Transdev Team Honored and Recognized at the 2026 LIT Leadership Summit
Transdev was proud to be recognized and represented at the 2026 LIT Leadership Summit, where Assistant General Manager of Transdev’s Houston METROLift Paratransit, Adam Beltran II, graduated from the LIT Leadership Academy, and Transdev was honored with the LIT Legacy Membership Award.
The annual summit brought together transit professionals from across North America to share ideas, develop leadership skills, and explore innovative solutions to industry challenges. For Beltran, the experience offered a unique opportunity to grow professionally while collaborating with peers from across the public transportation industry.
”Going through the program opened my eyes to what else is out there in the transit industry. It was a great learning experience and a chance to build relationships with people from across the industry. You never know who you’re going to meet or what you might learn from someone else’s perspective.”
Adam Beltran IIAssistant General Manager, Transdev Houston METROLift Paratransit
Beltran, who serves as Assistant General Manager for Transdev’s Houston METROLift Paratransit operation, was nominated for the program by Senior Vice President Paul Buharin, who recognized Beltran’s commitment to professional growth and leadership development. The academy is a six-month commitment running from March through September, requiring participants to balance coursework, team projects, and industry research while maintaining their day-to-day responsibilities.
“Being organized and managing my time was critical,” said Beltran. “The scheduling was challenging at times, especially when we were working with people from coast to coast, but the experience was definitely worth it.”
As part of the program’s Leading in Middle Management track, Beltran joined a seven-member cohort that researched and presented a white paper and panel discussion titled Improved Operational Efficiency in Transit Through Smart Scheduling and Workforce Stability. The team explored strategies for improving transit operations while addressing workforce challenges that impact service delivery.
One of the key findings that resonated with Beltran was the role of mandatory overtime in transit operations.
”Mandatory overtime is often a symptom, not the root cause. It raises important questions about retention, recruiting, and workforce stability. We wanted to look beyond the overtime itself and understand why organizations are relying on it in the first place.”
Adam Beltran IIAssistant General Manager, Transdev Houston METROLift Paratransit
Drawing from his own operational experience, Beltran connected the research findings to challenges and opportunities within his Houston Paratransit operation. He also gained new ideas from summit sessions focused on employee recruitment and retention, including programs that pair new operators with experienced mentors.
“That first year can be tough for a new operator,” he said. “Having someone who has been through the experience and can serve as a mentor could make a real difference. It’s something I’d like to explore implementing locally because retaining employees starts with supporting them from day one.”
Alongside celebrating individual leadership development, Transdev was recognized for its long-standing support of LIT over the last decade. During LIT’s 10th anniversary celebration, the organization presented Transdev with the LIT Legacy Membership Award, recognizing private-sector partners whose sustained commitment and membership support helped strengthen the organization during its first decade.
The award highlights organizations that have consistently invested in LIT’s mission to advance leadership development, workforce initiatives, professional education, mentorship opportunities, and networking across the public transportation industry. Transdev was among a select group of private-sector organizations honored for their partnership and contributions to the growth of the organization.
The dual recognition of Beltran’s academy graduation and Transdev’s Legacy Membership Award reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to developing leaders, supporting industry collaboration, and investing in the future of public transportation.
“As an industry, we can learn a lot from each other,” stated Beltran. “I’d encourage anyone who’s considering the academy to do it. The networking, the learning opportunities, and the chance to gain new perspectives make it an incredible experience.”
