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We at Metro Transit deliver environmentally sustainable transportation choices that link people, jobs and community conveniently, consistently and safely.
From General Manager Wes Kooistra
For the past 37 years, we have celebrated operators for their commitment to safety, customer service, and reliability through our Outstanding Operator program.
This year, COVID-19 precautions led us to cancel the annual Ovations awards brunch where operators who have repeatedly earned Outstanding Operator status are recognized. We hope to restore this tradition when it is safe to do so, perhaps as early as next year.
While we are unable to gather as we have in the past, it remains important to honor the operators who would have been applauded at this year’s event.
Had the Ovations brunch been held, more than 30 bus and train operators who have earned Outstanding Operator status for 5, 10, 15, 20 years or more would have been celebrated for reaching these remarkable milestones.
We would also have recognized East Metro Operator David Micklin, who is believed to be among just a few operators to earn Outstanding Operator status for 30 years, and a group of 13 operators who achieved 25 years of safe driving in 2019.
It has been an annual highlight and a true honor to personally thank operators like this during my time as general manager and during my time as regional administrator.
I very much regret that I cannot offer my congratulations in person, but I want to use this opportunity to extend my sincere appreciation and admiration to this year’s honorees, and to the 268 other operators who achieved Outstanding Operator status last year.
Simply put: the invaluable service you provide is the foundation for everything we do. Thank you.
Long-serving and dedicated operators have always been essential to our success. But they are especially vital now, as we confront so many changes and challenges at once.
As the past few months have demonstrated, we must respond to this pandemic with new ideas and an ability to adapt quickly. We will be called to be even more flexible and responsive in the months and years ahead.
While our operating environment is changing rapidly, we must remain rooted in the values that have defined our organization for the past century, and which are embodied by our Outstanding Operators.
It is these values – safety, reliability and customer service – that will set us apart in whatever new reality emerges from this pandemic.
Thank you again to each of you who are among this year’s honorees, and to the many other employees throughout the organization who have practiced these values throughout their careers.
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Every Friday, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in the previous week (ending Tuesday) will be reported in Insights. Managers and supervisors are encouraged to post this information at work sites.
Remember, Metro Transit employees can access free COVID-19 tests at HealthPartners and Park Nicollet drive-up sites, and at the HealthPartners Well@Work Clinic at the Heywood Office. To make a drive-up appointment, visit healthpartners.com and use the five-digit employer code 10397. To make an appointment at the Well@Work Clinic, call 952-967-7468.
Common COVID-19 symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, a fever, muscle or body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, or new loss of taste or smell.
View the latest data on COVID-19 cases, by worksite
“Boundaries” online series In Minnesota, the number one search term for self care is “boundaries.” In three online sessions, participants learn to identify values and priorities, explore obstacles, and learn how to set boundaries using non-violent communication skills.
All courses take place on Mondays from 12-12:30pm
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Sept. 28: Non-violent communication and positive consequences
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Nathan Michaelson, East Metro
Abdirashiid Haji, Nicollet
Mark Willegalle, Nicollet
Anastasia Bloodsaw, Ruter
Yeheyes Argaw, Green Line
10-Year Prestige Master Operators
Kenneth Johnson, East Metro
Michael Vermeersch, East Metro
15-Year Superior Master Operator
20-Year Elite Master Operators
Bruce Kowalchuk, East Metro
Tom Neng Vang, East Metro
David Micklin, East Metro
Congratulations to these 25-year safe operators
Jerry Pratt, #9376, Nicollet
Kenneth Phernetton, #6422, Nicollet
Gregory Strombeck, #9138, South
Scott Wohnoutka, #6224, South
Thomas Carey, #8957, Heywood
Robert Beadles, #8958, Heywood
Timothy Daniel, #9478, Ruter
Kenneth Johnson, #6375, East Metro
Joanne Tyler, #9306, East Metro
Kenneth Thomas, #6242, East Metro
Diane Beilke, #6240, East Metro
Richard Henke, #9382, East Metro
Kelly McKee, #1139, East Metro
Rachel Dungca (left), Matt Broughton (center), and Shannon Evans Engstrom (right) pose in front of US Bank Stadium as station ambassadors after a Vikings game.
As part of the Women in Transportation Seminar (WTS) Minnesota's annual awards, former Metro Transit intern Shannon Evans Engstrom received the 2020 Women to Watch award on Sept. 24. This award recognizes a woman who made a positive impact, distinguished herself, and demonstrated leadership in the transportation industry and is in the beginning of her career. Evans Engstrom is the first recipient of this new award.
For 7 months, Evans Engstrom served as a system performance intern where she supported the development and communication of about 25 Key Performance Indicators to present monthly to senior staff. Additionally, she worked on the agency's 2025 strategic plan and emphasized the importance of customer-focused language reflecting her experiences as a rider.
Her manager, Rachel Dungca, submitted her for consideration because she found her mix of skills, instinct for organizational culture, and breadth of experience to be unusual for someone early in their career. Based on her previous experience, she could describe how transit was important and relevant in conversations about housing, environmental policy and racial justice and that benefited conversations about strategic planning and performance measurement.
"I am excited to watch her career blossom and am positive her expertise and energy will bring new ideas, skills and improvement to her employers or partner organizations," Dungca said.
