Special to the WJH VALDOSTA — The Southern Georgia Regional Commission has been selected to receive a 2026 Excellence in Regional Transportation Award from the National Association of Development Organizations for its Regional Transit Implementation project.
The award, presented by the NADO Research Foundation and RPO America, recognizes noteworthy projects and practices in rural and small metropolitan transportation planning, program delivery, and special initiatives.
Award winners received national recognition during the 2026 National Regional Transportation Conference this week in Atlanta.
“The Excellence in Regional Transportation Awards program showcases effective and creative transportation initiatives that improve accessibility, mobility, safety, and quality of life in regions around the United States,” said NADO President and Piedmont Triad Regional Council Executive Director Matthew Dolge. “Pro-grams and projects like Southern Georgia Regional Commission’s Regional Transit Implementation foster community and economic connections and promote effective transportation networks.”
SGRC’s Regional Transit Implementation project represents a major regional effort to unify and expand public transportation across its 18county service area in South Georgia.
Prior to the initiative, transit services across the region were fragmented and limited, particularly in rural communities.
SGRC addressed these challenges by developing and implementing a coordinated regional transit system designed to provide safe, reliable, and efficient transportation through one integrated network.
Through this project, SGRC Regional Transit has improved mobility and access for residents across Southern Georgia, helping connect individuals to employment, healthcare, education, shopping, and other essential services.
Since its launch on July 1, 2021, the system has continued to grow and evolve through expanded service, operational improvements, and longterm planning efforts.
The program has also demonstrated measurable success, with ridership increasing from approximately 70,000 one-way passenger trips in FY2022 to more than 118,000 trips in FY2024.
The initiative also reached a major milestone with the completion of the Southern Georgia Regional Transit Development Plan in 2025, providing a strategic path for continued growth and improved regional mobility.
The project is led by SGRC Transportation Director and Valdosta-Lowndes MPO Director Megan Fowler, who oversees the transit program’s planning, grant and fund administration, compliance, and system development.
SGRC’s work is supported through partnerships with the Georgia Department of Transportation, the Georgia Department of Human Services, and Resource Management Systems, Inc., which serves as the contracted transportation operator.
SGRC Regional Transit continues to serve as a critical transportation resource for residents throughout Southern Georgia, strengthening access, supporting local communities, and improving quality of life across the region.
For information about the SGRC Regional Transit program, call (229) 333-5277.
