USA: The 2026 APTA Awards honored 12 transit organizations and industry leaders, including automated rail, autonomous road transit and hydrogen-train projects, while naming four Hall of Fame inductees.

2026 APTA Awards Spotlight Transit Innovation
Photo: aptapassengertransport.com

The American Public Transportation Association announced the recipients on July 30. The North American program recognizes organizations and people for leadership, excellence and innovations that advance public transportation. The awards are scheduled to be presented on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, in Chicago during APTA’s TRANSform Conference and EXPO.

Automated and hydrogen projects lead the innovation list

The City and County of Honolulu won for Skyline, its fully automated rail system. The Jacksonville Transportation Authority received an award for its Neighborhood Autonomous Vehicle Innovation (NAVI) service. The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority was recognized for Metrolink’s Zero Emission Multiple Unit (ZEMU), a passenger rail vehicle with a hydrogen fuel source.

In its first-year service update, JTA said NAVI had carried more than 15,200 passengers and covered over 61,000 miles in autonomous mode since its launch on June 30, 2025. The service operates on a 3.5-mile route through downtown Jacksonville.

Metrolink’s Arrow service now uses ZEMU between San Bernardino and Redlands. The operator says the train combines hydrogen fuel cells and batteries, with water vapor as its only onboard emission.

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Four transit systems win by ridership tier

APTA divided the Outstanding Public Transportation System category into four tiers based on annual passenger trips. Indian River Transit in Vero Beach, Florida, won the tier for 3 million or fewer trips, while Caltrain in Millbrae, California, received the award for more than 3 million but fewer than 15 million.

In its award announcement, Caltrain listed 57% year-over-year ridership growth in 2025, a switch from diesel to electricity sourced from 100% renewables for mainline service, and more than $76 million in cost savings over five years.

Valley Metro in Phoenix won the tier for more than 15 million but fewer than 50 million trips. The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System received the award for systems recording 50 million or more annual passenger trips.

Metra, WSP and the HOH Group, Inc. received the Outstanding Partnership in Public Transportation award.

Individual awards and the Hall of Fame class

Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell received the Distinguished Service award. MJ Maynard-Carey of the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada was named Outstanding Public Transportation Chief Executive Officer.

Denise Figueroa of the Capital District Transportation Authority was recognized as Outstanding Public Transportation Board Member. Charles Di Maggio of Greystone Real Estate Advisory Group received the Outstanding Public Transportation Business Member award.

Dorval R. Carter, Jr., Nuria Fernandez, Larry Jackson and Chuck Wochele were announced as the four 2026 APTA Hall of Fame inductees.

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