TORONTO – Every year the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) celebrates the achievements of its members at the annual CUTA Awards Ceremony. The 2024 CUTA Awards Ceremony, held today in Toronto, recognized organizations and individuals for their contributions to public transit in Canada.

CUTA’s Awards Committee selected 19 winners who demonstrated the greatest impact within the communities they serve.

List of 2024 CUTA Award winners:

 

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

 

Excellence Award – Recognizes major contributions that improved public transit.

Blaire Sylvester, Public Transportation and Business Development Coordinator, was recognized for her contributions to the successful implementation of the new On-Demand program for Norfolk County’s Ride Norfolk transit system. Read more.

Steve Munro, Transit Advocate, was recognized for his dedicated advocacy in the public transit sector. Through his unwavering presence with the Toronto Transit Commission, he provided objective and critical insights from the transit user’s perspective, playing a key role in improving public transit for over 35 years. Read more.

 

Young Leaders Award – Recognizes young and talented emerging leaders entering the sector (35 or younger).

Patrick Yutiga, Transit Planner, Service Planning & Scheduling, Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) was recognized for his work as a young professional who significantly advanced CUTA’s goal of attracting and retaining young professionals to the industry. Read more.

Yasmine Koufahi, Senior Strategic Planning Analyst, Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) was recognized for her leadership in customer experience and market research, transforming how ETS understands ridership needs. Read more.

 

Edward J. Dowling Distinguished Service Award – Recognizes individuals in the industry who have demonstrated superior and outstanding service over a period of ten years.

Kevin Dowling, former Manager, Strategic Investments Office, Ministry of Transportation (MTO), was recognized for dedicating over 21 years of service to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation where he significantly impacted public transit initiatives across various provincial governments. Read more.

 

William G. Ross Lifetime Achievement Award – Recognizes exceptional service for at least 25 years. The winner is inducted into the CUTA Hall of Fame.

Scott Haskill, former Chief Strategy & Customer Officer, Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) was recognized for the crucial role he played in planning and designing transit services during a challenging economic period market by recession and service cuts. Implementing new data-driven methods establishing fair service standards, along with dedicating his life to public transit. Read more.

Tyrone Gan, Senior Vice President, Transportation, HDR, was recognized for over 40 years of experience in public transit planning across Canada. Throughout his career, Tyrone has advised clients like Metrolinx, the Ministry of Transportation Ontario, and the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). Read more.

Blair Allen, Manager, Transit Development, Grand River Transit (GRT), was recognized for his significant contributions to public transit in the Waterloo Region. His annual transit service investment strategies and performance monitoring for Kitchener Transit supported the formation of GRT in 2000 and ongoing investment in light rail and regional transit. Read more.

Sue Connor, former Project Lead in Fleet Electrification and Director of Transit, City of Burlington, was recognized for her years of dedication to public transit for systems throughout the Greater Toronto Area. She held several positions advancing public transit through her work. Read more.

Edward (Ted) Wickson, Transit Historian and Archivist, Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), was posthumously recognized for his lifetime dedication to documenting public transit in Canada and advancing the historical knowledge of transit systems. Read more.

 

CORPORATE AWARDS

 

Equity Diversity & Inclusion Award – Recognize initiatives, programs, and outreach undertaken by businesses, transit systems, and/or their municipal owners, committed to inclusive, accessible, diverse workplaces and communities.

Translink was recognized for their project, improving the accessibility of signage throughout their system. Read more.

 

Innovation Award – Recognizes excellence in using technology to make services more efficient.

Metrolinx was recognized for their “New Ways to Pay” initiative, enhancing fare integration by offering various payment options, including major credit cards and a digital PRESTO card. Read more.

Société de transport de Montréal and Transit were recognized for their collaboration in developing an algorithm to automatically detect bus detours in Montreal, addressing the frequent disruptions caused by road accidents, and weather. Read more.

York Region Transit was recognized for the installation of CITYROVER’s AI smart camera system on select buses to automatically inspect over 6,050 bus stops. The images process data in real time and generate reports on stop conditions. Read more.

Calgary Transit was recognized for their launch of “The Operator Zone”, a streamlined feedback system using QR codes across buses, trains, and shuttles. This initiative simplifies feedback and peer recognition for nearly 2,500 operators, fostering a safer, more efficient, and engaging workplace. Read more.

 

Marketing and Communications – Recognizes excellence in advertising, corporate communications, or public relations.

Translink was recognized for their art exhibit created in collaboration with Black Canadian curator Nya Lewis who lead the project in highlighting the uniqueness of the Afro diaspora through contemporary Black art. Lewis engaged artists who challenge social, economic, and political conditions, aiming to showcase the depth of knowledge within the Canadian Afrodiasporic art landscape while respecting often overlooked narratives. Read more.

The City of Airdrie was recognized for The Gingerbread Bus. A festively decorated bus that brought community together through onboard performances, colouring activities for children, as well as a holiday light tour for seniors, complete with hot chocolate and festive cheer. Read more.

Metrolinx was recognized for their One Fare Program, which eliminated double fares between GO Transit, the Toronto Transit Commission, and five local transit systems bordering Toronto. Read more.

The Réseau de transport de la Capitale (RTC) has been honored with a Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) Award in the Marketing and Communications category, recognizing its outstanding “Safety!” campaign. This creative initiative stood out for its ability to address a critical issue—road safety—in an engaging and impactful way. Read more.

 

Interested media are encouraged to email Kelly Luke at [email protected] to connect with award winners who can provide additional comment.

CUTA is the collective voice of the transit industry in Canada. Its membership includes Canadian transit systems, private transportation operators, manufacturers and suppliers, transit industry thought leaders and academics from coast to coast.

 

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Media Contact:

Kelly Luke

Coordinator, Communications

Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA)

416-553-8572

[email protected]