The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has been named the nation's best transit agency, and officials want everyone to know it.

County supervisor and Metro board chair Gloria Molina accepted the Outstanding Transportation System for 2006 award from the American Public Transportation Association in San Jose on Tuesday.

"This award is really for the 9,000-plus men and women working at Metro who earned it by tending to the unique needs of Los Angeles," Molina said.

"They are the heart and soul of this agency, and this award really is a testament to their capabilities. But this is also L.A.'s award, because without our loyal customers, we would not be celebrating today," Molina said.

Seeking to capitalize on the award, the MTA launched a promotional campaign today featuring the award to boost ridership on its buses and trains.

The theme of the new campaign is, "Ride America's Best."

"Texas has an old saying -- 'if it's true, it ain't braggin" -- so I guess I should say we are the best and we are going to be promoting this as we go forward," said Metro CEO Roger Snoble.