Metro has been named Outstanding Public Transportation System of the Year—the best among the largest transit agencies in North America—by the American Public Transportation Association. We’ll be recognizing this great honor in September and throughout the year.

We kicked off the celebration with an event on Wednesday, Sept. 5 at South Base. This was followed by a “whistle stop” tour, with Metro General Manager Rob Gannon visiting as many worksites as he could in a 24-hour period.

We’re organizing rider appreciation events for later in the month. Then, on Sept. 25, the King County Executive and Metro General Manager will personally accept the award at the APTA Annual Conference in Nashville.

You helped make us outstanding! The APTA award recognizes Metro employees’ impressive accomplishments over the past three years, including:

• efficient and effective operations
• a 15 percent expansion of service and record-high ridership
• a stronger safety program for employees and customers
• leadership in adopting zero-emission battery buses and electric trolleys
• the ORCA LIFT low-income fare
• new mobility solutions tailored to local communities
• our visionary long-term plan, METRO CONNECTS.

You earned this award through your hard work, innovations, and commitment to public service, and we invite all Metro employees to join in celebrating our accomplishments.