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The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) will honor Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa with its 2012 Distinguished Service Award for his contributions to the public transportation industry though policy, legislative initiative and leadership.

Villaraigosa, chairman of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA), transformed innovative local transportation funding programs into "America Fast Forward," the financial centerpiece of the nation's new surface transportation law known as MAP-21, LACMTA officials said in a prepared statement.

The mayor will receive the award Oct. 2 during APTA's annual meeting in Seattle.

The programs Villaraigosa has championed are part of his "vigorous transportation agenda to transform Los Angeles from the car capital of the world to the transit capital of the world," said LACMTA Chief Executive Officer Art Leahy.