APTA is pleased to recognize the First Place winners of its 2023 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.
System/BusinessEntry TitleCategorySubcategoryGroup
AC Transit (Alameda Contra-Costa Transit District)AC Transit 62nd Anniversary CrownBest Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or SalesPrint MediaGroup 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips
AC Transit (Alameda Contra-Costa Transit District)AC Transit Bus Bracket ChallengeBest Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or SalesSocial MediaGroup 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips
AC Transit (Alameda Contra-Costa Transit District)AC Transit Recruitment SpotBest Marketing and Communications on Workforce DevelopmentElectronic MediaGroup 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips
Capital Metropolitan Transportation AuthorityIt's a Thing Around HereBest Marketing and Communications on Workforce DevelopmentComprehensive CampaignGroup 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips
Ventura County Transportation Commission¡Buenas con VCTC! A Spanish Outreach Campaign from Ventura County Transportation CommissionBest Marketing and Communications Educational InitiativeSocial MediaGroup 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips
Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA)"Rolling Forward" and "On the Line"Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or SalesSocial MediaGroup 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips
Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA)Make This City Move | Recruitment CampaignBest Marketing and Communications on Workforce DevelopmentSocial MediaGroup 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips
Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA)Educational Pass ProgramBest Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or SalesPartnershipGroup 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips
Central Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (dba rabbittransit)“Mobility: The Fabric of Our Community” 2021-2022 rabbittransit Annual ReportBest Marketing and Communications Educational InitiativePrint MediaGroup 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips
Complete Coach WorksTik Tok #BusRehabChallengeBest Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or SalesPrint MediaGroup 4 - Business member
Connecticut Department of TransportationCTDOT Customer Experience Action PlanBest Marketing and Communications to Highlight Transit Needs/FundingComprehensive CampaignGroup 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips
Corpus Christi Regional Transportation AuthorityCCRTA Buc Days Parade Bus WrapBest Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or SalesPrint MediaGroup 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips
Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority2022 Employee Appreciation DayBest Marketing and Communications on Workforce DevelopmentSpecial EventGroup 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips
C-TRANC-TRAN - Ridgefield Raptors partnershipBest Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or SalesPartnershipGroup 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips
C-TRANC-TRAN - hiring campaignBest Marketing and Communications on Workforce DevelopmentElectronic MediaGroup 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips
C-TRANC-TRAN - Last Stop on Market school eventBest Marketing and Communications Educational InitiativeShoestring TacticGroup 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips
Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority - DARTDART Gen Z Ridership CampaignBest Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or SalesComprehensive CampaignGroup 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips
EmbarkThe Road Map – EMBARK’s Employee-driven Transformation PlanBest Marketing and Communications on Workforce DevelopmentComprehensive CampaignGroup 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips
GoMedia, an Equans CompanyMaking Journeys More Accessible for the Hearing-Impaired PassengerBest Marketing and Communications Educational InitiativeElectronic MediaGroup 4 - Business member
Foothill TransitFoothill Transit March Madness Social CampaignBest Marketing and Communications Educational InitiativeSocial MediaGroup 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips
Greater Dayton Regional Transit AuthorityGreater Dayton RTA - Proudly Serving FleetBest Marketing and Communications to Highlight Transit Needs/FundingComprehensive CampaignGroup 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips
Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART)HART Takes You There VideoBest Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or SalesElectronic MediaGroup 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips
Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART)Black History Month - Health & WellnessBest Marketing and Communications Educational InitiativeComprehensive CampaignGroup 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips
Link Transit (Chelan-Douglas Public Transportation Benefit Area)Link Transit Supergraphics ProjectBest Marketing and Communications Educational InitiativeElectronic MediaGroup 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips
Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (WHEELS)Wheels "Memorial Madden Cruiser"Best Marketing and Communications Educational InitiativePartnershipGroup 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips
Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (WHEELS)Wheels "Memorial Madden Cruiser" at "One More Monday Night in Oakland" EventBest Marketing and Communications Educational InitiativeSpecial EventGroup 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips
Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (WHEELS)Wheels Bus Operator Recruitment - Print MediaBest Marketing and Communications on Workforce DevelopmentPrint MediaGroup 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips
Lowcountry Regional Transportation Authority dba Palmetto BreezeBreeze Trolley ROCKS! -- LRTA's "Ride & Find" Painted Rock Adventure - Special EventBest Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or SalesSpecial EventGroup 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips
LYNX - Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority2022 Special Olympics (WWE, LYNX, and Special Olympics)Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or SalesShoestring TacticGroup 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips
Maryland Transit AdministrationMARYLAND TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION WORKFORCE RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGNBest Marketing and Communications on Workforce DevelopmentShoestring TacticGroup 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips
Maryland Transit AdministrationMARYLAND TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION DIVERSITY CAMPAIGNBest Marketing and Communications Educational InitiativePrint MediaGroup 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit AuthorityBRT Education Video SeriesBest Marketing and Communications Educational InitiativeElectronic MediaGroup 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Houston Metro)Super Duty JobsBest Marketing and Communications on Workforce DevelopmentSocial MediaGroup 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips
Mid-Region Council of GovernmentsRio Metro RTD Human Trafficking Awareness CampaignBest Marketing and Communications Educational InitiativeComprehensive CampaignGroup 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips
Mid-Region Council of GovernmentsRio Metro RTD Seniors 60+ Ride Free on WednesdaysBest Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or SalesElectronic MediaGroup 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips
