From Ryan McTeague, Director-Light Rail Vehicle Maintenance

Entering the year, we knew expanding the Hiawatha Operations & Maintenance Facility would make it difficult to use the facility where many of our light rail vehicles are stored and maintained.

What we could not anticipate is that these construction challenges would coincide with a pandemic.

Thankfully, our team continues to have an amazing attitude and is responding with patience, flexibility and resourcefulness. Truly, I could not be prouder of the work we’re doing.

One of the hardest jobs we have, in any year, is to keep our vehicles as clean as possible. But maintaining a clean environment in our shared workspaces and on our trains has become an even higher priority this year as we do our part to help combat the spread of COVID-19.

Today, our maintenance team is not only performing their regular duties but working together to carefully disinfect each train before it goes back into service.

At the same time, we have been busy exploring ways to enhance the filtration systems on our vehicles without compromising vehicle performance. We are optimistic this work will lead to improvements that will remain important long after the pandemic subsides.

Our COVID-19 initiatives are especially impressive because they are occurring against the backdrop of an expansion project at the Hiawatha Operations & Maintenance Facility.

As crews add onto the north side of the building, we must carefully plan out train movements and ongoing maintenance activities. At times, we have lost access to work areas and locker rooms.

While this has been a year of many challenges, it will also be remembered as a turning point for our department.

When construction is complete, our expanded facility will have room to store and maintain more than two dozen additional light rail vehicles that will operate on the Green Line Extension. Some of these trains will begin entering service this winter as we prepare for the extension’s 2023 opening.

A new wash rack that will be finished next spring will also make it easier to clean and add sand to light rail vehicles.

Several other long sought improvements have also moved forward this year, including the installation of cameras that provide high-definition real-time video and plastic seats that will be easier to keep clean.

Taken together, the challenges we’ve seen this year may have seemed insurmountable. I want to thank our employees for meeting every one of them head on, and to thank staff throughout the organization who have helped us along the way.

The effort that’s been put forward has been nothing short of inspirational, and I am honored to be a part of this team.

All on-site essential employees are encouraged to take a COVID-19 test at least once before the end of the year, even if they are not showing symptoms.

Several free testing options are available to employees and their family members. In most cases, no appointments or insurance is required.

Remember: If you suspect mild symptoms or have been identified as a close contact, immediately contact your medical provider and alert your manager.

Testing options include:

Community Testing Sites: Free testing is available every day the Starlite Center in Brooklyn Park, the Minneapolis Convention Center, the MSP Airport and the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul. Other locations are offering tests on a more limited schedule. Appointments are suggested. To make an appointment and see a full list of sites and hours visit mn.gov/covid19 or call 1-855-612-0677.

HealthPartners drive-up clinic: Employees who have a HealthPartners medical plan can schedule a video screening that will help determine whether they should go to a drive-up testing site or seek more immediate care. COVID-19 tests and treatment are fully covered for HealthPartners members. For more information, visit healthpartners.com/coronavirus or call 612-339-3663.

Well@Work Clinic: Asymptomatic employees may schedule a COVID-19 test at the Council’s Well@Work Clinic, located in the Heywood Office, 560 N. Sixth Ave., Minneapolis. To make an appointment, call 952-967-7468. 

At-home test kit: COVID-19 test kits that can be self-administered are available to select on-site essential employees. Saliva samples will be sent to a lab and results will be available within 48 to 72 hours. The state is also offering free at-home saliva test kits. To learn more about getting a test kit through work, contact a manager or supervisor. Questions about in-home testing can also be directed to mn@vaulthealth.com or 800-800-5698.

Aspects of COVID-19 leave will continue into 2021

Employees will continue to have access to Emergency Sick Leave and COVID-related childcare leave into 2021, while we await either reauthorization of the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act or new guidance from the federal government. The act provides additional FMLA provisions for circumstances employees may be dealing with related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

What this means for employees

• Employees will continue to have access to the 80 hours of Emergency Sick Leave that remains in their banks. This is a continuation of the 80 hours each employee received in 2020, not additional leave if you exhausted you bank in 2020.
• Employees will be able to continue using FMLA for childcare leave (paid at 2/3 rate of pay after the first two weeks) for a maximum of 480 hours within a 12-month period. This extends the time to use that bank into 2021; it doesn't restart the bank. 
• These benefits were scheduled to expire with the federal law on Dec. 31. They will now be extended while Minnesota is under a peacetime emergency or until a new federal law/guideline replaces this one.

