From General Manager Wes Kooistra
Being a bus or train operator has always had its share of challenges. But no one could have predicted that in addition to providing safe and reliable service we’d also be asking our operators to serve on the frontlines of a global pandemic.
Yet for the past year, that’s what they've been doing.
On Thursday, as we and other transit agencies celebrated Transit Driver Appreciation Day, I had the opportunity to personally thank many of our operators for providing a service that is essential because so many rely on transit for their travel.
Normally, these expressions of gratitude would come with a side of celebration. In past years, I’ve enjoyed sharing meals and conversation at our garages. Customers have been invited to show their support when boarding, to send commendations, and to wave as operators pull into a station.
This year, of course, the pandemic makes large workplace gatherings impossible. Many of the familiar faces who would have said thanks spent their day working from home. I look forward to resuming and building on these traditions as soon as it is safe, and I really look forward to greeting our operators with a handshake and without a mask.
While the pandemic continues to limit in-person interactions, I hope our operators still noticed and felt the appreciation we were able to offer.
In a video, essential workers from area grocery stores, daycare centers and healthcare providers spoke about how much respect they have for the operators who got them where they needed to go over the last year.
In one example, a single mother of four said her car had broken down and that she needed transit to get to work and support her family. In another, a nurse practitioner talked about riding transit for more than 40 years and of the welcoming, safe environment she’s enjoyed throughout the pandemic.
Messages of support also appeared on all our major league stadiums, light rail platforms and Bus Rapid Transit stations. On social media, we were joined by dozens of transit agencies from across the country that participated in a collective show of support. Gov. Tim Walz proclaimed Thursday Transit Driver Appreciation Day in Minnesota.
Gestures like these always seem a little inadequate, and that is especially true this year. But behind these symbols is a genuine appreciation for a job well done.
As general manager, I know this appreciation must extend beyond a single day. I also know all our staff deserves to be recognized for their efforts, now more than ever.
As we move forward, I am committed to showing my support by being a strong and vocal advocate for transit and transit workers, by listening and responding to your concerns and by taking every opportunity I can to say thank you.
So again, I’d like to extend a special thanks this week to all the operators who have performed so admirably under difficult circumstances. It is an honor to be your general manager.
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 Operators and managers participated in smaller celebrations at their respective garages on Thursday, and digital displays recognizing Transit Driver Appreciation Day were up throughout the day at Target Field Station, U.S. Bank Stadium, the Xcel Energy Center.
On Twitter, transit agencies from across the country expressed unified support and appreciation for operator and, on Facebook, Nicollet Operator Melanie Benson wrote about what it’s been like to serve as an operator during the pandemic.” I greatly admire and appreciate the drivers whose passenger loads are heavier, who have to contend with more challenges,” Benson wrote. “This isn't an easy job under the best of circumstances, and now all these additional factors combine to create more stress and even fear of a deadly virus.”
Watch: Customers and leadership share their thanks
Read Gov. Tim Walz’s TDAD proclamation
Read Operator Melanie Benson’s Facebook post
View more TDAD photos
Front-line workers: Vaccines are available now
Front-line employees who are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine should expect be contacted by the end of next week about scheduling an appointment at Homeland Health’s Mall of America vaccine clinic. More than 400 operators had signed up for appointments as of Thursday.
To ensure you can be contacted, review and update tour contact information on file through Employee Self Service.
If a vaccination appointment conflicts with your work schedule, please speak with a manager or supervisor. If you do not see any available appointments when you go to sign up, wait a short time and try again.
Front-line workers may also now make appointments at CVS Pharmacy locations here. When making an appointment, select front-line essential worker and enter Metro Transit as your employer.
Employees may use COVID-19 leave if they have a reaction to the vaccine and need to take time off, but only if they have Emergency Sick Pay (ESP) time available. Employees may not use COVID-19 leave to get a vaccine.
If your health care provider contacts you about making an appointment, or if you have another opportunity to get vaccinated, you can and should do that.
To ensure you receive the latest information, all employees are encouraged to:
Minnesota is not requiring vaccinations, but they are strongly encouraged to help stop the pandemic.
Limited number of Twins fans will be allowed inside Target Field
Up to 10,000 fans will be allowed inside Target Field for Minnesota Twins home games under new state guidelines. The Twins' home opener will be held on Thursday, April 8. Fans and stadium employees who plan to use transit are being reminded of COVID-19 precautions, including a mask requirement. Staff will be at Target Field Station to help direct fans as needed. For more information about serving as a station ambassador, contact Nick Gorell.
