Special to the WJH
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Southern Georgia Regional Transit (SGRT) has been recognized with the Frank J. Hill Outstanding Service Award by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT).
The award was presented to the organization during the 2025 Georgia Transit Association Annual Conference held here last month. This award celebrates SGRT’s exceptional contributions to advancing rural transit and delivering high-quality transportation services across Southern Georgia, which includes Ware, Pierce and Brantley counties in its 18-county area.
“We’re honored to receive the Frank J. Hill Outstanding Service Award,” said Megan Fowler, SGRT Transportation Director. “This recognition reflects the hard work and commitment of our entire team to provide safe, efficient, and customer- focused transit services that strengthen our communities.”
The Hill Award is presented annually to a transit system that exemplifies excellence in service and innovation. Nominees are evaluated on several key criteria, including:
• Commitment to improving rural transit;
• Quality of service;
• Use of innovative approaches; • Safety record of the system;
• Growth trends and new services;
• Performance in FTA compliance activities;
• Customer outreach and satisfaction.
Key Achievements of the Southern Georgia Regional Transit system include: • Launched transit program in July 2021 and completed 86,310 trips with 40 vehicles;
• Promoted public transit through unique vehicle wraps;
• Funded Transit Mobility Coordinator and leveraged TTFP funding for underserved clients;
• Maintained strong safety practices including driver profile reviews;
• Completed Agreed Upon Procedures Audit with zero findings for three consecutive years;
• Growth in One-Way Passenger Trips (OWPT) trips by fiscal year, FY2022–70,337, FY2023 –92,865, FY2024– 118,701, FY2025–116,338.
SGRT stood out among its peers for its dedication to expanding access to reliable transportation in rural communities, implementing innovative solutions to meet rider needs, and maintaining an outstanding safety record.
The agency’s proactive approach to customer engagement and its consistent compliance with federal standards further underscore its leadership in the transit industry.
The Georgia Transit Association’s Annual Conference brings together transit professionals from across the state to share best practices and celebrate achievements that enhance mobility for all Georgians. SGRT’s award highlights its role as a model for rural transit systems statewide.
For more information about Southern Georgia Regional Transit and its services, visit https://www.sgrc.us/public- transit-services.html
