Bus Safety, Security, Emergency Management and Safe, Effective, and Clean Transit Excellence Awards

Bus Awards – Gold

Award: Bus Safety

• North County Transit–San Diego Railroad, San Diego, California – More than 3 million and fewer than 15 million passenger trips annually
  • North County Transit’s Hazard Q-R Code Reporting Program transformed safety for the agency. Hazard reports jumped from just one in 2023… to forty-six in 2024, driving a 75% reduction in employee injuries on Breeze bus service.
• San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), San Diego, California – More than 50 million passenger trips annually
  • M-T-S’s “Hot Spots” Bus Safety Program targets repeat accident locations with cinematic video training, drone imagery, and operator-perspective footage. The program reduced preventable collisions and reinforced defensive driving where it matters most.

Award: Bus Security

• GTrans, Gardena, California – Fewer than 3 million passenger trips annually
  • G-Trans implemented de-escalation training, enhanced operator barriers, and targeted law enforcement support. These actions led to a 75% reduction in operator assaults and a 100% elimination of fare-related incidents within just one year, saving the agency an estimated $396,000.
• Southwest Ohio Regional Transportation Authority (SORTA), Cincinnati, Ohio– More than 3 million and fewer than 15 million passenger trips annually
  • Following four major operator assaults in 2023, SORTA [sore-TUH] launched a data-driven security program using Situational Crime Prevention principles. As a result, they achieved zero major physical assaults in 2025 and a 15% overall reduction in operator assaults.
• Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), Baltimore, Maryland – More than 15 million and fewer than 50 million passenger trips annually
  • M-T-A’s ‘Rules of the Ride’ and Rider Code of Conduct set clear standards backed by exclusion authority. These drove monthly operator assaults down from 4.1 to 2.4… with zero aggravated assaults since October 2025.
• Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro), Los Angeles, California – More than 50 million passenger trips annually
  • L-A Metro rapidly designed, procured, and installed fully enclosed operator barriers across its entire 2,100-bus fleet in less than a year. The result? A 50% reduction in operator assaults in 2025, and a 66% reduction in assaults directly against operators behind the barrier.

Award: Bus Emergency Management

• Capital Metro Transportation Authority (CapMetro), Austin, Texas – More than 15 million and fewer than 50 million passenger trips annually
  • During severe weather, CapMetro’s Community Assist program provides a vital lifeline to emergency shelters. With more than 150 trips and 400 passengers moved to safety, they typically reach those in need within 15 minutes.
• Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Washington, D.C. – More than 50 million passenger trips annually
  • WMATA’s workforce-centered program integrates safety into daily operations. They’ve conducted 13 exercises so far in 2026… activated their Emergency Operations Center 26 times… and they train 2,400 personnel in CPR and AED response annually.

Award: Bus Safe, Effective and Clean

• Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST), Monterey, California – Fewer than 3 million passenger trips annually
  • Using their Arc GIS safety dashboard, MST cut summer collisions by one-third and eliminated foot pinch incidents entirely. Pair that with 96% on-time performance and consistently clean buses . . . and you’ve created a gold standard for the rest of our industry.

Bus Awards – Certificates of Merit

Award:  Bus Safety

• Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (CCRTA), Corpus Christi, Texas – More than 3 million and fewer than 15 million passenger trips annually

Award:  Bus Security

• Foothill Transit, West Covina, California – More than 3 million and fewer than 15 million passenger trips annually
• Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Washington, D.C. – More than 50 million passenger trips annually

2025 APTA Bus Safety, Security and Emergency Management Awards

Bus Awards – Gold

Award: Bus Safety

Member Type & Size: Bus Transit System with Fewer than 3 million Passenger Trips Annually

San Joaquin Regional Transportation District (SJRTD), Stockton, California

Award: Bus Safety

Member Type & Size: Bus Transit System with More than 3 million and fewer than 15 million Passenger Trips Annually

Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA), Jacksonville, Florida

Award: Bus Safety

Member Type & Size: Bus Transit System with More than 15 million and fewer than 50 million Passenger Trips Annually

Sacramento Regional Transportation District (SacRT), Sacramento, California

Bus Awards – Certificates of Merit

Award:  Bus Safety

Member Type & Size: Bus Transit Systems with More than 3 million and fewer than 15 million Passenger Trips Annually

Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (CCRTA), Corpus Christi, Texas

Award:  Bus Safety

Member Type & Size: Bus Transit Systems with more than 15 million and fewer than 50 million Passenger Trips Annually

Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), Orange, California

Award: Bus Safety

Member Type & Size: Bus Transit System with more than 50 million Passenger Trips Annually

Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), Toronto, Ontario

Bus Awards – Gold

Award: Bus Security

Member Type & Size: Bus Transit System with fewer than 4 million Passenger Trips Annually

San Joaquin Regional Transportation District (SJRTD), Stockton, California

Award: Bus Security

Member Type & Size: Bus Transit System with more than 3 million and fewer than 15 million Passenger Trips Annually

Foothill Transit, West Covina, California

Award: Bus Security

Member Type & Size: Bus Transit System with more than 50 million Passenger Trips Annually

Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTCSNV), Las Vegas, Nevada

Bus Awards – Certificates of Merit

Award:  Bus Security

Member Type & Size: Bus Transit System with more than 3 million and fewer than 15 million Passenger Trips Annually

Southwest Ohio Regional Transportation Authority (SORTA)/Metro, Cincinnati, Ohio

Bus Awards – Gold

Award: Bus Emergency Management Award

Member Type & Size: Bus Transit System with more than 15 million and fewer than 50 million Passenger Trips Annually

Maryland Transportation Administration (MTA), Baltimore, Maryland

Award: Bus Emergency Management Award

Member Type & Size: Bus Transit System with more than 3 million and fewer than 15 million Passenger Trips Annually

Foothill Transit, West Covina, California

2024 APTA Bus Safety, Security and Emergency Management Awards

Bus Awards – Gold

Award: Bus Safety
Member Type & Size: Bus Transit System with More than 3 million and fewer than 15 million Passenger Trips Annually

Clark County Public Transportation Benefit Area Authority (C-TRAN), Vancouver, Washington

Award: Bus Safety
Member Type & Size: Bus Transit System with More than 15 million and fewer than 50 million Passenger Trips Annually

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), Atlanta, Georgia

Bus Awards – Gold

Award: Bus Security
Member Type & Size: Bus Transit System with more than 3 million and fewer than 15 million Passenger Trips Annually

Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (CCRTA), Corpus Christi, Texas

Award: Bus Security
Member Type & Size: Bus Transit System with more than 15 million and fewer than 50 million Passenger Trips Annually

Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CapMetro), Austin, Texas

Bus Awards – Certificates of Merit
Award: Bus Security
Member Type & Size: Bus Transit System with more than 3 million and fewer than 15 million Passenger Trips Annually

Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation (IndyGo), Indianapolis, Indiana

Bus Awards – Gold
Award: Bus Emergency Management Award
Member Type & Size: Bus Transit System with more than 3 million and fewer than 15 million Passenger Trips Annually

Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (CCRTA), Corpus Christi, Texas

2023 APTA Bus Safety, Security and Emergency Management Awards

Bus Awards – Gold
Award: Bus Safety
Member Type & Size: Bus Transit System with More Than 4 million and Fewer than 20 million Passenger Trips Annually

Pace Suburban Bus (Pace), Arlington Heights, Illinois

In 2020, Pace Suburban Bus put 85 buses into service with pedestrian avoidance technology. While the goal was zero accidents, from 2020 to year-to-date 2023, Pace experienced only one accident involving a bus with the technology. With the growing adoption of dedicated bike lanes and the expansion of pedestrian infrastructure within Pace’s service area, accident-avoidance technology has become more critical. The implementation of the collision avoidance system increased the safety of employees, passengers, bicyclists, and pedestrians and provides bus operators with additional awareness and early warning of potentially dangerous situations which, in turn, allows more time for corrective actions to be taken.

Award: Bus Security
Member Type & Size: Bus Transit System with More than 20 million Passenger Trips Annually

New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJ Transit), Newark, New Jersey

Assaults against public transit workers is an increasing problem for transit agencies across the United States. Assaults against employees can trigger financial, operational, and organizational costs to an agency. The New Jersey Transit Police developed and implemented an in-depth training program titled “De-Escalation Tools for Bus Operators” which instructs operators to curtail situations and alert law enforcement. By de-escalating incidents before they become assaults, NJ Transit is increasing the safety of its employees and passengers. The training is based on the National Transit Institute’s “Assault Awareness and Preparedness for Transit Employees,” and was created through a collaboration with operational employees at the agency. The training is delivered by a court advocate and employees in operations, a model that can be replicated by other transit agencies.