The Saint Paul Saints play their first home game on May 11 and will be allowed to host up to 2,100 fans at CHS Field. The general manager of the Minnesota State Fair said this week that he is “cautiously optimistic” the fair will be held this summer.
Take precautions if you’re traveling over spring break
Employees who plan to travel or whose dependents will return home during spring break are encouraged to take precautions to limit the chance of spreading or getting COVID-19. Public health officials continue to discourage discretionary travel. If you chose to travel, the CDC suggests getting tested 1-3 days before your trip and again 3-5 days after returning. Free, local Spring Break activities are being offered by both the Minneapolis and Saint Paul parks and recreation departments.
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 COVID-19 case data by worksite
Reports of violence against Asian Americans, including the killing of multiple women of Asian descent in Atlanta this week, are a reminder that discrimination and racially motivated harassment will not be tolerated at the workplace or on the transit system.
Employees who experience discrimination are encouraged to contact the Office of Equal Opportunity, a member of the Equity & Inclusion Team or to speak with a manager or supervisor, if they are comfortable doing so. Reports can also be made anonymously using EthicsPoint.
Customers who feel threatened are encouraged to contact Transit Control Center staff using Text For Safety (612-900-0411) and to call 911 in the event of an emergency.
If you observe harassment and feel it is safe to intervene, experts suggest utilizing the “Five D’s” – distract, delegate, document, delay and direct. Learn more about ways to effectively and safely intervene here.
In a letter this week, Sia Her, Executive Director of Minnesota’s Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans, said the Atlanta shootings are a “stark reminder of the work we have yet to do to heal our communities.” Read her letter here.
To learn more about the history and challenges experienced by Asian Americans, consider watching this PBS series. Employees who would like to suggest additional anti-racism resources are invited to contact Michelle Fure.
Reminder: Complete unconscious bias training by April 22
Employees are reminded to complete the Met Council’s Unconscious Bias class by April 22. The online class reviews the definition of unconscious bias, how to recognize its impact in the workplace and offers practical actions that can be taken to create a more inclusive culture. All employees are required to take the one-hour class, except bus operators, who will receive this information in a different format. The class can be taken any time through Learn, the Council’s online learning platform. Questions about Learn can be directed to Learn@metc.state.mn.us. After completing the class, additional resources can be found on Human Resources’ Building Diversity, Equity and Inclusion page on MetNet.
Advancing Women in Transit continues its Women’s Month symposium with a panel of female-identifying train operators on Monday, March 22. The online event will begin at noon and is open to all who are interested in attending.
Panelists will provide brief remarks and allow time for questions. Panelists include train operators Mary Henry, Latina Laramee, Nancy Stahr and Tanya Young. The hour-long panel will be moderated by Rail Supervisor Carri Sampson and Assistant Transportation Manager Catrina Boucher.
At 1 p.m., Marilyn Porter, Director of Engineering & Facilities, will share a presentation about resiliency and perseverance.
Attend the March 22 event using this link
Throughout the month, symposium speakers have been invited to talk about leadership traits more commonly associated with women, including resiliency, empathy, and entrepreneurial spirit.
Past events can be viewed any time on YouTube here, here and here, and read thoughts on the connection between humility and health from Commuter Programs Specialist Kelly Morrell, who spoke earlier this month, here.
The final symposium event, on March 29, will feature a panel of female-identifying employees who work in bus transportation.
Symposium events are being held on Microsoft Teams, which is available on desktop and as an app. To learn more about using Teams, contact ECM; for technical support, contact the ServiceDesk.
AWT is an Employee Resource Group for female-identifying employees at Metro Transit. Group members meet regularly to share ideas, support one another, and build a professional network. For more information, contact Jennifer Kochaver.
Expand your network by joining WTS Minnesota
Employees who are interested in expanding their skills and professional network are invited to utilize newly available benefits from WTS Minnesota. WTS Minnesota is the local chapter of WTS International, a group that seeks to advance women in transportation. Metro Transit is now a corporate member of WTS Minnesota, which allows all agency employees to register for events at the member rate, regardless of their membership status. Employees may also apply for WTS grants, attend WTS training programs, and serve on WTS committees. For more information, contact WTS MN Membership Director Carrie Desmond.
