The South West Transit Association (SWTA) recently recognized bipartisan leadership in Congress by presenting its 2026 Legislator of the Year Award during the Association’s Annual Legislative Breakfast in Washington, D.C.

This year, SWTA honored Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) for their collaborative leadership in advancing legislation that strengthens public transportation systems across the country. The awards were presented at Bullfeathers in Washington, D.C., where transit leaders from across the SWTA region gathered to discuss national transportation priorities with federal policymakers.

Senators Gallego and Moran were recognized for their work introducing Senate Bill 2957, legislation designed to strengthen the Federal Transit Administration’s Small Transit Intensive Cities (STIC) Program. The proposal increases the STIC set-aside from 3 percent to 5 percent, helping improve efficiency and service capacity for transit systems serving communities with populations between 50,000 and 200,000 residents.

The legislation enhances access to federal transit funding while maintaining overall federal spending levels—an approach SWTA applauds as both practical and bipartisan.

“Strong public transportation systems are fundamental to economic growth, workforce connectivity, and providing essential mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities, while improving overall quality of life throughout the SWTA region,” said Kendra McGeady, President of the South West Transit Association. “We commend Senator Moran and Senator Gallego for their bipartisan leadership in advancing policies that help communities nationwide deliver efficient, high-quality transit service and generate lasting economic benefits.”

SWTA’s Annual Legislative Breakfast brings together transit agency executives, board members, and industry partners from across the Association’s eight-state region to engage with federal policymakers and discuss priorities critical to strengthening public transportation.

Founded in 1980, the South West Transit Association represents public transit agencies and transportation stakeholders across Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Through education, collaboration, and federal advocacy, SWTA works to ensure communities of all sizes have access to safe, reliable, and efficient public transportation.

For more information about SWTA, visit www.SWTA.org.