Award: Bus Emergency Management
Member Type & Size: Bus Transit System with More than 20 million Passenger Trips Annually

Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CapMetro), Austin, Texas

In 2020 CapMetro created a full-time emergency preparedness program that included the creation of the CapMetro Emergency Operations Center, which coordinates the agency’s emergency response. In 2022, CapMetro’s new program created 19 emergency response plans and CapMetro is developing 6 more plans as well as revising the agency’s continuity of operations plan. This new program has led to measurable improvements in CapMetro’s response to recent events such as winter storms, and high profile and widely attended special events. Further, emergency preparedness personnel conduct drills and exercises to assess the agency’s capabilities. As a result of these efforts, CapMetro was able to support transit agency system requirements and community needs. This effective program can be seen as a best practice for other agencies looking to create their own emergency management program.

Bus Awards – Certificates of Merit
Award: Bus Security
Member Type & Size: Bus Transit Systems with Fewer than 4 million Passenger Trips Annually

Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (CCRTA), Corpus Christi, Texas

To enhance security at transfer stations, facilities and aboard buses, the Corpus Christi Transportation Authority (CCRTA) increased the number of police officers and security guards deployed at these locations. This tactic led to a sizable decrease in the total number of incidents reported over previous years. By investing in system safety and security, CCRTA is thwarting negative after-effects as well as agency liability and increasing employee wellbeing.

Award: Bus Emergency Management
Member Type & Size: Bus Transit Systems with Fewer than 4 million Passenger Trips Annually

Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (CCRTA), Corpus Christi, Texas

During emergency incidents, the Corpus Christi Transportation Authority (CCRTA) partners with the City of Corpus Christi and the Nueces County’s Emergency Operations Center to facilitate the evacuation of individuals in affected areas. Through close coordination with their partners, CCRTA responds to emergency and non-emergency events in their 846 square mile area of operation. CCRTA’s emergency management program ensures safe and accessible transportation for all residents, in both the Corpus Christi metropolitan and rural service areas.

Award: Bus Safety
Member Type & Size: Bus Transit System with less than 4 Million Passenger Trips Annually

METRO Regional Transport Authority (Metro RTA), Akron, Ohio

To reduce the occurrence of accidents involving buses, and the associated financial costs, METRO RTA enhanced its safety initiatives to reduce the occurrence of speeding by bus operators. To accomplish this, METRO RTA purchased radar guns that allowed for the measurement of the speed of a bus in real time. Bus routes were also adjusted to reflect realistic runtimes and to discourage speeding. Since this initiative was put into operation, fewer dollars have been spent on property damage and personnel claims.

Award: Bus Security
Member Type & Size: Bus Transit System with less than 4 Million Passenger Trips Annually

METRO Regional Transport Authority (Metro RTA), Akron, Ohio

Since the creation of the METRO RTA Transit Police department in 2017, RTA has continued to advance security efforts to decrease incidents on the system. RTA outfitted their fleet of buses with improved camera systems, providing clearer images inside and outside of each bus. Images are shared with surrounding local law enforcement agencies to assist with criminal investigations. Additionally, RTA outfitted all transit officers with body worn cameras. Body worn cameras increase transparency and accountability, decrease civilian complaints, and help de-escalate situations.

Award: Bus Emergency Management
Member Type & Size: Bus Transit System with Greater than 20 million Passenger Trips Annually

Miami-Dade Transit, Miami, Florida

Using a grant from the Department of Homeland Security, Miami-Dade Transit developed a bus familiarization training program for first responders that enhances the effectiveness of their response and increases safety by providing first responders with detailed information on bus composition. The course instructs first responders on what bus apparatuses to stay clear of, such as pressurized natural gas canisters or electrical wiring. The training has received positive feedback from partner agencies. The bus familiarization training can reduce the amount of damage done to a bus during an incident and is necessary to increase safety when adopting newer technologies like all-electric buses.

Bus Safety:

Public Transportation Systems providing more than 20 million annual passenger trips

GOLD – Societe de Transport de Montreal (STM), Montreal, QC, Canada

Recognizing that running a bus network in a city like Montral comes with challenges, the  Société de Transport de Montreal initiated a pilot program evaluating a bus rear-view camera system. Each year STM replaces no less than 3,500 rear view mirrors. STM leveraged collaboration between the departments of bus engineering, road safety, training, operations, and maintenance to provide a rearview camera system to replace the standard side and rear-view mirrors. STM had to confront harsh winter weather, variable road conditions, foggy camera lens and other hurdles through the work of skilled engineers, road safety teams and the extensive testing and recommendations received from members of the driver’s union. This new rear-view  camera system project has the potential to bring major safety improvements in North America and align with best practices in Europe and Asia.

