Metro Transit is an established leader in the transit industry and has won multiple awards for top performance. Below is a list of some of the recognition Metro Transit and its employees have received from peers and partners.
Metro Transit also hosts two annual awards ceremonies. The Metro Transit Police Department’s Awards Ceremony recognizes outstanding police work. The Ovations Awards recognize top-performing operators.
Photo: Jerry Olson, 2014 Minnesota Operator of the Year, with Director of Bus Transportation Christy Bailly.
2023
Innovative Transportation Solutions Award, WTS Minnesota, Metro Transit micro
2022
Minnesota Operator of the Year, MPTA, Duane Moore
2021
Top 40 Under 40, Carrie Desmond, Principal Engineer
Minnesota Operator of the Year, Harry Mandik, Train Operator
Richard P. Braun Distinguished Service Award, CTS, John Levin, Director of Strategic Initiatives
Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership Award, WTS Minnesota, Amina Wolf, Transportation Manager
Woman to Watch, WTS Minnesota, Ayantu Gemeda, Assistant Manager-Street Operations Bus Rapid Transit
Ray LaHood Award, WTS Minnesota, Deputy Chief of Operations-Bus Brian Funk
2019
Distinguished Career Award, MPTA, John Dillery, Scott Thompson, Steve Mahowald
Minnesota Bus Operator of the Year, MPTA, Theresa Collins
2025 Plan Leadership Award, Minneapolis Downtown Council, METRO C Line
2018
Top 40 Under 40, Joan Hollick, Interim Director-New Starts Program
Better Government Award, Metro Transit Technician Training Program
Certificate of Merit, APTA Bus Safety & Security Excellence Awards
Ray LaHood Award, WTS Minnesota, Charles Carlson
2017
Management Innovation Award, Metro Transit App, Minnesota Public Transit Association
Operator of the Year, Renee Stafford, Minnesota Public Transit Association
Top 40 Under 40, Mass Transit, Katie Roth, Manager-Arterial Bus Rapid Transit
Gold Award for Safety, APTA
Innovative Transportation Solutions Award, WTS Minnesota, A Line
Richard W. Schaller Award, Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association, Chief John Harrington
Model Program Award, Metro Transit Technician Training Program
2016
Distinguished Career Award, Minnesota Public Transit Association, Bill Wilken, Revenue Operations Supervisor
Top 40 Under 40, Mass Transit, Chang Yang, Assistant Transportation Manager
System of the Year, American Public Transportation Association
Gold Standard, Transportation Security Administration (TSA). For security planning, training and outreach.
2015
Transit Professional of the Year, Minnesota Public Transit Association, Chief John Harrington
Management Innovation Awards, Minnesota Public Transit Association,Student Pass
Gold Award, APTA AdWheel Awards, Special Events - Green Line opening day campaign
Top 40 Under 40, Mass Transit, Kristin Thompson, Assistant Director - Scheduling, Analysis and Data Collection.
Lifetime Achievement, Minnesota Association of Government Communicators. Bob Gibbons, Director of Customer Service & Marketing (retired).
Award of Excellence, Minnesota Association of Government Communicators. Switch My Trip Campaign.
Award of Excellence, Minnesota Association of Government Communicators. State Fair Campaign.
Top Projects, Finance & Commerce. For the METRO Green Line and the Highway 610 & Noble Parkway Park & Ride.
Partner of the Year, Visit Saint Paul. For efforts to support and enhance the tourism industry in St. Paul.
Employer of the Year, WTS Minnesota. For efforts to hire and promote women at Metro Transit and the Metropolitan Council.
Progress Minnesota, Finance & Commerce. For the METRO Green Line’s impact on the regional economy.
Innovation in Tourism, Meet Minneapolis. For efforts to support and enhance the tourism industry in Minneapolis.
Engineering Excellence Awards, American Council of Engineering Companies of Minnesota. For ingenuity and sustainable design on the METRO Green Line and Highway 610 & Noble Parkway Park & Ride projects.
2014
Gold Level, American Public Transit Association (APTA) Sustainability Program. For environmental stewardship and reductions in energy and fuel consumption.
Transit Professional of the Year, Mark Fuhrmann, Deputy General Manager, Minnesota Public Transit Association (MPTA). For successfully leading the METRO Green Line construction project. Fuhrmann had more than 30 years of transit management experience at the time of the award.
Operator of the Year, Jerry Olson, Minnesota Public Transit Association, MPTA. For safety, customer service and leadership. Olson had 41 consecutive years of safe driving at the time of the award.
Top 40 Under 40, Mass Transit. Capt. Jim Franklin. For overseeing the development of the Metro Transit Police Department’s East Command in St. Paul, emergency management and preparations for the METRO Green Line opening.
Top 40 Under 40, Mass Transit. Charles Carlson, Senior Manager, BRT. For leading Metro Transit’s Bus Rapid Transit/Small Starts project office.
Awards of Excellence, Minnesota Association of Government Communicators. Metro Transit Fact Book, Rider's Almanac, Rail~Volution Conference promotional video.
2013
Operator of the Year, Tony Taylor, MPTA. For safety, customer service and leadership. Taylor had 34 years of service at the time of the award and was an effective spokesperson for Metro Transit.
Distinguished Career Award, Silas Sharp, MPTA. For significant improvements to transit in Minnesota. A Maintenance Manager, Silas had 50 years of service at the time of the award.
Gold Award, Bus Safety Excellence, APTA. For cross-departmental efforts to reduce bus collisions.
Gold Standard, Transportation Security Administration (TSA). For security planning, training and outreach.
Best in Show, Minnesota Association of Government Communicators (MAGC). For a campaign reminding customers to be safe using transit.
2012
Transit Professional of the Year, Jan Homan, Director of Bus Maintenance, MPTA.