Job: Northstar Commuter Rail mechanic
Lives: Monticello Township
Years of service: 12 years
Family: Wife, four adult sons, and three grandchildren.
How did you come to work at Metro Transit and what do you do?
I had been through a series of layoffs from Northwest Airlines in 2005 and Hutchinson Technology in 2009. Then, I read an article about Northstar starting up, and I went online and filled out an application. I was among the first employees who started here in June 2009 when we were getting the Big Lake shop set up and learning how to work on locomotives, perform air brake tests and conduct daily inspections.
What do you like the most about your work?
I have liked learning about the equipment, how trains work and how to operate them. Jobs always come down to the people, though. I like learning from the diversity of experience and knowledge of my co-workers and the BNSF crews.
What are your favorite activities when you’re “Off the Clock”?
When I was laid off in January 2009, I had a lot of time on my hands while I was looking for work. I decided to experiment with making maple syrup after seeing a former co-worker’s demonstration and watching YouTube videos. I tap the 10 silver maple trees on our one-acre property just outside Monticello to keep my family supplied with syrup, not to sell. I turned a barrel stove into a homemade evaporator and boil the sap outside, using a hydrometer to determine when the sugar content is right to make syrup. You can’t boil it down inside because your ceiling would get sticky, but I do finish it in a stockpot on the stove. It’s the freeze-thaw cycle of the spring weather that makes the sap run for a couple of weeks. The sap started running the last week of February this year. It takes about 40 gallons of sap to get a gallon of finished syrup When I am finished, I usually have two to three gallons of light amber-colored syrup. We use it on our oatmeal, and my wife uses it in place of sugar to make breads and muffins.
Eligible employees can earn a $40 gift card by completing an online health assessment by May 31.
The assessment poses questions about nutrition, exercise, emotional health, life satisfaction, and sleep, and generates customized recommendations based on your results. Responses to the assessment are confidential and are only shared back with the Met Council as combined data for the organization.
All employees who have HealthPartners medical or dental coverage through the Metropolitan Council are invited to participate in the assessment and will receive a $40 gift card for completing it before May 31.
To complete the assessment and access HealthPartners programs, visit healthpartners.com/wellbeing and log in with your HealthPartners account. For assistance, call HealthPartners at 800-311-1052.
East Metro Garage operator Tyler Stoutenburg recently received a commendation for driving as conditions dictate.
I would like to say thank you for driving very carefully on I-94 today. There was little loose snow, not bad, but I appreciate the careful driving. With the way he drove, I felt like he was in control the entire time. And, it didn't sacrifice time on this trip, either. We got to St. Paul safely and with plenty of time to spare. Thank you.
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Few disruptions at Chauvin trial continues. Jury selection in the trial of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin continued this week. Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill is expected to decide today whether the trial should be delayed or relocated. If there are no changes, opening arguments are expected to begin at the end of the month and the trial is expected to last several weeks. To date, there have been no reports of deliberate interference with transit service. On March 31, MPR News will host an online discussion about "navigating conversations about the trial and its broader implications for racial justice in a state known for its persistent racial disparities." Learn more and register for the online event here.
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Campus parking lots temporarily open to all employees: Metro Transit employees who are visiting the Metro Transit Campus for work purposes can park in any parking lot, whether or not they hold a priority access job assignment, until further notice. To enter a gated parking lot, employees will need to use their employee badge. Parking placards should also be displayed while parking at any Metro Transit work site. When it is safe for more employees to return to work, parking in the Orange Lot off of 5th Street and the Green Lot off of 8th Avenue will again be reserved for employees with priority access, primarily front-line workers whose work schedules make it difficult to use transit or other alternatives to driving. When parking at any Metro Transit facility, please remember to lock your vehicle, remove any valuables and be aware of your surroundings. For more information, contact Spolinsky Jacox.
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Learn more about Creative Services at upcoming Lunch & Learns. The first session will be held at noon on Thursday, April 1, and will give an overview of the department's staff, the types of projects the department works on, and how brand standards are used to create a clear, consistent, accessible and equitable tone. The second session will held at noon on Thursday, April 8, and cover Workfront, the project management tool used to initiate projects and track progress. An email invitation with login information will be sent next week.
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MnDOT adopts sustainability recommendations: The Minnesota Department of Transportation has adopted a new set of sustainability recommendations, including transit prioritization and a preliminary, statewide goal of reducing vehicle miles traveled by 20% over the next 30 years. Read more on MnDOT's website.
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