SamTrans wins top award for outstanding transit system in the US

SamTrans Drivers gathered by Bus

Media Contact: Randol White, 415-515-7624  

SamTrans will receive the Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement award this fall in Anaheim according to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). The award honors transit agencies that demonstrate superior achievement in efficiency and effectiveness. 

SamTrans entered the competition for the award this year to help highlight several of its recent achievements, including: 

  • Some of the nation’s best ridership recovery numbers following the Covid lockdown 

  • The initiation of the agency’s transition to a 100% zero-emission fleet 

  • Systemwide updates to improve routes, schedules and services as part of the Reimagine SamTrans initiative 

The award is based on several key factors of operation, including safety, customer service, financial management, sustainability, and DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion). It is given to four different transit agencies each year, broken down by annual ridership numbers. With more than 10 million passenger trips in the past fiscal year, SamTrans won the award for an agency with between 3 million and 15 million annual rides. 

“We’re so honored to have been chosen by the APTA selection committee for this nationwide recognition of excellence,” said SamTrans General Manager/CEO April Chan. “We won this award because of the exceptional work performed at every level of our agency, department by department, and our commitment to evolving with the needs of our riders.” 

“This is your peers recognizing that you are the best of the best,” said SamTrans Board Chair Marina Fraser. “It’s like the Oscar for Best Picture in the transit world, and truly reflects all of the hard work being done by SamTrans.” 

This fall, representatives from SamTrans will attend the APTA TRANSform Conference in Anaheim to accept the award.  

###  

About SamTrans:   

The San Mateo County Transit District operates 71 routes and two on-demand service areas. Funded in part by a half-cent sales tax, the district also provides administrative support for Caltrain and the San Mateo County Transportation Authority. SamTrans has provided bus service to San Mateo County customers since 1976.   

Check out our most recent Next Stop newsletter and subscribe. Also, follow SamTrans on Facebook and X.   

Free translation assistance is available. Para traducción llama al 1.800.660.4287; 如需翻譯,請電 1.800.660.4287.