news release
Senior Resource Association (SRA), which operates Indian River Transit GoLine, received the 2026 Outstanding Public Transportation System Award at the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) TRANSform & EXPO in Chicago, earning the top national recognition in the category for systems providing fewer than three million annual passenger trips. The honor marks GoLine’s first national APTA award and recognizes exceptional achievement across safety, operations, customer service, fiscal stewardship, innovation, and community impact.
“National recognition from APTA tells our employees and our community that what we are doing here in Indian River County is something special,” said Karen Deigl, SRA President & CEO. “We have been fortunate to receive recognition in Florida over the years, but being named the outstanding public transportation system in the country in our size category is something we will always be proud of.”
A Fare-Free System Built Around Community Needs
GoLine operates 14 fixed routes throughout Indian River County, connecting riders with employment, schools, medical care, shopping, beaches, and essential services and its fare-free model has been central to its accessibility and growth.
“Our system is built around the idea that public transportation should be simple, dependable, timely, and accessible,” said Deigl. “We have tried to build a transit system around the community rather than expecting the community to adapt to the transit system.”
Ridership has increased in 15 of the past 16 years, with the system exceeding 1.6 million passenger trips in FY2025-26, marking the highest ridership in GoLine’s 36‑year history.
Exceptional Safety, Operations, and Fiscal Stewardship
GoLine’s achievements reflect a decade of disciplined management and operational excellence:
- Lowest operating cost per passenger trip in Florida for 10 consecutive years
- Preventable accident rate below 0.1 per 100,000 miles, with zero fatalities
- 99.6% of vehicles receiving preventive maintenance within 6,000 miles of required intervals
- Complaint rates reduced to 0.13% of trips — one complaint for every 30,483 passenger trips
“Ridership numbers tell you how many trips we provided, but they don’t tell you what those trips meant,” said Chris Stephenson, SRA Director of Transportation. “Inside that bus are dozens of different reasons people need transportation, and each one represents an opportunity, an appointment, a paycheck, or a connection to the community.”
Stephenson added that transit must anticipate growth, not simply react to it.
“When new housing, medical facilities, shopping areas, and employment centers are developed, transportation becomes part of the infrastructure needed to support that growth. We want public transportation to be part of those conversations early.”
Statewide Recognition and Strong County Partnership
GoLine’s national honor follows multiple state-level awards, including the Florida Public Transportation Association’s Outstanding System of the Year in 2017, 2022, and 2025.
The system’s success is rooted in collaboration with Indian River County, the Board of County Commissioners, and the Indian River County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). County leaders emphasized that the award reflects years of disciplined stewardship and a shared commitment to public service.
“GoLine delivers exceptional value to the taxpayers of Indian River County,” said Commissioner Deryl Loar, Chairman of the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners. “Year after year, the system has provided safe, reliable, fare-free transportation while maintaining one of the lowest operating costs in the state. This award reflects disciplined stewardship and a commitment to serving our residents with excellence.”
MPO leadership echoed the importance of transit in shaping the county’s future.
“This recognition highlights how essential public transportation is to the future of Indian River County,” said Brian Freeman, Director of the Indian River County MPO. “As our community grows, GoLine’s ability to adapt, expand, and connect people to opportunity will play a critical role in shaping a more accessible, resilient, and connected county.”
A Model for Community Focused Transit
Deigl emphasizes that excellence in public transportation is not defined by an agency’s size but by its commitment to the people it serves.
“Our goal isn’t necessarily to build the biggest transit system. It’s to build the right transit system for Indian River County,” said Deigl. “If we keep listening to our passengers, employees, community partners, and County leadership, I think we are well-positioned to do so.”
Senior Resource Association, Inc. (SRA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the Area Agency on Aging’s designated Lead Agency for home and community-based care for the elderly in Indian River County. Since 1974, SRA continues to provide essential services and support for the community’s older adults and their families. Promoting independence and dignity for all adults, SRA programs include Meals on Wheels, DayAway Adult Enrichment & Respite, In-Home Services, Guardianship, Supportive Services, as well as public and door-to-door transportation services. SRA is the Community Transportation Coordinator for Indian River and Martin counties, as designated by the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged. SRA has operated Indian River County’s public transit program, GoLine, since 1992. To learn more, visit www.SeniorResourceAssociation.org.
