communications on COVID-19 | Partnership | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Trinity Metro | Trinity Metro TEXRail Billboard Campaign | Category 2: Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Print Media | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Societe de transport de Montreal | STM - Historic one-year anniversary of the pandemic - Shoestring tactic | Category 1: Best Marketing and Communications on COVID-19 | Shoestring Tactic | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| HDR | Lowcountry Rapid Transit – Equitable and Inclusive Transit, Video Series | Category 4: Best Marketing and Communications to Highlight Transit Needs/Funding | Electronic Media | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| VIA Metropolitan Transit | It's So Easy Campaign | Category 2: Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Foothill Transit | Foothill Transit Safety Month Social Video to Promote Bus Safety | Category 3: Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Social Media | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Santa Clarita Transit | Santa Clarita Transit - Holiday Light Tour | Category 1: Best Marketing and Communications on COVID-19 | Special Event | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| LYNX - Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority | LYNX Air Purification System: Crafted for Our Riders for Assurance and Peace of Mind | Category 1: Best Marketing and Communications on COVID-19 | Electronic Media | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Sacramento Regional Transit District | Contactless Fare Payment on Light Rail | Category 2: Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Partnership | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Foothill Transit | Foothill Transit Double Deck Bus Social Video to Promote New Double Deck Bus | Category 3: Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Special Event | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Siemens Mobility, Inc. | Siemens Coloring Book to Encourage Awareness in Young and Future Riders | Category 3: Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Print Media | Group 4 - Business member |
| Go Triangle | GoTriangle Greater Triangle Projected Population Growth Animation to increase Commuter Rail Project Awareness | Category 3: Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Electronic Media | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| Sacramento Regional Transit District | Elk Grove Transit Ride-a-long to Promote RydeFreeRT | Category 2: Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Special Event | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Houston Metro) | METRO curb2curb Brochure | Category 2: Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Print Media | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) | Metrolink Partnership to Assist in Vaccination Efforts | Category 1: Best Marketing and Communications on COVID-19 | Partnership | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) | Caltrain: Holiday Transit Yule Log | Category 3: Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Shoestring Tactic | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Salem Area Mass Transit District | Cherriots road equity video, "Share the Road" | Category 3: Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Social Media | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| Link Transit (Chelan-Douglas Public Transportation Benefit Area) | 30 Millionth Rider Celebration | Category 2: Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Special Event | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| Lextran | Lextran COVID-19 Vaccination Encouragement Campaign | Category 1: Best Marketing and Communications on COVID-19 | Shoestring Tactic | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| Eastern Contra Costa Transit Authority | Tri Delta Transit Be Kind to Drivers and Each Other | Category 1: Best Marketing and Communications on COVID-19 | Social Media | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| Foothill Transit | Foothill Transit Business Plan | Category 4: Best Marketing and Communications to Highlight Transit Needs/Funding | Print Media | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| AC Transit (Alameda Contra-Costa Transit District) | AC Transit - Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking | Category 3: Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Partnership | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority | “No Place for Hate” Campaign | Category 3: Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Electronic Media | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Link Transit (Chelan-Douglas Public Transportation Benefit Area) | Link Transit Electrification Ribbon Cutting & Transportation Summit | Category 4: Best Marketing and Communications to Highlight Transit Needs/Funding | Special Event | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| Kansas City Area Transportation Authority | KCATA teams with local hospital to provide transportation for COVID-19 vaccinations | Category 1: Best Marketing and Communications on COVID-19 | Special Event | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| GoDurham Transit | GoDurham Comic Activity Book to Celebrate Free Comic Book Day | Category 3: Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Print Media | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Houston Metro) | Super Duty Series | Category 4: Best Marketing and Communications to Highlight Transit Needs/Funding | Social Media | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| ETA Transit Systems | 2021 Transit Agency Survey | Category 3: Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Shoestring Tactic | Group 4 - Business member |
| Spokane Transit Authority | Behind the Scenes – City Line Vehicles Are Arriving! (Video) | Category 3: Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Shoestring Tactic | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Ben Franklin Transit | Sunday Service Print Campaign | Category 2: Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Print Media | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| Milwaukee County Transit System | MCTS BRT Groundbreaking Event Brings Together Key Stakeholders for Project Milestone | Category 4: Best Marketing and Communications to Highlight Transit Needs/Funding | Special Event | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Spokane Transit Authority | Behind the Scenes – Get Ready For Summer Pass Video | Category 2: Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Shoestring Tactic | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Dallas Area Rapid Transit | DART Redesign of Rider Information Pieces and Bus Stop Signs to Educate Riders | Category 3: Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Print Media | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| LYNX - Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority | LYNX Social Media Content to Increase User Engagement | Category 3: Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Social Media | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| TransLoc Inc. | USD Multimodal Transit Ecosystem Paves the Way for Mobility Access | Category 3: Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Partnership | Group 4 - Business member |
| Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (WHEELS) | Valley Link - A Transformative Transit Project | Category 4: Best Marketing and Communications to Highlight Transit Needs/Funding | Print Media | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| Trinity Metro | Trinity Metro ZIPZONE Video Campaign | Category 2: Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Electronic Media | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Snohomish County Public Transportation Benefit Area Corporation (dba Community Transit) | Community Transit's Print Media to Promote COVID-19 Safety Measures | Category 1: Best Marketing and Communications on COVID-19 | Print Media | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority | Explore Austin | Category 2: Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Partnership | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (WHEELS) | Wheels "Memorial Madden Cruiser" Bus Wrap | Category 3: Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Print Media | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| Kansas City Area Transportation Authority | The White House at RideKC | Category 4: Best Marketing and Communications to Highlight Transit Needs/Funding | Social Media | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Greater Peoria Mass Transit District | CityLink Peoria Electric Bus Unveiling Event 2021 | Category 3: Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Special Event | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| Chapel Hill Transit | Chapel Hill Transit's Campaign to promote safety measures during COVID-19 | Category 1: Best Marketing and Communications on COVID-19 | Shoestring Tactic | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
