Top national APTA award goes to Metro Transit

Written by Kyra Senese, Managing Editor
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Metro Transit

Metro Transit announced Aug. 10 the agency has received the American Public Transportation Association's (APTA) 2016 Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award. 

 

Also known as the System of the Year award, the highly regarded award recognizes Metro Transit’s achievements, such as growing ridership, improving accessibility, advances in sustainability and system safety from 2013 through 2015. Metro Transit officials will be presented with the award at APTA’s Annual Meeting next month in Los Angeles, Calif.

Richard A. White, APTA’s acting president and CEO said, “Metro Transit’s record ridership, its emphasis on safety, its outstanding vehicle reliability and its great effort in sustainability are just some of the reasons APTA is giving Metro Transit this prestigious award.”

The recognition comes following the agency’s 2014 unveiling of the METRO Green Line, which company officials say brought in Metro Transit’s highest ridership in 30 years. The agency also recorded upwards of 85.8 million rides taken in 2015.

General Manager Brian Lamb attributed the agency’s success to the company’s 3,200 employees, who build lasting relationships with both customers and partners.

“Being named APTA’s System of the Year is a humbling and high honor, and one that can be celebrated by all who helped bring us to this point,” Lamb said.

Metro Transit officials say the company has seen $16 million in savings by using hybrid buses and solar energy, along with making additional sustainability measures. The Metro Transit Police Department has also grown, and improved train operator instruction and safety campaigns have shown improved safety along the agency’s routes.

“Winning the 2016 Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award means that Metro Transit has been recognized as the top large public transit system in North America,” said Paul Skoutelas, APTA Awards Chair and national transit director, WSP|Parsons Brinckerhoff.  “Metro Transit is a model for other public transit systems.”

Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota Tina Smith lauded the agency’s accomplishments, noting that the state’s economy relies on a dependable, modern transportation system.

“This need will only intensify in coming years as the Twin Cities adds an estimated 800,000 residents and 490,000 jobs by 2040,” she said. “This award confirms what the thousands of Minnesotans who rely on transit already know: Metro Transit delivers consistent, high-quality service. This recognition is well deserved, and an important reminder that Minnesota needs to continue to expand and improve transit services if we want our economy to stay strong.” 

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