July 19, 2007

Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) honors one public transportation system in North America each year who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in efficiency and effectiveness. Systems are judged on their performance over a 3-year period. One system is chosen from each of four categories; based on passenger trip totals. CATA was ranked first for 2007 in the 4 - 30 million ride category which includes 106 systems. 

The judging panel of transit professionals from across North America, looks at a system’s quantitative measures such as ridership per passenger mile, number of customer complaints, safety indicators, etc. which compose up to 2/3 of the total score. Qualitative measures count for 1/3 of the total score. These include specific programmatic improvements and achievements in:

• Safety- Enhanced safety measures

• Operations- Efficiencies in operating procedures

• Customer Service- Methods of providing additional value and service to riders

• Financial Management- Effective financial controls

• Attendance and Employee Costs- Containing costs and improving absentee rates

• Minority and Women Advancement- Encouraging and promoting diversity

• Marketing- Developing effective marketing tools to retain and attract riders

• Policy and Administration- Implementing effective and productive administrative techniques

• Community Relations- Promoting positive relations and contributing to a more “livable” community

CATA will receive the formal award at the APTA Annual Meeting award luncheon on October 9, 2007 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Read the press release.