OkTA Awards of Excellence Nominations

The Oklahoma Transit Awards of Excellence honor outstanding achievements in delivering safe, reliable, efficient, and coordinated public transportation across the state. These awards also recognize efforts to build, promote, and advocate for public transit that meets the mobility needs of all Oklahomans.

DETAILED AWARD DESCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE BELOW

Who Can Submit a Nomination?

• Any employee of a member in good standing
• Affiliated Community Action Agencies or municipalities
• Self-nominations are welcome

Note: The Transit Champion of the Year Award is open to all and does not require membership

How to Enter

• Review the submission guidelines and follow all instructions carefully.
• Answer all questions in the form below.
• Include supporting documentation: Photographs, video, press releases, letters of support, media links, other relevant materials, etc.
• Submit a high-resolution version of your transit logo.

Award Coverage Period

• The awards recognize accomplishments during calendar year 2026.
• Programs initiated in 2025 and continuing into 2026 are eligible.

Submission Deadline
Wednesday, September 18 at 11:59 PM
Late or incomplete entries will be disqualified.

How to Submit
Submit directly via this form.

Need Help?
Questions? Email: oktransit@oktransit.org
Confirmation of receipt will be sent for all submissions.

All submissions become the property of OkTA.

Transit System of the Year Qualifications

Explain why the entry is outstanding:

1. Innovative and creative services in the community.

2. Being responsive to the needs of its customers and the community.

3. Actively coordinating and collaborating with other public and special services transportation.

4. Effectively helps the community accomplish their goals.

5. Creates partnerships with a wide range of organizations, both public and private.

6. Providing accessible transportation service.

7. Building transportation alternatives that are intended to meet a wide range of the communities' needs.

8. Promotes safety throughout transit system.

 

Transit Professional of the Year Qualifications

Explain why the entry is outstanding:

1. Demonstrates exemplary leadership qualities.

2. Is responsive to the needs of their staff, customers, and the community.

3. Actively collaborates with other public and special services transportation.

4. Effectively helps the community accomplish their goals.

5. Creates partnerships with a wide range of organizations, both public and private.

6. Participates in volunteer opportunities within their professional life. 

7. Promotes best practices throughout transit system.

 

Marketing Campaign of the Year Qualifications

Explain why the entry is outstanding:

1. Marketing campaign reached the target audience.

2. Marketing campaign had appeal.

3. Marketing campaign was well executed.

4. Marketing campaign effectively used resources.

5. Marketing campaign met is goals and objectives.

 

Innovation Award Qualifications

Explain why the entry is outstanding:

1. Innovation has been effective.

2. Innovations has saved resources or made transit system more efficient.

3. Innovation has impacted system users.

4. Innovation impacted the transit system and its employees.

 

Supplier of the Year Award

Explain why the entry is outstanding:

1. Demonstrates exemplary leadership qualities.

2. Is responsive to the needs of their staff, customers, and the transit community.

3. Actively collaborates with their industry partners in transit.

4. Effectively helps their customers accomplish their goals.

5. Creates partnerships with a wide range of organizations, both public and private.

6. Participates in volunteer opportunities within their professional life.

 7. Promotes best practices throughout transit systems.

 

Safety and Training Qualifications

Explain why the entry is outstanding:

1. The safety and training program was effective.

2. The safety and training program impacted system users.

3. The safety and training program impacted the transit system and its employees.

 

Major Ed Pulido Transit Hero of the Year Qualifications

Each OkTA member transit agency may nominate one of their drivers as that agency's Hero of the Year candidate. In the space provided above, describe the reason they should be the Hero of the Year.

(Optional) An agency can nominate the driver by submitting a three-minute video showing what makes them a candidate for OkTA Hero of the Year.

Keith Leftwich Transit Champion of the Year Qualifications

Anyone may nominate a Keith Leftwich Transit Champion of the Year candidate for consideration. This person should demonstrate vested interest in the transit community through public service, volunteerism, or community engagement. They do not need to be a member of the OkTA to be considered. You may also submit up to three letters of endorsement. More than one award may be given in this category.