Tag Archives: Awards

Afton Express and UVA Recognized for Sustainability and Transit Partnership

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This spring, the Afton Express and its partner, the University of Virginia (UVA), received two awards recognizing the route’s environmental impact and the strength of the regional partnership behind it.

On May 1, UVA honored the Afton Express at its annual Sustainability Leadership Awards luncheon. Paula Melester, Devon Thompson, and Danielle Gannon received the award on behalf of BRITE Transit and CSPDC alongside Kendall Howell and Patrick Clark of UVA Parking and Transportation.

The award recognizes the Afton Express and Wahoo Commute partnership, under which  UVA faculty, staff and students ride free, which supported 23,725 passenger trips in 2025. Those passenger trips eliminated an estimated 733,103 vehicle miles traveled and 260 metric tons of tailpipe emissions as compared to people driving alone, and the average rider saved approximately $5,500 in commuting costs including gas, vehicle wear and tear, and parking.

On May 20, the Virginia Transit Association (VTA) presented UVA’s Department of Parking and Transportation with its Outstanding Contribution by a Partner Award at the 2026 Annual Conference for its sustained role in advancing the Afton Express. The award, selected from nearly three dozen submissions by transit colleagues across the Commonwealth, cited UVA’s sustained financial investment, technical engagement during the recent service procurement process, and its Wahoo Commute incentive program, which rewards employees who choose transit and other alternatives to single-occupancy vehicles. In 2025, the Afton Express recorded nearly 24,000 total passenger boardings, with approximately 80 percent of riders affiliated with UVA, generating an estimated $872,751 in avoided commuting costs for UVA riders.

CSPDC and UVA will continue working together to grow ridership, strengthen service, and expand sustainable commuting options for travelers between Augusta County, Waynesboro, and Charlottesville.

 

Danielle Gannon Graduates from Virginia Transit Leadership Institute

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We are proud to share that Danielle Gannon, Transit Planner at CSPDC, has graduated from the Virginia Transit Association’s (VTA) Virginia Transit Leadership Institute (VTLI). The graduation ceremony was held during the VTA Annual Conference and Expo in Fredericksburg on May 19–20, 2026.

In August 2025, Danielle was selected to participate in the third cohort of VTLI, a nine-month intensive program designed to develop the next generation of transit leaders. Over the course of the program, Danielle joined peers from across Virginia’s transit providers for five immersive full-day sessions covering a broad range of transit-related topics. From legislation to funding to leadership development, service planning, and community outreach, the program offered a comprehensive, statewide perspective on public transportation.

The knowledge, professional connections, and leadership skills Danielle has gained through VTLI will directly benefit BRITE Transit and Afton Express operations, and we look forward to seeing the continued impact of her work in transit planning and commuter assistance in our region. Please join us in congratulating Danielle on this well-deserved milestone.

CSPDC Honored at ACEC Virginia Engineering Excellence Awards

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Pictured Left to Right: Jeff LaHood, Jon Oliver, Chloe Harwood, Paula Melester, Ann Cundy, Duncan Stewart, and Alan Saunders

The American Council of Engineering Companies of Virginia recognized CSPDC with a Merit Award for the Lewis Street Transit Hub Project at the 2026 Engineering Excellence Awards Gala on February 5th. The gala, held at the Dewey Gottwald Center at the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond, celebrated outstanding engineering achievements across the Commonwealth. CSPDC’s Executive Director, Ann Cundy and Director of Transportation Paula Melester joined Lewis Street Hub project team members Duncan Stewart (MBP), Alan Saunders (DRPT), and Chloe Harwood, Jeff LaHood, and Jon Oliver (all of Kimley-Horn) for the evening’s festivities. Paula and Jeff LaHood accepted the award on behalf of the project team. 

The Lewis Street Transit Hub, completed in August 2024, represents a significant investment in BRITE Transit’s regional infrastructure and passenger experience. The Merit Award recognizes the project’s achievement in innovation, complexity, and value — a testament to the strong collaborative effort among CSPDC, Kimley-Horn, MBP, and DRPT throughout planning, design, and construction. CSPDC is proud to share this recognition with all the partners who helped bring this important transit facility to life. 

Augusta Health Awarded Outstanding Business Partner at CTAV Conference

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Image of CSPDC and Augusta Health Staff holding an award plaque

The Community Transportation Association of Virginia (CTAV) honored Augusta Health with its Outstanding Business Partner Award at the Annual Conference and Expo, recognizing the hospital’s partnership, engagement, and commitment to public transportation in the region. Augusta Health Community Outreach Manager Abby Calvert, pictured above with CSPDC staff, attended to accept the award. CTAV’s Outstanding Business Partner Award recognizes exceptional support for community transportation throughout Virginia.

As a dedicated funding and community partner for BRITE Bus, Augusta Health exemplifies how healthcare organizations can support mobility for all. Through partnering to provide fare-free rides to all Augusta Health facilities, purchasing farecards in bulk for community distribution, and advocating for accessibility through the BRITE Transit Advisory Committee, Augusta Health’s partnership removes transportation barriers to accessing healthcare and other essential services throughout the region.  Their multifaceted commitment to healthcare access demonstrates how strengthened regional transportation networks can advance community health was applauded and recognized through this award.