Three Rivers Hiawathaland Transit Wins the 2026 Transit System of the Year Award
Three members of the Transportation Team holding the award.
Members of the Three Rivers Hiawathaland Transit team traveled to St. Cloud to attend the Minnesota Public Transit Association (MPTA) Conference, where the organization was honored with the 2026 Transit System of the Year Award. MPTA presents this award annually to recognize transit organizations that demonstrate excellence in operations, safety, and maintenance, implement strong agency policies, and continuously improve their services to enhance the experience for riders. This recognition highlights Three Rivers Hiawathaland Transit’s commitment to creating economic and social opportunities through public transportation. It also reflects the dedication and hard work of our entire team in providing accessible transportation to our communities while maintaining the high standards that support a strong and effective transit system.
Dianne Ford, Transportation Co-Director, shared the following remarks when accepting the award:
“It is truly an honor to accept the Transit System of the Year award on behalf of our entire transit team. This award represents the hard work, dedication, and commitment of the people who make our system successful every day. From our drivers, maintenance team, dispatchers, support staff, and leadership, every person plays an important role in serving our communities. This recognition belongs to all of us, and I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together. Thank you for this honor and we can’t wait to congratulate our entire team. This award is a reflection of what we can achieve when we all work together towards the same goal.”
Three Rivers Hiawathaland Transit remains committed to strengthening its services, supporting its employees, and creating better transportation opportunities for the communities it serves. This award inspires us to continue building on our progress and working together toward an even stronger future for public transportation.