WASHINGTON — NJ Transit was honored as the Outstanding Public Transportation System with 50 million or more annual passenger trips when the American Public Transportation Association announced its 2023 Public Transportation Awards on Monday.
The organization also announced six new members for the APTA Hall of Fame and individual awards in four categories.
“The achievements and legacies of our awardees inspire us all to continue striving for excellence in our industry and to making a lasting impact on the lives of countless individuals,” said APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas. “Congratulations to all who have been recognized for their accomplishments and for making positive impacts in their communities and our industry.”
NJ Transit was the only agency with a rail component among those receiving outstanding system awards. Others honored were AC Transit of Oakland, Calif., more than 15 million but fewer than 50 million annual passenger trips; Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, St. Petersburg, Fla., more than 3 million but fewer than 15 million annual trips; and SunLine Transit Agency, Thousand Palms, Calif, 3 million or fewer annual passenger trips.
“Receiving the Outstanding Public Transportation System award for 2023 truly validates NJ Transit’s remarkable turnaround since 2018,” NJ Transit CEO Kevin S. Corbett said in a press release. “This honor from APTA and our peers is akin to winning the Super Bowl for a transit agency. It is not just a recognition of our successes over the past five years, it’s a testament to all the hard work, dedication and contributions of every one of the nearly 12,000 NJ Transit employees.”
Innovation Awards went to Bay Area Rapid Transit of Oakland, Calif.; King County Metro of Seattle; MTA Metro-North Railroad of New York; and Park City (Utah) Transit.
Named to the Hall of Fame are Michael Allegra, former CEO, Utah Transit Authority, Salt Lake City; Paul J. Ballard, Weaverville, N.C., former CEO, Fort Worth (Texas) Transportation Authority, among others; John P. Bartosiewicz, KLC2 Connects LLC, Fort Worth, Texas; Julie Cunningham (posthumous) former CEO, Conference of Minority Transportation Officials; Sharon Green, Managing Principal, InfraStrategies LLC; and Phillip A. Washington, CEO, Denver International Airport.
Individual awards include:
— Distinguished Service Award: Robert Nelson Clement, former U.S. Congressman, Nashville, Tenn.;
— Outstanding Public Transportation Manager: Doran Barnes, Foothill Transit, West Covina, Calif.;
— Outstanding Public Transportation Board Members: Eileen Higgins, Miami-Dade Transit, and Paul C. Smedberg, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority;
— Outstanding Public Transportation Business Member, Anja Graves, Cardinal Infrastructure, Washington, D.C.
Congratulations dear NJ Transit!
Dr. Güntürk Üstün