Above: LBT President and CEO, Kenneth A. McDonald, IT Executive Director/VP, Pretty George, and Host of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort receiving the award on March 30, 2026.

Long Beach, CA – Long Beach Transit (LBT) received the ThinkTransit Award of Excellence in the category of Excellence in Transit Technology Planning & Partnerships. The award was presented March 30 at the ThinkTransit Conference in Boston, Mass.  

The ThinkTransit Awards of Excellence recognize transit agencies that demonstrate leadership, innovation, and forward-thinking strategies in advancing transit technologies. LBT’s recognition highlights its commitment to modernizing systems, strengthening strategic partnerships, and enhancing the customer experience with technology. 

“Long Beach Transit is honored to be recognized on a national stage for our work in transit technology planning,” said Kenneth A. McDonald, President and CEO. “This award reflects the dedication of our Information Technology Department and our strong partnership with Vontas to deliver safe, reliable, and innovative service for our customers.” 

LBT earned the award for advancing technology to strengthen its operating systems ahead of major special events. In partnership with Vontas, the agency aligned its strategic priorities of safety, financial accountability and employee engagement to elevate the customer experience. 

As part of these efforts, LBT is upgrading its core transit technology system with built-in backup capabilities to improve reliability and reduce downtime. The agency also introduced a communication system that automatically switches between cellular and radio networks to keep buses connected. 

In addition, new automated bus signage updates will provide more accurate, real-time route information for customers while reducing the need for manual changes. 

These improvements position the agency to meet future demand while connecting communities and making everyday life better through safe and reliable transportation.  

For more information about the ThinkTransit Awards and this year’s recipients, click here.

About Long Beach Transit  

Long Beach Transit is dedicated to connecting communities and moving people, making everyday life better by providing transportation services in Long Beach, Lakewood, Signal Hill, as well as Artesia, Bellflower, Carson, Cerritos, Compton, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, Los Alamitos, Norwalk, Paramount and Seal Beach. For more information, visit ridelbt.com.  

About Vontas 

With decades of experience in transit, Vontas leads in ITS solutions, offering flexible, interoperable systems that reduce costs, enhance security, and ensure seamless integration. Vontas’ in-house customer care team provides hands-on support and drives innovation, helping agencies stay ahead of trends to deliver reliable, future-ready transit services. Visit vontas.com for more information.