APTA announces newest sustainability commitment awardees

Two organizations have been recognized by the America Public Transportation Association (APTA) for continued achievements in sustainability.

WSP has achieved Platinum recognition and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) has achieved the Gold recognition in the APTA Sustainability Commitment Program.

Public transit agencies and businesses voluntarily choose to join the APTA Sustainability Commitment program and pledge to implement processes and actions that create continuous improvements in environmental, social and economic sustainability. Based on specific measurable achievements, organizations are given Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze Level recognition. First started in 2009, 126 public transit agencies and businesses have signed on to the APTA Sustainability Commitment. Currently, 48 signatories have received higher level recognition.

“We are thrilled to welcome our first APTA business member, WSP, to the Platinum level of our sustainability program and to recognize the continued work of MARTA as it builds its service for a more sustainable future,” said APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas. “From the supply chain changes at WSP to the growth at MARTA building better transit-oriented development and providing more accessibility for bike access to transit, these are just a few of the ways our members are making our industry more sustainable.”

WSP

A founding signatory to the Sustainability Commitment Program, WSP is the first business member to earn the Platinum recognition. Businesses play a key role in supporting the development of a sustainable and prosperous society. In its role, APTA says the greatest benefit WSP can provide is through the services offered and projects delivered. For example, through WSP’s global Future ReadyTM innovation program, WSP helps its transit clients create a more sustainable, prosperous and resilient society by evaluating how each project can anticipate and prepare for future changes in societal needs, resource availability, technology and climate. WSP supports the California High-Speed Rail Authority in recently achieving Envision platinum certification.

WSP also minimizes the negative impact of its own operations and increases the positive. Among WSP’s achievements include a commitment to achieve net zero emissions across its value chain by 2040, supported by science-based greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets approved by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

MARTA

MARTA is committed to operating an environmentally, socially and economically sustainable public transit system. Notably, MARTA has successfully achieved ISO 55000 certification for its asset management program. By achieving this certification, MARTA surpasses both state and federal requirements.

Additionally, MARTA achieved ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System certification at nine facilities and continues to make progress.

Outside its facilities and operations, MARTA has participated in several community programs over the recent years. MARTA constructed a low-impact business village near transit and is working on expanding the Transit-Adjacent Development program.

Also, in the face of evolving mobility landscape, MARTA contributed to improving multimodal accessibility by partnering with the city of Atlanta in the Relay Bikes, a bike share program and installed bike racks and fix-it stations. Lastly, as electric vehicles (EV) become more commonplace in Atlanta, MARTA has started and will add EV charging stations to rail and bus station parking lots and structures, as well as maintenance facilities for employees to use.