Transit Superhero of the Year Award
This award recognizes an operator who has gone above and beyond the call of duty
to provide safety and customer service to their community within the last year.
All entries must be received by 6:00 PM (EST) on Friday, June 26, 2026 and are date/time stamped.
Late entries will not be accepted (no exceptions).
Eligibility Criteria
All FPTA member transit agencies (i.e., Corporate Members) in good standing are eligible to nominate a candidate. Good standing is defined as being up to date in payment of annual dues.
Total entries allowed
Each agency may submit one (1) best overall candidate for consideration. There is no charge to submit an entry.
Timetable
- Friday, April 24, 2026 – Award Nominations Open
- Friday, June 26, 2026 by 6:00pm – Award Nominations Deadline
- Friday, July 31, 2026 – Deadline for Awards Chair to provide winner name to FPTA
Requirements for nomination
All entries must be submitted using an online entry form by 6:00pm (EDT) on Friday, June 26, 2026. Entries are date stamped automatically upon submission. Please view the nomination form to view the full list of questions that is required.
Step 1
Provide basic details about the nominee and nominating agency.
Step 2
Provide details specifically about what the nominee has done to go above and beyond the call of duty to provide safety and customer service to their community within the last year.
Step 3
Provide a current photo (must be in .jpg format) of nominee (to be used at the Awards Banquet).
Examples
Here are some submission examples of transit heroes from around the country:
FPTA’s 2025 Winner (excerpt from nomination letter):
“On the evening of November 16, 2024, at approximately 9:30 p.m., Mr. Hector Davila completed his bus route at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in West Palm Beach. As a female passenger was exiting the bus, she asked if she would be able to connect to another route to continue her trip. Mr. Davila contacted dispatch on her behalf but was informed that the connecting service had already ended for the night.
The passenger then exited the bus and began walking away alone in the dark. Mr. Davila also stepped off the bus and noticed a man sitting on a nearby bench. The man appeared to watch the woman intently with suspicious interest as she walked away. Moments later, he stood up and began walking quickly in her direction. Sensing that something was not right, Mr. Davila moved toward the rear of the bus to keep the pair in view. The man caught up to the woman, exchanged a few words with her, and then suddenly lunged, attempting to grab her. The woman screamed in response.
Mr. Davila immediately called out and waved to her, urging her to return to the bus. She quickly ran back, and once both were on board, Mr. Davila closed the doors to ensure their safety.”
FPTA’s 2024 Winner (excerpt from nomination letter):
“In 2023, Bayway employees were trained to assist young people under the age of 18 in crisis situations as a part of the national Safe Place program. This training focuses on identifying the seriousness of a crisis and knowing which local agency to contact to assist the child in need.
On April 30, 2024, Antrese McCormick had to quickly implement this training in a real-life situation. A Bayway driver discovered a child wandering alone along a street that our transit system services and immediately notified our dispatch team. Following Safe Place protocol, our Road Supervisor, Antrese McCormick, quickly arrived to take control of the situation and safely transport the boy to the nearest Panama City Police Department. Conversations between other operators along the route suggested there may be another child wandering the area, so Antrese decided to return to the scene. She searched the neighborhood and found a second unattended child, a four-year-old girl, in the same area. Antrese calmed the child and waited with her, holding her hand and assuring her that everything would be okay. She also continued communicating with the Panama City Police Department to ensure they were aware of the situation. Officers were dispatched to Antrese’s location, where a third child was eventually discovered.”
Judging
A selection committee will judge the entries based on the information submitted.
How and when is the 2026 winner honored?
The transit agency will be notified of the winning operator in advance the first week of August. FPTA will pay for these travel expenses for the winner at the FPTA Annual Conference: one night in a hotel room, a one-day registration for the day of the Awards Banquet, and one guest ticket to the Awards Banquet, if applicable.
The conference dates are October 25-27, 2026 at the Rosen Centre Hotel, Orlando. The Awards Banquest will be held the evening of Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
Have additional questions?
Please contact Amy Keys, FPTA at am*****@************it.org for questions related to the online entry process.
Please contact Karen Deigl, CEO, GoLine/Indian River Transit at kd****@*****il.org for general questions about this awards process.