Awards

Honors transit professionals 35 years or younger or in their first five years of employment, who demonstrate innovation, leadership, and collaboration.

• Becky Carten-Crandell, Executive Director, Interurban Transit Authority: Becky has served as Executive Director since summer of 2024, and she has since been recognized for her innovative ideas and efforts to expand transit services to new areas, resulting in significant numbers of new riders. She has also helped to add new vehicles and hire staff to boost the agency’s capacity. Becky’s exceptional communication skills and leadership support the work of her staff have been critical to her success as a new transit director.
  As described by her colleagues, “Her positive attitude and energy are contagious to the staff here at Interurban Transit Authority”
• John Comparoni, Driver, North Oakland Transportation Authority (NOTA): John is known for his reliability, compassion, and commitment to service, and has taken on the responsibility of training new drivers. In March of 2025, he made a life-saving decision when a passenger suffered a stroke while on his bus, allowing his passenger to receive the appropriate care.
  John’s colleagues explain, “His story exemplifies the vital role that transit professionals play- not only in transportation, but in safeguarding the wellbeing of the communities they serve.”
• Luca Leffew, Driver, Benzie Bus: Luca has shown exceptional initiative and commitment to professional growth. Since beginning as a part time shift driver, Luca obtained his Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and transitioned to a full-time role, demonstrating a consistently positive and welcoming demeanor described as “the gold standard” for the organization.
  Luca’s colleagues share, “Luca is more than just a driver; he is an ambassador for Benzie Bus and a tremendous asset to our organization. His positive energy is infectious, and he serves as a daily inspiration to his colleagues. We are incredibly proud to have him on our team and look forward to his continued success with us for many years to come.”
• People's Express: As a relatively young organization, People’s Express has grown to become Michigan’s largest nonprofit transportation agency, providing approximately 240,000 trips annually in the City of Detroit and Livingston, Oakland, and Washtenaw Counties. They offer diverse, ADA-compliant services designed to empower individuals of all ages and abilities. Their expansion in the city of Novi and other areas of Oakland County has led to significant ridership increases in previously underserved areas. Their partnerships with other regional transit agencies, local governments, employers, and human services organizations ensure their transportation services are comprehensive and inclusive.

Innovative Transit Project: Recognizes projects that improve transit access, safety, efficiency, sustainability, and ridership, and serve as models for other providers.

• Barry County Transit Lighthouse Academy Route: This project aimed to expand transit access to underserved students at Lighthouse Academy. It utilized existing resources to implement the service cost-effectively, resulting in significant community impact and increased revenue.
  As describe by the assistance superintendent of Lighthouse Academy, “Ms. Basset and the Barry County Transit staff played a major role in the Lighthouse Academy opening a school in the Barry County area to serve and support expelled and court ordered youth who otherwise would not have an option to revive much needed face to face learning opportunities.”
• BATA Headquarters and Workforce Housing Project:  The project in Garfield Township, Michigan, represents a $100 million investment in workforce housing, public transit, and community development. ​ It includes the construction of a new BATA operations center, over 200 affordable housing units, 15 Habitat for Humanity homes, and a childcare facility, while preserving 20 acres of wetlands. The initiative addresses critical regional needs by improving access to transportation, reducing housing and transit costs, and creating 50 new full-time jobs. ​ It also promotes sustainability with green-ready facilities, walkable paths, and reduced parking requirements.
• SMARTer Mobility- Launched in 2023, SMART’s SMARTer Mobility Program is a region-wide planning initiative aimed at modernizing transit across Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne Counties. It evaluated all mobility modes—fixed route, ADA, microtransit, and connector services—while engaging over 5,000 residents through surveys, town halls, and multilingual outreach. The program proposed redesigns that would connect nearly 384,000 more residents to jobs, healthcare, and education, and introduced Flex microtransit zones, expanded weekend service, and improved route frequency. Innovative tools like interactive maps and scenario books made technical content accessible to the public. Supported by $2.3 million in local and federal planning grants, SMARTer Mobility serves as a replicable model for community-driven, data-informed transit modernization.
• Saginaw Transit Authority Regional Service – Saginaw Spirit Memorial Cup Initiative - In preparation for hosting the prestigious 2024 CHL Memorial Cup, STARS played a pivotal role in regional transportation logistics, ensuring mobility for over 15,000 attendees daily across the Great Lakes Bay Region. With no taxi, Lyft, or Uber services available, STARS coordinated accessible shuttle services, signage, and maps to connect fans to various venues. Their efforts supported inclusive participation across economic backgrounds and honored military traditions through thoughtful programming. STARS also collaborated on a grant to secure five new buses, three of which were wrapped in Saginaw Spirit branding to celebrate the event. Their leadership helped Saginaw deliver a world-class experience – and it so happened that the hometown Spirit ultimately took home the Memorial Cup!”

Outstanding Communications Project: Celebrates effective, innovative, and unique communications or marketing efforts that elevate public transit

• RTA/QLINE & Detroit Air Xpress: The QLINE campaign aligned with Detroit sports teams to raise awareness and showcase the service as a viable option for gameday transportation. The campaign included activations with local influencers and resulted in significant social media engagement. The Detroit Air Xpress campaign received extraordinary media coverage and exceeded ridership expectations during its initial launch phase. Detroit Air Xpress also has proven to be able to sustain the early ridership successes.

• Friend of Michigan Transit: Acknowledges individuals or organizations outside the transit workforce who have made significant contributions to Michigan public transportation.
  • Benzie Senior Resources: Benzie Senior Resources (BSR) has been a steadfast ally of public transportation in rural northern Michigan. As a trusted service provider for older adults in Benzie County, BSR has consistently highlighted the essential role Benzie Bus plays in helping seniors age in place, access healthcare, and stay connected to their communities. During the 2024 millage campaign, BSR’s public endorsement and behind-the-scenes support helped build widespread trust and understanding - especially among older voters. The organization frequently collaborates with Benzie Bus on shared outreach and coordination to ensure transportation remains central to healthy aging. BSR exemplifies what it means to be a “Friend of Transit” - a committed community partner working across sectors to ensure mobility for all.
  • Cass County - Mary Cathleen Jones: Mary was a tireless advocate for public transportation, contributing her marketing and communications expertise to the Cass County Transportation Authority. Her efforts were key to the passage of the February 2024 Transportation Millage Proposal that was historic for Cas County. Mary Cathleen Jones passed away on January 1, 2025.
  • Representative Greg Alexander - Republican from Sanilac County: Greg has been a strong voice for public transit, particularly for rural Michigan. He has worked on transit funding legislation and serves as the Vice Chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
  • Representative Jason Morgan – Democrat from Ann Arbor: Jason has been a transit champion in the state legislature, working to secure stable funding for Michigan's transit providers and leading efforts on groundbreaking legislation that would provide a significant boost to transit funding from the proceeds from Michigan’s auto-related sales taxes.