Evans Engstrom is focusing on research and currently works at the Institute on the Environment at the University of Minnesota.
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.
Years of service: 14 years
How did you come to work at Metro Transit? And what do you do?
Before coming to Metro Transit, I juggled a few positions working as a safety trainer, a driver for a school bus company, and was a co-owner of a small charter bus company. While attempting to get that business off the ground, I became a part-time weekend and holiday operator at Metro Transit. As problems grew for the charter bus company, I decided to sell my shares and go full time with Metro Transit. I made the right choice. I’m glad to be here.
What is your favorite part about working for Metro Transit?
I enjoy interacting with other bus operators in the garage. At Metro Transit, bus operators tend to look out for one another and are there for each other when they’re in need of help. Each garage has a bit of its own culture based on the operators who work there, which can change every quarter. I’ve enjoyed the differences in each of them. I’ve worked at three of the five garages: Heywood, South, and today I’m at East Metro.
What are your favorite activities when you’re not working or “Off the Clock?”
When I’m not steering a bus, I am stirring up batches of natural soaps and body butters. I first started making my own soaps years ago out of necessity. I have hypersensitive skin that goes with being a redhead and had difficulty finding commercial skin care products that weren’t irritating. Today, my sisters and I make soaps under the name Laughing Waters Soap & Skin Care in a studio in Cambridge. I envision turning the skin care line into a post-retirement job. But, I really enjoy my job, so I’m in no hurry to retire.
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Being a mentor or mentee can be a valuable experience in our professional lives. For the fourth year, we are offering the MentoringWorks Program; however, the 2021 program will be entirely virtual. It will look and feel different than previous ones, but it is still focused on fostering professional development through cross-division relationships and transfer of knowledge and skills.
Across the organization, Metro Transit employees’ work has been changed by the COVID-19 pandemic. These "In This Together" Q&As illustrate how employees are adapting both on and off the clock. Read more interviews here.
How has the pandemic affected your day-to-day work?
Normally, I'm a maintenance clerk at South Garage, but this year I became an assistant transportation manager (ATM) for six months in the Leadership Academy program.
In March as the pandemic began, I began my new role at East Garage. By changing roles, my day-to-day work was different, but due to COVID, the role I stepped into evolved as well. Daily conference calls were part of the job to coordinate any changes that happened frequently in protocol or pandemic response. We were learning and adapting as we discovered more about the virus.
What’s it like working through a pandemic?
I'm proud to have worked in this role during the pandemic because I was able to see and take part in a leadership role. When times are tough, great leadership is what keeps everything going. There were a lot of protocol changes, like rear-door boarding and shields to integrate and communicate to operators. And lots of changes inside the garage, too, like temperature taking, masks, and hand-washing protocols.
During my six months, there were a lot of questions and breaking information, so operators had concerns and needed someone to talk to and address any issues. As an ATM, part of the job is being like a counselor to operators when they have concerns or questions. I found that much of my job was spent talking to operators.
With the September service change, I've returned to my role at South, but I am thankful for my time and experience at East Metro during the pandemic.
How has your life changed outside of work?
I've got two kids, one son in 11th grade and a daughter in her first year of college. Both are living at home, but going to school online. This has added a little stress as my son is on the autistic spectrum -- I find myself having to check in with him while working to make sure he's staying on task. But, as a homebody, I found that the stay-at-home orders didn't bother me too much. It gave me time to work on my house and spend more time watching movies with my son -- we love DC and Marvel films.
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Customers tell us how we're doing
Nicollet Operator John Edwards recently received the following commendation from a customer who appreciated his help finding the right bus.
While riding Route 17, I didn’t realize it didn't go up Central Avenue. He asked me where I was going and even got out to help flag the Route 10 behind his bus to let me on. Your driver was amazing.
Jacob
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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:
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Monday, Sept. 21, 10am
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Tuesday, Sept. 29, 1pm
After 30 years of service, bus operator Daniel Thompson retired in April. Thompson didn’t originally plan on becoming an operator, but credits the pay and benefits for his long career at Metro Transit.
“I had seen those long, articulated buses, and I always thought it would be cool to drive them,” Thompson said. “I never thought I would end up doing it, but I did.”
A former Overhaul Base manager suggested Thompson apply to become a bus operator. “I had a family to provide for. It was a good opportunity,” said Thompson, who raised two sons and a daughter.
Thompson spent the majority of his career at South Garage with some time at Heywood. Throughout the decades, he discovered how important positive customer feedback was. Due to his manager’s approach, one such compliment stuck out. After a shift, he checked in with his manager regarding a complaint he received on Route 5. His manager shared it, but also a compliment from the very same day from a woman undergoing chemotherapy.
“It was glowing compliment about how I dealt with people,” Thompson said. “So the manager ripped up the complaint and said ‘this compliment is what we want to see.’”
In retirement, Thompson plans to trade his bus route for the open road with his wife, Bernadette, to visit national parks. He also plans for more family time by moving closer to his grandchildren near Alexandria, MN.
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View the print version of this week's Insights or continue reading on MetNet.
Metro Transit’s employee newsletter, Insights, is published weekly. Employees are invited to submit comments, letters to the editor and story ideas. Contact the editor at insights@metrotransit.org.
© 2020 Metro Transit
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