WSP, MARTA Take Top Honors in APTA Sustainability Program

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has awarded members WSP and Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) with Platinum and Gold recognition, respectively, in its Sustainability Commitment Program.

Public transit agencies and businesses that voluntarily join the APTA program “pledge to implement processes and actions that create continuous improvements in environmental, social and economic sustainability,” according to the association, and “report on their sustainability progress through a brief annual status update.” Since its launch in 2009, 126 companies have signed on and 48 have received higher-level (Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze) recognition based on “specific measurable achievements.”

WSP achieved the Platinum level honor for its Future Ready™ innovation program, which helps “transit clients create a more sustainable, prosperous and resilient society by evaluating how each project can anticipate and prepare for future changes in societal needs, resource availability, technology and climate.” In addition, with more than 160 employees certified in the Envision Rating System for Sustainable Infrastructure, WSP supported the California High-Speed Rail Authority in recently achieving Envision Platinum certification. Finally, the consulting firm has committed to achieving “net-zero emissions across its value chain by 2040, supported by science-based greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).”

MARTA earned Gold for successfully achieving ISO 55000 certification for its asset management program, and ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System certification at nine facilities. The agency is also expanding its Transit-Adjacent Development program; improving multimodal accessibility by partnering with the city of Atlanta, Ga., on a bike-share program, and installing bike racks and “fix-it” stations; and adding electric-vehicle charging stations to rail and bus station parking lots and structures, as well as maintenance facilities for employee use.

“We are thrilled to welcome our first APTA business member, WSP, to the Platinum level of our sustainability program and to recognize the continued work of MARTA as it builds its service for a more sustainable future,” APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas said. “From the supply chain changes at WSP to the growth at MARTA building better transit-oriented development and providing more accessibility for bike access to transit, these are just a few of the ways our members are making our industry more sustainable.”