Questions can be directed to the Employee Resource Center. For additional information about the COVID-19 Leave Policy, visit the FAQs on MetNet.

New hands-free temperature screening process introduced

On-site employees must use a hands-free device to have their temperature taken before entering support facilities. Previously, temperature screenings were being done by contracted personnel. Temperatures must be measured at the start of each shift, and a verification sticker must be visibly worn while on duty. If a temperature above 100 degrees is recorded, the employee may not enter and should seek COVID-19 testing within 48 hours. Employees must also pass a health screening questionnaire. The same policies apply to vendors and contractors who are visiting support facilities. 

Bulletin: Updated Temperature Testing and Health Screening Process

Review COVID-19 case data by worksite

Every Friday, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported to the Employee Resource Center in the previous week will be reported in Insights. Managers and supervisors are encouraged to post this information at work sites.​

View the latest data on COVID-19 cases by worksite

New MetNet site dedicated to COVID-19 resources

A new MetNet page has been created to provide Metro Transit staff access to the latest information about COVID-19, including leave policies and daily updates on new cases reported at each worksite. The page supplements existing FAQs that apply to all Council employees. To provide feedback on the Metro Transit page, email drew.kerr@metrotransit.org.

Download a new COVID exposure notification app

Residents are being encouraged to download a new app that provides users alerts if they've been in close proximity to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. 

Learn more about the COVIDaware MN app

Ruter Operator Margaret Stephens was just over a month old when Rosa Parks was arrested in Montgomery, Ala., for refusing to give up her seat on the bus.

This week, commemorating the 65th anniversary of Parks' arrest, Stephens shared the story of how Parks became a Civil Rights icon.

Reading about Parks, Stephens said, was a reminder of all the progress she’s seen during her 30 years at Metro Transit. "I’m seeing more people of color coming into the job, more women, and not just driving the bus but branching out into other areas of the company,” said Stephens, who was born and raised in Minneapolis.

Stephens also reflected on how being a bus operator has allowed her to impact the lives of others. “People come from all walks of life, and it’s not our job to judge,” she said. “I really see my job as an opportunity to be a light in someone’s life. Even if you only touch one person, you’ve touched somebody.”

Transit agencies in Richmond, Nashville and Milwaukee recognized anniversary by reserving seats in her honor.

Watch Stephens read "I Am Rosa Parks"

Read a short biography of Rosa Parks

Review a list of anti-racism resources from the Council

Employees are invited to make a difference in their professional career or in the direction of someone else’s through the Council's 2021 MentoringWorks Program.

Due to the pandemic, mentoring pairs meeting virtually or in-person following social distancing guidelines. All group events will be held virtually.

Participants will officially meet for six months and can begin the program at any time during the year. Applications will be accepted throughout 2021. 

Anyone who has passed their probationary period, received a "Met Expectations" or higher on their last performance review, and is not on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) is eligible to participate. Bus and train operators are not eligible.​

To learn more and apply, visit the MentoringWorks page on MetNet.

Growing up, Ousmane Bah watched a lot of military documentaries and dreamed of someday serving in uniform.

In January 2017, years after his family emigrated from Guinea, Africa, to the United States, he enlisted in the Minnesota Army National Guard and started doing just that. Two years later, he put on another uniform, becoming a part-time weekend bus operator out of South Garage.

Today, Bah is tending to combat injuries so he can get back to serving his country and his community.

On March 14, Bah sustained significant injuries when a rocket hit a base he was stationed at in Iraq, where he and other members of the 2nd Battalion, 147th Assault Helicopter Battalion were supporting the Iraqi military.

“It was very scary and frightening,” Bah said. “I didn’t know if I was going to make it or not.”

Recovering at Fort Riley, Kansas, Bah is hopeful he’ll soon be able to drive buses and continue toward his goal of becoming a Warrant Officer.

In late-November, he returned to Minnesota where he was awarded a Purple Heart, an Army Combat Action Badge and an Army Commendation Medal. The ceremony was attended by family members, as well as Assistant Transportation Manager Anna Penland and South Garage Manager Doyne Parsons.

Bah said he was proud of the recognition and committed to his ongoing recovery. “Wearing that uniform and knowing that I’m part of the greatest military in the world makes me really proud,” he said. “I just love doing it.”

Rail Supervisor Thomas Myers recently retired with 30 years of service.

Myers grew up riding the bus and was encouraged to apply for an operator job by his mother. While he had his doubts, Myers soon found he liked the independence and the chance to spend his days on the move. “It got to the point where I couldn’t wait to get up and go to work I was so eager,” he said.