2025 AdWheel Awards
The recipients of the 2025 AdWheel Grand Awards imagined and executed compelling campaigns that have increased ridership, boosted sales, recruited and retained transit staff, won funds for agency investments, and earned the public’s trust. These 15 esteemed organizations are drawn from more than 330 entries. They come from five groups: small, medium, large, and mega transit systems, based on annual ridership; and APTA business members.
2025 AdWheel Awards
| System/Business | Entry Title | Group | Category | Subcategory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District | Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District One Ride at a Time Comprehensive | Group 2: Providing more than 3 million but fewer than 15 million annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Comprehensive Campaign |
| Transit app | Transit App Campaign to Get Voters to the Polls | Group 5: Business members | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Electronic Media |
| Transit app | Celebrating the Public Transit Industry with Transit Riders Choice Awards | Group 5: Business members | Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales | Comprehensive Campaign |
| Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County | Get on Board | Group 2: Providing more than 3 million but fewer than 15 million annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales | Social Media |
| Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority | MARTA Celebrates LGBTQ Employees | Group 4: Providing 50 million or more annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Comprehensive Campaign |
| Mountain Line | Mountain Line: passing of Prop 488 | Group 1: Providing 3 million or fewer annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Comprehensive Campaign |
| Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority | CapMetro Recruiting | Group 3: Providing more than 15 million but fewer than 50 million annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Comprehensive Campaign |
| Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority | McKalla Station Launch | Group 3: Providing more than 15 million but fewer than 50 million annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Comprehensive Campaign |
| Community Transit | Community Transit’s Video and Digital Advertising to Recruit Mechanics | Group 2: Providing more than 3 million but fewer than 15 million annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Electronic Media |
| RATP Dev | RATP Dev USA Veteran Recruiting Campaign | Group 5: Business members | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Electronic Media |
| Valley Regional Transit | Valley Regional Transit – Let’s Ride, BOI – Integrated Brand Awareness and Ridership Campaign | Group 1: Providing 3 million or fewer annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales | Comprehensive Campaign |
| Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority | WMATA Better Bus Network Redesign | Group 4: Providing 50 million or more annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Comprehensive Campaign |
| Sound Transit | Sound Transit Light Rail Expansion Campaign to Encourage Awareness/Ridership | Group 3: Providing more than 15 million but fewer than 50 million annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales | Comprehensive Campaign |
| Toronto Transit Commission | Swift Moves: Toronto Transit Commission Comprehensive Campaign to increase Transit Ridership | Group 4: Providing 50 million or more annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales | Comprehensive Campaign |
| San Joaquin Regional Transit District | Operator Recruitment | Group 1: Providing 3 million or fewer annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Print Media |
| System/Business | Entry Title | Group | Category | Subcategory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lowcountry Regional Transportation Authority dba Palmetto Breeze | “Bluffton State of Mind” Bus Wrap | Group 1: Providing 3 million or fewer annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales | Special Event |
| Stacy Witbeck, Inc. | $50K in Sales in 90 Days: At-Seat Ordering Campaign | Group 5: Business members | Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales | Special Event |
| Keolis North America | “ust Take the Train” Campaign | Group 3: Providing more than 15 million but fewer than 50 million annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales | Electronic Media |
| Sacramento Regional Transit District | “SacRT Heroes” campaign poster | Group 3: Providing more than 15 million but fewer than 50 million annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Print Media |
| AC Transit (Alameda Contra-Costa Transit District) | AC Transit Automated Citation Videos | Group 3: Providing more than 15 million but fewer than 50 million annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Electronic Media |
| AC Transit (Alameda Contra-Costa Transit District) | AC Transit New Bus Operator Social Media Posts | Group 3: Providing more than 15 million but fewer than 50 million annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Social Media |
| AC Transit (Alameda Contra-Costa Transit District) | AC Transit Zero Emission Bus University Video | Group 3: Providing more than 15 million but fewer than 50 million annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Electronic Media |
| San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) | BART’s SweaterFest Event | Group 4: Providing 50 million or more annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales | Special Event |
| Broward County Transportation Department | Broward County Transit: Earth Month Community Enrichment Program to Educate on the Electric Bus Initiative | Group 3: Providing more than 15 million but fewer than 50 million annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Special Event |
| Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority | CapMetro Recruiting | Group 3: Providing more than 15 million but fewer than 50 million annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Comprehensive Campaign |
| Transit app | Celebrating the Public Transit Industry with Transit’s Riders Choice Awards | Group 5: Business members | Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales | Comprehensive Campaign |