Milwaukee County Transit System2022 MCTS Recruitment CampaignBest Marketing and Communications on Workforce DevelopmentComprehensive CampaignGroup 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips
Niagara Frontier Transportation AuthorityGame Day ExpressBest Marketing and Communications to Highlight Transit Needs/FundingPartnershipGroup 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips
OC Transpo/City of OttawaOC Transpo’s Travel Training Program featured in The Way We Move: Transporting Stories Online Series (presented by UITP, and produced by BBC StoryWorks Commerical Productions)Best Marketing and Communications Educational InitiativePartnershipGroup 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips
Pace Suburban BusPace Suburban Bus - Gas PricesBest Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or SalesComprehensive CampaignGroup 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips
Palm TranPalm Tran Annual Report 2021 to Showcase our AccomplishmentsBest Marketing and Communications Educational InitiativePrint MediaGroup 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips
Pinellas Suncoast Transit AuthorityPSTA'S Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Artist Bus Wrap ContestBest Marketing and Communications Educational InitiativePartnershipGroup 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips
Pinellas Suncoast Transit AuthorityRiders Committee Meeting to Advocate for New Transit TerminalBest Marketing and Communications to Highlight Transit Needs/FundingSpecial EventGroup 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips
Pinellas Suncoast Transit AuthorityPSTA Career FairBest Marketing and Communications on Workforce DevelopmentSpecial EventGroup 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips
Pinellas Suncoast Transit AuthorityPSTA's Countdown to SunRunner!Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or SalesPrint MediaGroup 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips
Regional Transportation DistrictRTD Campaign to demonstrate our relationship to our communities, our relevance to those we serve, and our connectivity to ColoradoBest Marketing and Communications Educational InitiativeSocial MediaGroup 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips
RideCo Inc.MCT On Demand campaign to grow on-demand transit ridershipBest Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or SalesComprehensive CampaignGroup 4 - Business member
Sacramento Regional Transit DistrictSacRT Citizens Transit AcademyBest Marketing and Communications to Highlight Transit Needs/FundingShoestring TacticGroup 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips
Salem Area Mass Transit DistrictYouth Zero Bus Pass ProgramBest Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or SalesShoestring TacticGroup 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips
San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART)San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) 50th Anniversary Community OutreachBest Marketing and Communications Educational InitiativeComprehensive CampaignGroup 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips
San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART)BART's 50th Anniversary Birthday Party & Family Fun FestivalBest Marketing and Communications Educational InitiativeSpecial EventGroup 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips
Santa Clara Valley Transportation AuthorityVTA Summer Youth PassBest Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or SalesPartnershipGroup 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips
Siemens Mobility, Inc.Siemens Mobility 2022 Family DayBest Marketing and Communications on Workforce DevelopmentSpecial EventGroup 4 - Business member
Siemens Mobility, Inc.Siemens Mobility High Speed Rail Comprehensive CampaignBest Marketing and Communications to Highlight Transit Needs/FundingComprehensive CampaignGroup 4 - Business member
Siemens Mobility, Inc.Siemens Mobility California Mobility Banner. Build for excellence. Built with pride.Best Marketing and Communications Educational InitiativePrint MediaGroup 4 - Business member
Snohomish County Public Transportation Benefit Area Corporation (dba Community Transit)Community Transit's Blog Series in Support of Van GO Surplus Vehicle Grant ProgramBest Marketing and Communications Educational InitiativeShoestring TacticGroup 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips
Snohomish County Public Transportation Benefit Area Corporation (dba Community Transit)Community Transit's Video Series in Support of Mechanic RecruitmentBest Marketing and Communications on Workforce DevelopmentElectronic MediaGroup 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips
Snohomish County Public Transportation Benefit Area Corporation (dba Community Transit)Community Transit's Swift Orange Line Groundbreaking EventBest Marketing and Communications Educational InitiativeSpecial EventGroup 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips
Societe de transport de MontrealInclusion awareness dayBest Marketing and Communications Educational InitiativeShoestring TacticGroup 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority (TransLink)Ride & Shine Campaign to build discretionary ridershipBest Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or SalesComprehensive CampaignGroup 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips
Metrolink (SCRRA)Metrolink Campaign to Support Ridership: Customer Appreciation DayBest Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or SalesSpecial EventGroup 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips
Spokane Transit AuthorityHow To Ride STA VideoBest Marketing and Communications Educational InitiativeElectronic MediaGroup 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips
Spokane Transit AuthoritySTA Connect CommercialsBest Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or SalesShoestring TacticGroup 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips
Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART)SMART 25+ Bus WrapBest Marketing and Communications on Workforce DevelopmentPrint MediaGroup 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips
TransdevFirst Transit Campaign to recruit, retain and highlight our diverse workforceBest Marketing and Communications on Workforce DevelopmentComprehensive CampaignGroup 4 - Business member
Transit appRate-My-Ride: real-time rider feedbackBest Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or SalesElectronic MediaGroup 4 - Business member
TransLoc Inc.TransLoc Recruiting Social MediaBest Marketing and Communications on Workforce DevelopmentSocial MediaGroup 4 - Business member
Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet)New TriMet.org websiteBest Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or SalesElectronic MediaGroup 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips
Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet)Frequent Express (FX) Grand Opening CelebrationBest Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or SalesSpecial EventGroup 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips
Trinity MetroTrinity Metro Campaign to Increase Ridership and Grow Brand AwarenessBest Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or SalesComprehensive CampaignGroup 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips
Virginia Department of Rail and Public TransportationA Gift to Virginians: Virginia BreezeBest Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or SalesSocial MediaGroup 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips
Western Reserve Transit AuthorityWRTA's Holiday Lights Campaign to bring awareness of local non-profits and what they do for the communityBest Marketing and Communications Educational InitiativeSpecial EventGroup 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips