Innovation Award to: Osage County General Transportation:  In recognition that sometimes less is more by implementing an adaptable but less complicated dispatch system improving its service to the community.    Their dispatching software was being discontinued and would no longer be available, so they immediately began searching for a replacement. Their goal was not only to find new software, but to identify something more practical and better suited to the size and needs of their agency.
After reviewing many demonstrations, they ultimately selected Ride Sheet. This represented a significant change from the more advanced software they had used previously..  Osage was one of the first transit agencies to recognize that they did not need all of the advanced features offered by larger software platforms. Instead of moving to a more complex system, they intentionally chose a simpler solution.  That decision has worked out very well for them. They continue to provide feedback, recommend improvements, and suggest updates that can now benefit other agencies as well.
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INNOVATION WARD TO  Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas  IN RECOGNITION OF ITS IRIS ON DEMAND MICROTRANSIT SERVICE DESIGNED TO EXPAND ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE AND FLEXIBLE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS.
The Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas microtransit zone was extended by the Unified Government Transportation (UGT) Department by 22 miles, expanding service coverage to a sizable service area and enabling weekend operations. Furthermore, passengers can now schedule same-day rides and pay within the IRIS app, which was not previously available. In addition, the department introduced IRIS, a new routing and booking system from RideCo that enables users to phone the UGT dispatch center, use the IRIS booking website, or request and pay for trips using the IRIS mobile app. 

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INNOVATION AWARD TO Marshall County Area Agency on Aging 
In recognition of embracing  meaningful technology and strengthening transit service in MarshallCounty.    This team has embraced meaningful technological change and, in doing so,  has strengthened transit not only for the residents of Marshall County but for Kansans across the state.  The heart of this nomination is the agency’s transition from paper-and-pencil dispatching and reporting to fully digital  he impact on reporting accuracy has been especially significant.  None of this happens without strong, willing leadership. Lead Dispatcher and Office Manager Stephanie  McClung, together with Director Ashley Slupianek, have shown genuine adaptability in adopting a new technology system
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CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION
 It is my pleasure to recognize Paige Sobrito for her dedication, professionalism, and commitment to ATA Bus. Throughout her time with our organization, Paige has consistently demonstrated a willingness to step up, embrace new challenges, and contribute beyond the expectations of her role as Staff Accountant. 
Over the past several years, our financial department has experienced significant transitions and periods of change. Through it all, Paige has remained a dependable presence, approaching challenges with professionalism and a level-headed attitude. She has adapted to changing responsibilities, remained focused during demanding periods, and helped provide stability for our organization when it was needed most. 
One of Paige's greatest strengths is her initiative and desire to learn. She is continually looking for opportunities to expand her knowledge in ways that strengthen ATA Bus as a whole. She has gone above and beyond to become more familiar with employee benefits administration and Davis-Bacon compliance, taking on responsibilities well outside the traditional scope of her accounting role. 
In addition to her willingness to learn, Paige is equally committed to helping others. She generously shares her knowledge and takes the time to train and support fellow employees whenever needed. Whether onboarding new staff, explaining complex processes, or assisting coworkers with unfamiliar tasks, she approaches training with patience, professionalism, and a positive attitude. 
Paige is dependable, thoughtful in her work, and always willing to help where she is needed. Her commitment to continuous improvement and her strong work ethic have made a meaningful impact on ATA Bus.  Paige's dedication to our mission, her resilience through organizational change, and her willingness to go above and beyond make her highly deserving of recognition within the public transit industry.
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TRANSIT SERVICE OF THE YEAR AWARD: TO  Allen Regional Transit  ART.  For its exceptional commitment to its community ad the state by expanding its service tewrritory meeting the transportation needs in rural Kansas.
Jeff  Keithly of Allen Regional Transit deserves the Transit Service of the Year Award for their exceptional commitment not only to their own community, but to the state as a whole.  When the  plea went out   in Paola for someone to champion the continuation of transit service in Miami County, ART answered that call. The need arose when the senior center, facing the increasing demands and rapid growth of public transportation needs, wanted to step back and refocus its efforts on serving seniors. As our search for a solution within the community was nearing its end, ART reached out and offered to step in and provide transit services to the area.  Allen Regional Transit was officially set to take over transportation services on July 1, 2026. However, when the Paola Senior Center faced serious challenges at the beginning of 2026, ART stepped in early to help support Paola even before the formal transition occurred.
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WILLIE MURRY AWARD
THIS YEAR KPTAs highest honor is given in recognition of  this individuals extraordinary dedication and contributions to public transit by providing distinguished service to the entire Kansas public transportation community.   This years honoree  has been instrumental in the everyday operations of the Reno County Area Transit (RCAT) rural service for the last 17 ½ years. She     was nominated and awarded the Walk of Fame at the National RTAP 2025 conference held last December. That award recognized exemplary staff in the rural and Tribal transit industry for their dedication, innovation, customer service and professionalism. She was one of nine nationally selected to receive this honor and here is why:   She has dedicated her talents and time to maintaining a transit service that is seamless, efficient, accessible and safe through the years of various pilots, software changes, federal updates, GTFS requirements and COVID. Her intuitiveness, ideas and positive attitude have been instrumental in the making of a customer-friendly transit experience. She goes above and beyond to ensure service is responsive in unexpected situations, supporting staff in their work journeys and growth, providing coaching and leadership for succession and focused on what entails good customer service. She often prioritizes client or organizational needs above personal gain. She is a consummate professional, trustworthy, and a truly outstanding individual who makes a difference in the world of rural transit.  

The Willie Murry Award is presented to RCAT Assistant Director 
Natalie Woods-Goertzen