Bus Safety:

Public Transportation systems providing more than 4 million and fewer than 20 million

annual passenger trips

GOLD – Metrolinx (GO Transit), Toronto, ON, Canada

During the pandemic, unequal access to vaccines was identified as a setback in Ontario. People living in rural or remote settings did not have the same level of access to clinics as urban dwellers. To combat this problem, the provincial government created a “last mile strategy.” A key component of this strategy was  Metrolinx’s GO-VAXX buses. Metrolinx GO buses were converted to serve as mobile vaccine clinics to provide vaccines directly to people in the community where they reside. Each bus operated as a fully functioning clinic with supplies and trained personnel onboard. Buses were on the road 6 days a week and consultations with local public health authorities determined the vaccine sites. The GO-VAXX buses helped the province reach its overall percentage target of vaccinated people. Metrolinx also experienced an increase in overall system ridership due to its public outreach. Metrolinx can be proud of their service to the people of Ontario and their contribution to reduce the impact of a world-wide pandemic.

Bus Security:

Public Transportation systems providing more than 4 million and fewer than 20 million

annual passenger trips

GOLD – OmniTrans, San Bernardino, CA

To increase the safety of frontline employees, OmniTrans collaborated with every local law enforcement agency in their 15-city service area to explain a newly adopted agency passenger code of conduct and familiarize these law enforcement partners with OmniTrans facilities, buses, and resources such as camera systems and security alerts. Through the sharing of security alerts, passengers wanted for criminal acts were apprehended or those who committed enumerated violations prevented from boarding buses and accessing OmniTrans property. OmniTrans has experienced a decrease in repeat offender incidents. This initiative has gained employee support. Coach operators, in particular, see a commitment to safety and security. The delivery of this cost-effective measure along with de-escalation training for employees has reduced costs and strengthen partnerships.

Bus Safety: Certificate of Merit – Public Transportation systems providing more than 4 million and fewer than 20 million annual passenger trips

Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation (IndyGo), Indianapolis, IN

The Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation’s stellar approach to reducing preventable accidents and decreasing accident claim payouts, involved a multi- departmental effort. IndyGo reduced preventable accidents by 24%, increased case reporting by 27.8% and boosted reaction time by 55.5%. Coach operators received training and an awareness program that prioritized corrective actions, engineering controls, and safe work procedures was implemented. The accident rate continues to decrease along with passenger and employee injuries.

Bus Security: Certificate of Merit – Public Transportation systems providing more than 4 million and fewer than 20 million annual passenger trips

Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (CCRTA), Corpus Christi, TX

The Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority partnered with local law enforcement agencies to deploy paraphernalia canine units to inspect CCRTA facilities and buses. These canines focus on the elimination of illegal substances from CCRTA facilities. At the beginning of this initiative, paraphernalia was regularly found during inspections. Presently, there is a major decrease in found contraband. These canine checks have been received well by customers, and employees, and create opportunities for law enforcement agencies to familiarize their canine partners with the CCRTA environment.

Bus Awards – Gold

Award: Bus COVID-19

Member Type & Size: Fewer than 4 million passenger trips annually

City of Gardena (GTrans)

At the beginning of the Coronavirus Pandemic, the City of Gardena (GTrans) quickly focused on the wellbeing, health and safety of its staff. Shift schedules were reconfigured due to the reduction in service levels, thus allowing GTrans to keep its workers minimally exposed. GTrans divided full-time workers into two groups: one group completed assignments for a week, while the other would be at home quarantined to ensure minimal exposure. Part-time workers were also placed into groups following the same one week on, one week off rotation. GTrans partnered with the city and emergency personnel teams to distribute PPE kits to its workers, including masks, gloves, and disinfectants. Chains were installed on every other seat in buses to ensure proper distancing was maintained. In addition, barriers were installed to keep riders separate from the operators. GTrans also purchased disinfecting fogging machines to help clean common areas daily and disinfect buses every night. Bus filters were changed out to MERV-13 filters to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. All of these measures, including attaining PPE supplies for operators and implementation of CDC recommendations (from social distancing to mask wearing) were positive steps in keeping operators and riders safe during the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Award: Bus COVID-19

Member Type & Size: More than 4 million and fewer than 20 million passenger trips annually

Metrolinx (GO Transit)

