BJCTA Earns Two National Honors at COMTO’s 55th Annual Industry Awards

BJCTA August 3, 2026Announcements

BJCTA Earns Two National Honors at COMTO’s 55th Annual Industry Awards

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA), operator of MAX Transit, is proud to announce it has received two national awards from the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) during the organization’s 55th National Meeting & Training Conference in Washington, D.C.

The awards were presented on July 28, 2026, during COMTO’s annual Industry Awards Ceremony, which recognizes outstanding leadership, innovation, and excellence across the transportation industry.

BJCTA was honored with:

• The 2026 Industry Innovation Award which recognizes an individual, organization, city, or region that has introduced measurable innovations to improve mobility, public safety, and reliable transportation service through technology or other innovative approaches.
• The Thomas G. Neusom Founders’ Leadership Award is COMTO’s highest honor. It recognizes transportation executives and policymakers who have provided outstanding leadership, supported the development of transportation professionals, and demonstrated continued service to COMTO and its mission.

“Receiving national recognition from COMTO is an incredible honor for our organization,” said Charlotte Shaw, CEO of BJCTA. “These awards reflect the dedication of our employees, the strength of our partnerships, and our commitment to providing innovative, accessible, and customer-focused transportation solutions throughout Jefferson County. We are proud to be recognized among transportation leaders from across the country.”

The Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) is one of North America’s leading organizations dedicated to advancing opportunities and excellence in the transportation industry. Its annual Industry Awards celebrate individuals and organizations whose work has made a significant impact across all modes of transportation.

The recognition comes during a year of continued innovation for BJCTA, including the expansion of MAX On-Demand service into the communities of Homewood, Irondale, and Mountain Brook, the launch of the new MAX Connect mobile app, and ongoing investments in improving customer experience and expanding mobility options throughout the region.

“This recognition belongs to our entire team,” Shaw added. “Every employee plays a role in moving our mission forward, and these awards reinforce that the work happening at BJCTA is making an impact not only locally, but nationally.”

Additional details regarding the specific award categories will be shared following COMTO’s official publication of the 2026 Industry Award recipients.