OMAHA, Neb. — Officials with the Southwest Iowa Transit Agency (SWITA) have announced that Driver Steve Herrington was nationally recognized last week as the 2026 Frontline Hero Award recipient by the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA), one of the public transportation industry’s highest honors recognizing exemplary frontline service and dedication to community.
Herrington received the award on Wednesday, May 13th, during CTAA’s National EXPO conference at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, where transportation professionals from across the country gathered to celebrate innovation, leadership, and excellence in community transportation.
Since joining SWITA in December 2022, Herrington has become known throughout the organization for his cheerfulness, professionalism, compassion, flexibility, and unwavering commitment to the people he serves. Riders, coworkers, dispatch staff, and community partners consistently praise his positive attitude, calm demeanor, and willingness to step forward whenever help is needed.
Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO) Executive Director John McCurdy said in a new release, “SWITA drivers are special people and do an incredibly important but challenging job. Steve represents the best of what you want to see in a true public servant. I’ve never seen him without a positive attitude. He approaches every day with a genuine commitment to serving others. This national recognition is incredibly well deserved.”
Herrington’s impact extends far beyond safely transporting passengers. He regularly assists with training new drivers, adjusts his schedule to meet operational needs, and maintains a strong awareness of rider and community needs throughout southwest Iowa. Although he goes above and beyond day in and day out, the award highlighted two moments over the past year to exemplify why Herrington was selected as a “Frontline Hero.”
In one instance, a young student rider passed away in a non-transit-related accident in Atlantic. Upon learning of the tragedy, before any formal call for help, Herrington immediately sprang into action to check on and console the family, almost all of whom were his riders. When SWITA employees organized an internal fundraiser to assist the family with expenses, Herrington personally delivered the donation.
The second occasion was during a fast-moving blizzard that shut down portions of Interstate 80 and stranded motorists in dangerous winter conditions, local authorities contacted SWITA for emergency assistance transporting stranded travelers to safe shelter. Herrington immediately volunteered to respond.
Navigating severe weather and hazardous road conditions, Herrington safely transported 20 stranded individuals, along with two cats and a dog, ten miles in near white out conditions into Atlantic for shelter and safety. After completing those emergency transports, he continued assisting the community by helping transport discharged hospital patients to shelter locations.
“This just goes to show how special Steve is, because he really stands out in a group of really good drivers and people that care,” said Southwest Iowa Transit Agency Transit Director Mark Lander. “For him to go to the top of that summit, that really shows something about Steve. I think throughout the state and throughout the country our rural transit drivers are really great.”
SWITA congratulates Steve Herrington on this outstanding national achievement and thanks him for the compassion, professionalism, and service he demonstrates every day across southwest Iowa. For more information about SWITA and the transportation services available throughout the region, visit SWITA.com or call 800-842-8065 or 712-243-2518. Community members can also follow SWITA on Facebook for service updates and announcements.