At the beginning of the Coronavirus Pandemic, Metrolinx (GO Transit) ensured that its employees would have access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and would never have to work without the proper protection. The PPE distributed to employees included fabric face coverings, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes. Metrolinx also distributed reminders for social distancing and instructions on proper hand washing techniques. Touch-point cleaning occurred multiple times per day. In the rare event of a positive COVID-19 case, deep cleaning took place to minimize the risk. Barriers were installed on Metrolinx’s buses to keep operators separate from passengers. In addition, the front row of seats were blocked off to give even more space between the operator and passengers. Metrolinx also setup vending machines for customers to buy face coverings. In the event of any positive employee COVID cases, emails would be sent out to keep all workers informed. Overall, Metrolinx’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including cleaning multiple times per day, making PPE readily available to employees and keeping employees informed was ideal in dealing with the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Award: Bus COVID-19

Member Type & Size: More than 20 million passenger trips annually

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro)

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) created several measures that were focused on keeping agency employees safe. A COVID-19 Taskforce was activated to ensure guidelines were being enforced. In addition, LA Metro reviewed pandemic intelligence information and ensured that best practices were being implemented. Further, LA Metro acquired PPE for its employees, which consisted of both reusable and single use masks, face shields, disposable gloves, protective gowns and suits, shoe guards, hand sanitizer and disinfectant spray products approved by the EPA. Rear boarding was implemented on the agency’s buses and safety barriers were installed on all buses. A policy of masks being worn both by the employees and customers was also strictly enforced early on. LA Metro also installed mask dispenser units on all buses and bus terminals along with hand sanitizer stations throughout the system. Since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic, LA Metro has implemented the recommended guidelines and has been on the forefront of health and safety which has paid off in protecting its employees and riders alike.

Award: Bus Safety

Member Type & Size: Fewer than 4 million passenger trips annually

City of Gardena, CA (G-Trans)

The City of Gardena, CA (G-Trans) implemented many safety programs and procedures over the past year. One of these includes the roll out of quarterly safety meetings for all bus operators. These quarterly safety meetings were created to emphasize the agency’s focus on safety as well as to reduce the number of accidents and provide a forum for safety-related information sharing. In addition, G-Trans introduced a Distracted Driving Program, which is an eight-hour training program that highlights defensive driving techniques. Through this program, G-Trans was able to consistently enforce existing policies, including those pertaining to disciple and retention of operators post-preventable accidents. G-Trans’s SMART course was fully implemented recently. This course is required for bus operators and supervisors and will be taking place annually for 8-hours. G-Trans’s implementation of these new safety programs, policies and procedure has greatly improved the overall safety of the agency’s bus operators and customers alike.

Award: Bus Safety

Member Type & Size: More than 4 million and less than 20 million passenger trips annually

METRO Regional Transit Authority

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the METRO Regional Transit Authority installed plexiglass barriers on all buses to help minimalize contact between bus operators and passengers. In addition, METRO conducts quarterly safety campaigns. Topics of these safety campaigns are oriented around the season at the time and common safety incidents in the transit industry, including rear-end collisions, mirror strikes, workplace safety and construction. Further, every two years METRO has bus operators partake in a sensitivity and refresher training, which is scenario-based and includes situational awareness training on the buses. METRO has excelled in keeping bus operators trained on awareness between the difference in common incidents and seasonal incidents. This has helped to keep the operators aware of dangers and inherent hazards on the overall METRO system.

Award: Bus Safety

Member Type & Size: More than 20 million passenger trips annually

The New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJ Transit)

The New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJ Transit) is utilizing the Lytx DriveCam Event Recorder system to monitor the agency’s bus drivers closely and to address any behaviors that could result in an accident before that accident occurs. NJ Transit has put a larger focus on driver training as well as a continuous improvement model in the training of their bus drivers as of late. Since the implementation of this new system, there has been a 70-percent reduction in near collisions from 2010 to 2020. NJ Transit has also been below the national average for more than seven years in regard to the frequency and severity of incidents. With NJ Transit implementing a driver observation method/model, and increasing the focus on training, it has helped improved the safety of NJ Transit’s statewide-bus system.