| Community Transit | Community Transit’s Print Media to Promote New Transit Network | Group 2: Providing more than 3 million but fewer than 15 million annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales | Print Media |
| Community Transit | Community Transit’s Rick Steves Video Series to Promote Awareness and Ridership | Group 2: Providing more than 3 million but fewer than 15 million annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales | Electronic Media |
| Community Transit | Community Transit’s Video and Digital Advertising to Recruit Mechanics | Group 2: Providing more than 3 million but fewer than 15 million annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Electronic Media |
| Complete Coach Works | Complete Coach Works: Revving Up Sales with Refurbishment Excellence | Group 5: Business members | Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales | Print Media |
| Core Transit | Core Transit Launches Operator Waitlist | Group 1: Providing 3 million or fewer annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Comprehensive Campaign |
| Rock Island County Metropolitan Mass Transit District (MetroLink) | Decennial Report | Group 1: Providing 3 million or fewer annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Print Media |
| San Joaquin Regional Transit District | Employee Appreciation Event | Group 1: Providing 3 million or fewer annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Special Event |
| Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) | En Route With MVTA Campaign to Increase Ridership | Group 1: Providing 3 million or fewer annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales | Social Media |
| Foothill Transit | Foothill Transit Class Pass Campaign to Increase Student Ridership | Group 2: Providing more than 3 million but fewer than 15 million annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales | Comprehensive Campaign |
| RTC Washoe County | Get on Board | Group 2: Providing more than 3 million but fewer than 15 million annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales | Social Media |
| GoRaleigh | GoRaleigh State Fair Shuttle | Group 2: Providing more than 3 million but fewer than 15 million annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales | Special Event |
| San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) | Grandparents on BART Social Media Series | Group 4: Providing 50 million or more annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales | Social Media |
| Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Houston Metro) | Gulfton Circulator Promotion | Group 4: Providing 50 million or more annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Print Media |
| HNTB Corporation | HNTB 5-Star Comprehensive Campaign | Group 5: Business members | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Comprehensive Campaign |
| Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Houston Metro) | HR Testimonial TV | Group 4: Providing 50 million or more annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Electronic Media |
| UZURV | JTA and UZURV Campaign – Accessibility-first Marketing: Creating an inclusive experience for JTA Connexion Plus riders | Group 5: Business members | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Comprehensive Campaign |
| Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority | LA Metro Building a Strong Workforce: Faces of the Workforce | Group 4: Providing 50 million or more annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Social Media |
| Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority | LA Metro Bus and Rail Service Changes, But Make it Social | Group 4: Providing 50 million or more annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Social Media |
| Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority | LA Metro ‘Color Your Ride’ Summer Advertising Campaign | Group 4: Providing 50 million or more annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales | Print Media |
| Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority | LA Metro GoPass Back to School Ridership Campaign | Group 4: Providing 50 million or more annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales | Electronic Media |
| Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) | LA28 Olympics Collaboration | Group 2: Providing more than 3 million but fewer than 15 million annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Social Media |
| Lane Transit District | Lane Transit District: State of the District | Group 2: Providing more than 3 million but fewer than 15 million annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Special Event |
| Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) | Make This City Move Campaign | Group 2: Providing more than 3 million but fewer than 15 million annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Comprehensive Campaign |
| Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority | MARTA Celebrates LGBTQ Employees | Group 4: Providing 50 million or more annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Comprehensive Campaign |
| Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority | McKalla Station Launch | Group 3: Providing more than 15 million but fewer than 50 million annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Comprehensive Campaign |
| Niagara Frontier Transit Metro System, Inc. | Meet Metro! | Group 2: Providing more than 3 million but fewer than 15 million annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Social Media |
| Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority(SORTA)/Metro | Metro – Your Way to Go | Group 2: Providing more than 3 million but fewer than 15 million annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales | Electronic Media |
| Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority(SORTA)/Metro | Metro is Driving Change in Hamilton County | Group 2: Providing more than 3 million but fewer than 15 million annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Electronic Media |
| Orange County Transportation Authority | Metrolink Lunar New Year Event | Group 3: Providing more than 15 million but fewer than 50 million annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales | Special Event |
