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/Business | Entry Title | Category | Subcategory | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC Transit (Alameda Contra-Costa Transit District) | AC Transit 62nd Anniversary Crown | Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Print Media | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| AC Transit (Alameda Contra-Costa Transit District) | AC Transit Bus Bracket Challenge | Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Social Media | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| AC Transit (Alameda Contra-Costa Transit District) | AC Transit Recruitment Spot | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Electronic Media | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority | It's a Thing Around Here | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Ventura County Transportation Commission | ¡Buenas con VCTC! A Spanish Outreach Campaign from Ventura County Transportation Commission | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Social Media | Group 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 Sales | Social Media | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) | Make This City Move | Recruitment Campaign | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Social Media | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) | Educational Pass Program | Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Partnership | Group 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 Report | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Print Media | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| Complete Coach Works | Tik Tok #BusRehabChallenge | Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Print Media | Group 4 - Business member |
| Connecticut Department of Transportation | CTDOT Customer Experience Action Plan | Best Marketing and Communications to Highlight Transit Needs/Funding | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority | CCRTA Buc Days Parade Bus Wrap | Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Print Media | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority | 2022 Employee Appreciation Day | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Special Event | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| C-TRAN | C-TRAN - Ridgefield Raptors partnership | Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Partnership | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| C-TRAN | C-TRAN - hiring campaign | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Electronic Media | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| C-TRAN | C-TRAN - Last Stop on Market school event | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Shoestring Tactic | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority - DART | DART Gen Z Ridership Campaign | Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| Embark | The Road Map – EMBARK’s Employee-driven Transformation Plan | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| GoMedia, an Equans Company | Making Journeys More Accessible for the Hearing-Impaired Passenger | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Electronic Media | Group 4 - Business member |
| Foothill Transit | Foothill Transit March Madness Social Campaign | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Social Media | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority | Greater Dayton RTA - Proudly Serving Fleet | Best Marketing and Communications to Highlight Transit Needs/Funding | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART) | HART Takes You There Video | Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Electronic Media | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART) | Black History Month - Health & Wellness | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Link Transit (Chelan-Douglas Public Transportation Benefit Area) | Link Transit Supergraphics Project | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Electronic Media | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (WHEELS) | Wheels "Memorial Madden Cruiser" | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Partnership | Group 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" Event | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Special Event | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (WHEELS) | Wheels Bus Operator Recruitment - Print Media | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Print Media | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| Lowcountry Regional Transportation Authority dba Palmetto Breeze | Breeze Trolley ROCKS! -- LRTA's "Ride & Find" Painted Rock Adventure - Special Event | Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Special Event | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| LYNX - Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority | 2022 Special Olympics (WWE, LYNX, and Special Olympics) | Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Shoestring Tactic | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Maryland Transit Administration | MARYLAND TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION WORKFORCE RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Shoestring Tactic | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Maryland Transit Administration | MARYLAND TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION DIVERSITY CAMPAIGN | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Print Media | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority | BRT Education Video Series | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Electronic Media | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Houston Metro) | Super Duty Jobs | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Social Media | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Mid-Region Council of Governments | Rio Metro RTD Human Trafficking Awareness Campaign | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| Mid-Region Council of Governments | Rio Metro RTD Seniors 60+ Ride Free on Wednesdays | Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Electronic Media | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| Milwaukee County Transit System | 2022 MCTS Recruitment Campaign | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority | Game Day Express | Best Marketing and Communications to Highlight Transit Needs/Funding | Partnership | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| OC Transpo/City of Ottawa | OC 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 Initiative | Partnership | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Pace Suburban Bus | Pace Suburban Bus - Gas Prices | Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Palm Tran | Palm Tran Annual Report 2021 to Showcase our Accomplishments | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Print Media | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority | PSTA'S Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Artist Bus Wrap Contest | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Partnership | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority | Riders Committee Meeting to Advocate for New Transit Terminal | Best Marketing and Communications to Highlight Transit Needs/Funding | Special Event | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority | PSTA Career Fair | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Special Event | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority | PSTA's Countdown to SunRunner! | Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Print Media | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Regional Transportation District | RTD Campaign to demonstrate our relationship to our communities, our relevance to those we serve, and our connectivity to Colorado | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Social Media | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| RideCo Inc. | MCT On Demand campaign to grow on-demand transit ridership | Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 4 - Business member |
| Sacramento Regional Transit District | SacRT Citizens Transit Academy | Best Marketing and Communications to Highlight Transit Needs/Funding | Shoestring Tactic | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Salem Area Mass Transit District | Youth Zero Bus Pass Program | Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Shoestring Tactic | Group 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 Outreach | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) | BART's 50th Anniversary Birthday Party & Family Fun Festival | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Special Event | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority | VTA Summer Youth Pass | Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Partnership | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Siemens Mobility, Inc. | Siemens Mobility 2022 Family Day | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Special Event | Group 4 - Business member |
| Siemens Mobility, Inc. | Siemens Mobility High Speed Rail Comprehensive Campaign | Best Marketing and Communications to Highlight Transit Needs/Funding | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 4 - Business member |
| Siemens Mobility, Inc. | Siemens Mobility California Mobility Banner. Build for excellence. Built with pride. | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Print Media | Group 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 Program | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Shoestring Tactic | Group 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 Recruitment | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | 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 Swift Orange Line Groundbreaking Event | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Special Event | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Societe de transport de Montreal | Inclusion awareness day | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Shoestring Tactic | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority (TransLink) | Ride & Shine Campaign to build discretionary ridership | Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Metrolink (SCRRA) | Metrolink Campaign to Support Ridership: Customer Appreciation Day | Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Special Event | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Spokane Transit Authority | How To Ride STA Video | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Electronic Media | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Spokane Transit Authority | STA Connect Commercials | Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Shoestring Tactic | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) | SMART 25+ Bus Wrap | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Print Media | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Transdev | First Transit Campaign to recruit, retain and highlight our diverse workforce | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 4 - Business member |
| Transit app | Rate-My-Ride: real-time rider feedback | Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Electronic Media | Group 4 - Business member |
| TransLoc Inc. | TransLoc Recruiting Social Media | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Social Media | Group 4 - Business member |
| Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) | New TriMet.org website | Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Electronic Media | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) | Frequent Express (FX) Grand Opening Celebration | Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Special Event | Group 3 - Greater than 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Trinity Metro | Trinity Metro Campaign to Increase Ridership and Grow Brand Awareness | Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 2 - Between 4 million and 20 million annual passenger trips |
| Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation | A Gift to Virginians: Virginia Breeze | Best Marketing and Communications to Support Ridership or Sales | Social Media | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
| Western Reserve Transit Authority | WRTA's Holiday Lights Campaign to bring awareness of local non-profits and what they do for the community | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Special Event | Group 1 - Less than 4 million annual passenger trips |
