September 1, 2026
Valley Metro
Award-winning together
Valley Metro has been named the 2026 Outstanding Public Transportation System by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), recognizing our commitment to delivering safe, reliable and customer-focused transit service for the communities we serve.
This national recognition reflects the collective work of our employees, riders, Board of Directors, member communities and regional partners, as well as progress we've made together to strengthen public transportation across the region.
More riders. More connections.
More people are choosing Valley Metro to connect to work, school, healthcare, entertainment and other important destinations across the region.
FY26 ridership reached 41.7 million passenger trips, an 8.7% increase over FY25, as both bus and rail service continued to grow.
That growth has been supported by major investments in the regional transit system. Between 2022 and 2025, Valley Metro delivered three rail extensions, creating new connections and expanding access to communities across the Valley.
Delivering an excellent customer experience
Providing a great transit experience means more than getting riders from one place to another. It means delivering service that is dependable, safe, accessible and easy to use.
Valley Metro achieved 90% bus and 81% rail on-time performance, while rider satisfaction reached an all-time high of 89%.
Investments in safety and security also contributed to measurable improvements, including a 55% decrease in rail passenger assaults and 60% decrease in bus operator assaults from FY24 to FY25.
At the same time, Valley Metro continued expanding the tools and services that make transit easier to navigate and more accessible, including Smart Fare, RideChoice, Valley Metro Connect, travel training and 24/7 customer support through the AI Virtual Transit Agent.
Strengthening how we operate
Behind every trip is a team focused on keeping service moving safely and reliably.
Valley Metro has continued investing in maintenance, operational performance and long-term efficiency. A reliability-centered bus maintenance program tripled fleet reliability and performance, while bringing additional maintenance work in-house has saved more than $2 million to date.
These improvements help ensure resources are focused where they matter most — supporting dependable service for riders today while preparing the system for continued growth.
Delivering strong financial results
Strong financial stewardship helps Valley Metro maximize public resources while continuing to deliver reliable service and invest in the region's transit system.
Valley Metro maintained strong financial performance, with operating expenses coming in 1.2% below budget while maintaining service levels. Expanded in-house maintenance solutions have also generated $2 million in savings to date.
These results reflect a continued focus on accountability, efficiency and responsible management of the resources entrusted to the agency.
Our progress is creating a strong foundation for what comes next
Winning the award recognizes how far we've come — but the work continues.
Bus Network Redesign
Recommendations for the region's first comprehensive redesign of the bus network in more than 20 years will be presented for public feedback in Fall 2026, helping ensure bus service continues to evolve with today's and tomorrow's travel needs.
West Phoenix Extension
Planning and community engagement are advancing for the proposed 10-mile West Phoenix light rail extension, with continued opportunities for residents, businesses and riders to help shape the project.
Progress powered by people
This recognition reflects the people behind our progress — employees who keep our system moving, riders who choose transit every day, Board members who provide leadership and regional partners who help make our work possible.
Thank you for being part of this achievement and helping move our region forward.
Celebrating together
This award belongs to our entire region, and we're excited to celebrate with the riders, communities and partners who helped make it possible.
Throughout the year, look for the celebration across the Valley Metro system and beyond, including special rider appreciation events, commemorative Copper cards and limited-edition merchandise, bus and train wraps, station signage, social media features and more.
Stay tuned for more ways to join us as we celebrate this recognition together.