Release Date: September 26,2023
METRO RTA Awarded Three Ohio Public Transportation Association Awards
September 26, 2023, AKRON, OH — The Ohio Public Transportation Association (OPTA) hosted its annual conference September 18-20, including OPTA’s Excellence Awards Luncheon, where individuals and organizations who have exemplified leadership and advocacy for public transit in Ohio are honored.
The Community Impact Award, awarded to a transit employee who has had a significant impact within their community, was received by Operations Supervisor Shawn Craig after a heroic act while in the line of duty. The Lifetime Achievement Award, awarded to one recipient for noteworthy accomplishments in the field of public transit, was received by Operations Administrative Assistant Ricky McDaniel, after 44 years of dedicated service to METRO. METRO accepted the Milestone Award, an award which recognizes individuals or transit agencies reaching significant milestones in the transit industry, for its innovative Come Drive with (B)us hands-on hiring initiative.
“We are incredibly proud and honored that our team was awarded three OPTA awards this year,” said
CEO Dawn Distler. “It is evident that our team members go above and beyond for both our
community and for each other. We strive to harness a humanitarian mindset at METRO, and we
believe that shows in our service to the community.”
Congratulations to the 2023 OPTA Excellence Award winners.
METRO RTA is the public transportation provider in Summit County. METRO enhances the quality
of life for our community by providing innovative transportation solutions that are safe, equitable,
dependable, cost-effective and customer focused, now and into the future.