GRTC Transit System is tops in the nation.

The American Public Transportation Association says the Richmond-area transit system is the best of its size in the country. GRTC beat the other systems in the APTA's contest among systems that log between 4 million and 30 million rides annually.

"This is the highest honor that can be awarded in our industry," said John M. Lewis Jr., GRTC's chief executive officer.

Transit systems were judged on efficiency, safety, customer service, management and marketing, among other areas.

The award will be presented to GRTC officials at the APTA annual meeting in San Diego in October.