As 2025 comes to a close, the Southwest Transit Association reflects on a year marked by milestones, innovation, and a strong community spirit across our eight-state SWTA Nation — Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. From meaningful connections and national leadership moments to member-driven innovation and advocacy, 2025 demonstrated the power of collaboration and the impact of public transit across the Southwest. What a year it has been.
A Year of Connection
One of the defining features of 2025 was the energy and engagement of SWTA’s signature events. The year kicked off with the Annual Conference & EXPO in Tucson, Arizona, bringing together hundreds of transit professionals, vendors, and partners for four days of education, collaboration, and connection. With dozens of educational sessions and a vibrant EXPO floor, the conference showcased innovation across leadership, safety, technology, and zero-emission transit — all fueled by the shared passion of SWTA Nation.
Later in the year, the SWTA family reunited for Summer U in New Orleans, Louisiana, hosted in partnership with the Louisiana Public Transit Association. The joint conference blended hands-on training, expert panels, and peer learning, creating meaningful opportunities for professionals across operations, maintenance, management, and marketing. True to SWTA tradition, the event balanced professional development with relationship-building, reinforcing the sense of community that defines the association.
Members Leading the Way
Throughout 2025, SWTA members across the region continued to lead with innovation, resilience, and creativity. From community engagement campaigns and zero-emission fleet expansions to new mobility solutions and service redesigns, members exemplified what it means to put people first in public transit. This year’s SWTA Spotlight Awards highlighted the exceptional work happening on the ground — honoring agencies for impactful marketing, regional collaboration, and programs that expanded access and strengthened community connections. Together, SWTA members once again proved that rural, Tribal, regional, and urban transit can set the standard for excellence.
Advocacy and Leadership in Action
Advocacy remained a cornerstone of SWTA’s work in 2025. Through long-standing traditions like the Bull Feathers Breakfast, members shared success stories from their communities and discussed transit priorities through conversation and camaraderie. Throughout the year, SWTA leaders, board members, and partners worked collaboratively to advance funding priorities, promote practical policy, and ensure transit voices were heard. These efforts helped strengthen investment, improve flexibility for smaller systems, and reinforce the importance of public transit across the region and beyond.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Momentum is already building for the year ahead. In 2026, SWTA will host its Annual Conference & EXPO in Albuquerque, New Mexico, promising another dynamic gathering for transit professionals across the Southwest. Planning is also underway for Bull Feathers 2026 in Washington, D.C., where members will once again come together to advocate for transit and strengthen federal relationships.
SWTA is also encouraged by continued growth in membership, reflecting the value of collaboration, shared learning, and collective advocacy across SWTA Nation. Adding to this excitement, SWTA proudly announced Model 1 Commercial Vehicles as the Headline Sponsor of the 2026 Annual Conference & EXPO — a partnership that highlights strong industry support for the work ahead.
As we turn the page to 2026, SWTA does so with gratitude, momentum, and confidence. Thank you to our members, partners, sponsors, and leaders for making 2025 a year worth celebrating. We can’t wait to see what’s next for SWTA Nation.
