APTA honors transit agencies, leaders with 2022 awards

The American Public Transportation Association last week honored four transit agencies and eight industry leaders with its 2022 APTA Awards and Hall of Fame inductions.

The awards recognize agencies and individuals for their vision, leadership and commitment to public transportation, APTA officials said in a press release.

"When APTA recognizes members and these organizations with awards it is because they have truly earned this opportunity to be celebrated. I am proud of their achievements and continually excited by the way they help move our industry forward," said APTA Chair Jeff Nelson.

Agencies with passenger-rail service that received awards were the Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corp. (PATH), a subsidiary of the Port Authority of New York New Jersey, which received APTA's Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award, 20 million or more trips; and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, which received the Innovation Award.

PATH was recognized for its 52% reduction in delays, improvements in reliability, capital enhancements and focus on the rider experience. SEPTA was recognized for its Safety, Cleaning, Ownership, Partnership and Engagement (SCOPE) initiative, through which the agency aims to provide a safe and clean environment for  employees and riders.

Individuals receiving awards were:

• Joseph Giulietti, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Transportation: Distinguished Service Award;
• Rick Leary, CEO of the Toronto Transit Commission: Outstanding Public Transportation Manager;
• Anne McEnerny-Ogle, board member for C-Tran: Outstanding Public Transportation Board Member;
• Valarie McCall, board member for Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority: Outstanding Public Transportation Board Member; and
• Jannet Walker-Ford, national transit and rail leader for WSP USA: Outstanding Public Transportation Business Member.

Individuals inducted into the Hall of Fame were:

• Joseph Calabrese, former CEO and general manager of GCRTA;
• Mattie Carter, who served on the APTA and Memphis Area Transit Authority boards;
• James Srygley, former president and CEO of S&A Systems Inc.; and
• Gary Thomas, former president and executive director of Dallas Area Rapid Transit.