Award: Bus Safety

Member Type & Size: Private Companies Providing Contracted Service

MTM Transit (Sarasota County)

MTM Transit implemented a safety program to help improve drivers’ abilities while operating vehicles and to prevent unsafe driving. To accomplish this, operators’ dash cameras were reviewed and then provided with a score to rate the safety of operators. The number of incidents at MTM Transit has gone down from over one hundred to just a handful of unsafe incidents over the past year. The agency’s Safety Management System (SMS) was also used to help increase safety by having operators and maintenance workers proactively engaged in the Safety Action Plan. By implementing the SMS and continuing to monitor operators to ensure safe actions are being taken, the overall safety of MTM Transit has been dramatically improved.

Award: Bus Security

Member Type & Size: More than 4 million and less than 20 million passenger trips annually

The METRO Regional Transit Authority has implemented a passenger ban program throughout the system. This has helped to eliminate passengers on buses that cause incidents and trouble. Real-time video surveillance has been installed on METRO buses to allow officers arriving on the scene to have more information and descriptions of the events. In addition, the surveillance system helps to deter security and safety-related incidents from happening on the agency’s buses. Further, monitors were installed on fixed route buses to allow passengers to see what is happening in real-time as well. METRO Regional Transit Authority installing the video surveillance system and allowing the passengers to observe what is happening in real time, along with banning those who break the rules, helps to keep the buses much more safe and secure.

Award: Bus Security

Member Type & Size: More than 20 million passenger trips annually

Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC)

The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) installed and upgraded lighting in over one-thousand bus stop shelters. This project was done to help deter crime throughout the agency’s bus shelters and on the system. Standalone solar powered lights were installed at bus stops where there was no room for a free-standing shelter. In addition, cameras were installed in 2018 on RTC’s buses. This has allowed law enforcement to have a live stream of each bus throughout the system. In 2021, the surveillance systems were upgraded to provide better resolution and to improve video capabilities. By updating the camera systems on buses and installing better lights at the bus stops to help deter crime, RTC has made strides to keep the customers and workers safe.

Bus Awards – Certificates of Merit

Award: Bus COVID-19

Member Type & Size: Fewer than 4 million passenger trips annually

Manatee Country Area Transit

In response to the Coronavirus Pandemic, Manatee Country Area Transit implemented rear-boarding on its buses, obtained PPE for its workers (including operators and mechanics), and conducted daily temperature screenings. Manatee County Area Transit also installed mask dispensers next to the farebox on all buses, for customers to utilize if they did not have a mask with them at the time. Further, plexiglass bio-shield barriers were installed on all transit vehicles to help keep operators safe from exposure to the Coronavirus. In addition, the agency provided cleaning and sanitization equipment to all employees. Manatee County Area Transit’s response to COVID-19 was swift and effective and therefore they are be honored with a certificate of merit for their efforts.

Award: Bus COVID-19

Member Type & Size: More than 4 million and fewer than 20 million passenger trips annually

Palm Tran

During the Coronavirus Pandemic, Palm Tran promoted numerous safety policies, including implementation of a mask mandate, maximum occupancy restrictions, and heightened sanitation/cleaning onboard vehicles. Further, buses are cleaned and disinfected at the beginning and end of all line buses, along with regular spot checks to ensure supplies are well-maintained. Cleaners are also utilized at every transit hub that Palm Tran serves. A Quantum System was installed that allows wheelchair securement to be touchless, thus lessening operator and passenger potential exposure to COVID-19. Ultraviolet filtration systems were also installed to clean the air and help protect against the spread of COVID-19 and other airborne pathogens. Palm Tran’s increase in cleaning, mask mandate and installation of a state-of-the-art air filtration system was a very effective response to combat the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Award: Bus COVID-19

Member Type & Size: More than 20 million passenger trips annually

AC Transit

In March of 2020, in response to the World Health Organization’s pronouncement that the Novel Coronavirus was a global pandemic, AC Transit developed a COVID 19 response program that focused on the safety of employees and riders. The plan involved the commitment and participation from AC Transit’s management team, increased inventory of PPE and strengthened safety measures onboard conveyances and at all AC Transit properties. AC Transit activated its Emergency Operations Center to ensure that they were following the mandates issued by federal, state, and local governments. An Executive Taskforce developed and implemented Standard Operating System Procedures to mitigate the rapidly changing procedures, guidelines and standards that needed to be to be followed. Protective shields were installed on the entire fleet to protect the operators, rider capacity limits were instituted, enhanced disinfecting was introduced, and AC Transit developed a comprehensive communications and engagement campaign. AC Transit installed PPE dispensers on all coaches that offered masks and hand sanitizer. AC Transit’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic employed effective measures to enhance safety and keep workers and riders safe.