Since this summer, the Transit Response Unit (TRU) team has been using data to proactively address customers’ concerns like disorderly conduct, smoking, drinking, and other inappropriate behaviors.  

“We are combining technological resources a such as crime data, the use of video technology in real time, and the direct concerns voiced by our customers and employees,’’ Capt. Rick Grates, who heads the department’s patrol division said.  

The TRU team is a Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) unit compromised of up to seven officers and a sergeant who interact and ride with customers in areas informed by data. On any given day or week, these officers could be anywhere in the seven-county system.  

“Although the team operates independently from normal 911 response duties, they are actually a supplement to our 911 response units by focusing on problem areas when a 911 response car might be called away,’’ Grates said.  

On a recent midday, a uniformed TRU team under Sgt. Tim Lawrence showed up unexpectedly in downtown St. Paul. Officers talked with small groups clustered on the sidewalk, hopped on buses to ask operators how their trips were going, and were available for people waiting at bus stops to share their concerns.   

“We look at where the trouble areas are every day,” Lawrence said. “Then we develop strategies whether to use plainclothes details, put them in uniforms, or have a couple in uniform, and a couple of plainclothes officers on a train.” 

Last month, they arrested seven juveniles connected to an aggravated robbery, an uncommon crime on Metro Transit’s system. Those arrests occurred because the TRU team already had officers out there to address less serious crimes that affect customers’ comfort level.  

“Operators will appreciate that MTPD is reviewing complaints and crime stats and going to the locations most likely to result in positive outcomes,”  said Christy Bailly, Director of Bus Operations. 

Through August, the team had made 31 arrests ranging from aggravated robbery, to people wanted on warrants to narcotics violations.  In one work week, they rode 154 trains and performed 247 bus operator checks. 

The TRU team consists of Officers Tommy Eam, Ahmad Kahin, Xiong Lor, Aubrey Olson, Mike Olson, Amanda St. George, and Canon Yang. 

As Network Next seeks input from in-person surveys, it's an invitation for staff to not only help inform the future of transit, but hear about the impact Metro Transit has on people's lives.   

Recent surveys continue to inform us with stories about how essential service is not only for daily life, but especially during this unprecedented year. From doctor's visits to job interviews, customers share how they appreciate being able to still get to where they need to go. But, we need help collecting more surveys to better represent all of our customers.  

Network Next is a 20-year plan to inform the future of transit and identify the next generation of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors.

To help Network Next and hear customer appreciation first-hand, sign up here.  

Staff desiring to participate during normal work hours will need to check with their manager/supervisor prior to signing up. 

Facing many unknowns, the bus operator mentor program's regularly scheduled in-person gatherings stopped in March.  "Operators were starting to feel more isolated in a job that can already feel isolating," Alec Johnson, mentor coordinator, said. "We couldn't just wait; we have an obligation to keep this program going to help operators." 

With pandemic protocol, the previous format of large in-person group meetings wouldn't work, so Johnson decided to host more meetings, but with smaller groups of six. Given the fluidity of pandemic schedules, he found the job became too complex to coordinate alone, so he requested his "dream team" of four mentors. 

This August, Lee Estis, Keith Howard, Stephan Majors, and Skye Saygbe joined him to support the program's new approach which helped them triple the amount of connections in a short period of time. In two months, they hosted events attended by 210. In one month, they connected mentors and mentees with 85 ride-alongs. 

"Whether it's a gathering or a ride-along, operators have lots of questions that you can help clear up," Estis said. "It's shocking how much misinformation is out there." 

Events are aimed at being an open forum with certain topics, but a ride-along also provides an opportunity to not only help a new operator with the technical aspects of the job, but answer burning questions. "Sometimes an operator learns about something on a piece of paper and they're supposed to interpret it themselves," Majors said. "Mentors can help answer questions and understand any policy changes." 

Since 2018, the mentor program connected new-hire operators during four phases to support operators and help them succeed on the job. "It's rewarding to connect new operators and to help fellow operators, many who haven't seen one another for months," Saygbe said. 

The innovations to keep operators connected continues this October and November as 65 mentees who are part of this apprenticeship program will graduate in a similar fashion, in smaller groups. 

An Employee Resource Group (ERG) is an organizationally supported group of employees sharing a common characteristic or interest (e.g., gender, ethnicity or race, sexual orientation, generation, special interest) or allies of that group. Staff interested in leading, supporting, or joining an LGBTQIA-focused ERG are invited to attend an upcoming virtual session: 

• Monday, Sept. 21, 10am 
• Tuesday, Sept. 29, 1pm 

Contact Sarah Berres to receive an invitation.

 Employees are invited to show off their creative mask-making skills and provide a face mask to the community by participating in a friendly competition as part of the annual Charitable Giving Campaign, which will be held in October.  

Employees will be invited to vote for their favorite masks online and the top vote-getters will win prizes. All but the top three masks will be given to charity. To participate, create a home-made face mask and e-mail a photo to Julie Obedoza. Masks can also be delivered to Julie through inter-office mail or standard mail (570 North Sixth Avenue, Minneapolis, 55411).  

Submissions are due by Wednesday, Sept. 30, and voting will run from Wednesday, Oct. 6, through Friday, Oct. 9. Winners will be announced by Monday, Oct. 12.   

Throughout the Charitable Giving Campaign, employees will be invited to enroll in automatic payroll deductions to support the eligible charity of their choice.