| Mountain Line | Mountain Line: passing of Prop 488 | Group 1: Providing 3 million or fewer annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Comprehensive Campaign |
| San Joaquin Regional Transit District | Operator Recruitment | Group 1: Providing 3 million or fewer annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Print Media |
| RATP Dev | RATP Dev USA Destination Spotlights | Group 5: Business members | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Social Media |
| RATP Dev | RATP Dev USA Safety Coloring Book | Group 5: Business members | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Print Media |
| RATP Dev | RATP Dev USA Veteran Recruiting Campaign | Group 5: Business members | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Electronic Media |
| Mid-Region Council of Governments | Rio Metro Video Seniors 60+ Ride Free on Wednesday | Group 1: Providing 3 million or fewer annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales | Electronic Media |
| Mid-Region Council of Governments | Rio Metro Videos-A Region In Motion | Group 1: Providing 3 million or fewer annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Electronic Media |
| San Joaquin Regional Transit District | Rosa Parks Bus Wrap | Group 1: Providing 3 million or fewer annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Special Event |
| Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority | RTA Family Fun Day Roadeo | Group 2: Providing more than 3 million but fewer than 15 million annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Special Event |
| Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada | RTC Southern Nevada Maryland Parkway BRT Groundbreaking | Group 4: Providing 50 million or more annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Special Event |
| Regional Transportation District | RTD How to Ride video | Group 4: Providing 50 million or more annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Electronic Media |
| Exemplifi LLC | San Francisco Bay Ferry Website Modernization: Boosting Ridership with Modern Tech, Accessibility, and Nostalgic Design | Group 5: Business members | Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales | Electronic Media |
| Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District | Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District One Ride at a Time Comprehensive | Group 2: Providing more than 3 million but fewer than 15 million annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Comprehensive Campaign |
| Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District | Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District One Ride at a Time Print Media | Group 2: Providing more than 3 million but fewer than 15 million annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Print Media |
| Siemens Mobility, Inc. – New York, NY | Siemens Mobility Campaign to Announce North America’s First True High-Speed Rail Production Facility | Group 5: Business members | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Comprehensive Campaign |
| Sound Transit | Social Media campaign: Lynnwood Link #SnoCo #1Line | Group 3: Providing more than 15 million but fewer than 50 million annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales | Social Media |
| Solano County Transit (SolTrans) | SolTrans Youth Ride Free Pilot | Group 1: Providing 3 million or fewer annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales | Print Media |
| Sound Transit | Sound Transit Light Rail Expansion Campaign to Encourage Awareness/Ridership | Group 3: Providing more than 15 million but fewer than 50 million annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales | Comprehensive Campaign |
| Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority | Spilling the T Podcast | Group 4: Providing 50 million or more annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Electronic Media |
| Toronto Transit Commission | Swift Moves: Toronto Transit Commission Comprehensive Campaign to increase Transit Ridership | Group 4: Providing 50 million or more annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales | Comprehensive Campaign |
| Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) | TARTA – Day in the Life of a Team TARTA member | Group 1: Providing 3 million or fewer annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Electronic Media |
| Icomera | The Well-Rounded Employee Initiative: Cross-Discipline Workforce Development | Group 5: Business members | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Special Event |
| Transit app | Transit App Campaign to Get Voters to the Polls | Group 5: Business members | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Electronic Media |
| Central Contra Costa Transit Authority | Transit Driver Appreciation Day | Group 1: Providing 3 million or fewer annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Social Media |
| Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority | Transit Land Game | Group 3: Providing more than 15 million but fewer than 50 million annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Print Media |
| Valley Regional Transit | Valley Regional Transit – Let’s Ride, BOI – Integrated Brand Awareness and Ridership Campaign | Group 1: Providing 3 million or fewer annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales | Comprehensive Campaign |
| Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority | VTA Social Media Campaign to attract feedback on the 2025 Draft Transit Service Plan | Group 3: Providing more than 15 million but fewer than 50 million annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Social Media |
| Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority | VTA Trex-Mas Holiday Wrap | Group 3: Providing more than 15 million but fewer than 50 million annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales | Print Media |
| Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) | WMATA Better Bus Network Redesign | Group 4: Providing 50 million or more annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Comprehensive Campaign |
| Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) | WMATA Fleet of the Future Expo | Group 4: Providing 50 million or more annual passenger trips | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Special Event |