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The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) yesterday recognized six transit agencies for excellence in rail safety, security and emergency management.

The agencies — from California, Georgia, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. — were honored with APTA's 2024 Rail Safety, Security and Emergency Management Awards.

Nominations are evaluated on four criteria: effectiveness, benefit level, innovation, and transferability. The top honor is the Gold Award, which is presented to organizations that serve as the best example of a safety, security or emergency management program. A certificate of merit is given to organizations to recognize exceptional achievement in safety, security or emergency management.

"These awards celebrate the commitment and efforts of public transit agencies and their employees who are dedicated to safeguarding the welfare of passengers, employees, and the communities they serve every single day," said APTA President and CEO Paul Skoutelas in a press release. "I extend my congratulations to the public transit agencies recognized today for their outstanding accomplishments in safety, security, and emergency management. They serve as shining examples within the industry, inspiring others to strive for excellence."

The 2024 Rail Safety, Security and Emergency Management Awards are presented in commuter/intercity rail, light rail/streetcar and heavy rail categories.

For rail safety, the 2024 Gold Award winners are:  MTA Metro-North Railroad, New York City, in the commuter/intercity rail category; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Washington, D.C., in the heavy rail category.

Certificate of merit winners for rail safety are: MTA Long Island Railroad, New York City, in the commuter/intercity rail category; and Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA), Los Angeles, in commuter/intercity rail category.

For rail security, receiving Gold Awards are: Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, Philadelphia, in heavy rail; and Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet), Portland, Oregon, in the light-rail/streetcar category. 

Certificate of merit winners for rail security are: MTA New York City Transit, heavy rail; and SCRRA, commuter/intercity.

For rail emergency management, Gold winners are:  Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), heavy rail; and MTA Metro-North, commuter/intercity.

And the certificate of merit winner for rail emergency management is SCRRA, commuter/intercity.