From General Manager Wes Kooistra    

For more than a year, we’ve done everything we can to slow the spread of COVID-19. Our decisions and actions have looked beyond our own interests and focused on helping our region manage an unimaginable crisis. Thank you for rising to the incredible challenges we have faced.  

Today, the rapid rise in the number of people who have been vaccinated is resulting in declines in COVID cases in Minnesota and across the nation.  

As a result, COVID-19 restrictions are beginning to relax. Minnesota's limits on public gatherings will be eliminated on May 28 and the statewide mask requirement will be lifted today. A Council requirement to wear masks at work remains in place, however, and a federal order requiring masks on transit is currently scheduled to expire on September 13. 

Planning efforts by both private and public sectors that point toward reimagining business operations in the post-pandemic environment are also accelerating. 

This is true for Metro Transit as well. Minnesota’s measurable progress in fighting the pandemic allows us to rethink our capacity limits. It also informs our service planning and helps us better anticipate when and how to actively promote transit use. 

We are planning near-term and long-term strategies for a changing workplace.  

Through Labor Day, employee work locations will generally not change. For those working from home, some exceptions for changes will be made that take into account position responsibilities, home office limitations, and other unique circumstances that may require an employee working remotely to return to the office. 

We will manage the immediate workplace needs, but our workplace planning will need to focus on the long-term needs of Metro Transit. 

We are also focused on the many challenges we face in emerging from the pandemic as a stronger and better service provider. 

Today, we are providing between 80,000 and 90,000 rides a day, less than half the number we provided before the pandemic. We plan to develop and offer service designs and service environments that will bring back riders who have left us and encourage new riders to try transit. We plan to make the most of this opportunity and time afforded us through the federal financial relief to become a service provider that is even more responsive to the needs of our riders.  

In part, that will mean offering faster and more reliable service like we provide on our Bus Rapid Transit and light rail routes. It will mean doing all we can to provide clean, safe and welcoming environments on our vehicles and at our facilities. And it will mean serving the needs of the many riders who need transit for mobility.

While express ridership has declined sharply during the pandemic, our experience over the past fourteen months has proven how important transit is to the essential workers who are clearly the engine of our region.  

Today, we have the opportunity to reimagine our services to better meet what riders need, want, and expect. And by improving the quality and value of our services, we will hold a strong place in defining transit’s future. 

As a part of the Signals Department, Dean will test, maintain, repair and install track switches and grade crossing and signaling equipment. Dean previously worked in telecommunications and has handled a wide range of emergency repairs in a high-pressure environment. Outside of work, Dean enjoys cooking for his friends and family, at home or out or while camping.  

Jeffrey Brisbois, Electro Mechanical Technician

As an Electro Mechanical Technician, Brisbois will troubleshoot, maintain and repair light rail vehicles and support equipment, among other duties. Brisbois comes to Metro Transit with 25 years of experience as an automotive technician. Outside of work, his hobbies include fishing and repairing old cars, including a 1968 Chevelle.   

Elliot Courtney, Engineer

Elliot Courtney joins the Engineering & Facilities Department’s Rail Facilities Group. Courtney has worked for several railroad companies, and most recently served as a signal engineer for Progress Engineer. Outside of work, Courtney enjoys hiking and building scale model trains. 

Jacob Brown, Assistant Manager – Transit Information Field Operations

As a part of the Transit Information team, Jacob will manage staff that support and maintain real-time signs, schedule displays and other customer-facing signage. Brown will also lead the planning and implementation of new customer information and lead efforts to ensure information is accurate, accessible, professional, and customer friendly. 

Refer a successful candidate, earn $600 

Employees can receive $600 for referring an individual who passes their probationary period as a bus operator. A $600 incentive is also available to employees who refer successful candidates for several technician or rail systems positions.  

To receive the incentive, applicants must include the name and employee number of the employee who referred them on the employee referral question of their job application. 

New bus operators are also eligible to receive a $1,000 hiring bonus, $500 after completing training, and the remaining $500 after successfully completing the 6-month probation period.

All bonuses appear on an employee's paycheck. 

After a pause, bus operator hiring resumed this spring. The first new class of bus operators hired since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic will begin in-person training at the Instruction Center next week, and the hope is to have new classes beginning every other week moving forward. 

Reminder: Info sessions to provide insight on open positions

Hiring managers will share information about current openings during a pair of upcoming interactive online sessions. The sessions are being offered to increase awareness of the openings and help employees understand the pathways to those positions and will be recorded and made available on the Equity & Inclusion MetNet page. For more information, contact Sarah Berres.

Tuesday, May 18, 1-1:30 p.m. Register here.

• Transit Information Data Coordinator – Presented by Ben Rajkowski, Manager-Transit Information 
• Light Rail Vehicle Maintenance Training Supervisor – Presented by Ona Pradhan, Manager-Rail Training and Development

Thursday, May 20, 1-1:30 p.m.  Register here. 

• Assistant Director-Bus Maintenance – Presented by Matt Dake, Director of Bus Maintenance

Review all current job openings 

May is Asian/Pacific American Islander Heritage Month. To celebrate, employees are being invited to talk about customary dishes from their country of origin that they enjoy the most. Employees who would like to participate in the coming weeks are invited to email Sarah Berres.  

Sgt. Tommy Eam, Metro Transit Police Department  

Tell us a little bit about your background and your role at Metro Transit.  

I was born in Cambodia, where my father served in the Cambodian military and my mother was a nurse. At that time, the Cambodian Civil War was raging and when the Khmer Rouge defeated government forces my family spent years in refugee camps in Thailand and the Philippines before eventually coming to America. Even though I didn’t spend much time in Cambodia, I am very in tune with its culture and identify with it closely.  I’ve worked at the Metro Transit Police Department for the last seven years. Currently, I’m serving as a Sergeant for the night shift.    

What are some of the traditional foods you’d enjoy in an everyday setting?  

Rice is a common staple that I have with almost any meal, whether it’s meat, eggs or soup. A spicy salad made with unripe papaya is another everyday food that is often shared with others. But as far as cooking, I have been blessed with five sisters who are great at preparing traditional food, including one who is a professionally trained chef who makes delicious/beautiful food.   

What is a favorite food you enjoy at a special celebration and please describe that celebration?  

A special celebration my family enjoys is offering food to our ancestors and close family members who have passed away in a celebration called Phchum Ben. Throughout the year, my family will make offerings to our mother, father and sister to show them we still care about them and think about them. Traditional food we use for these celebrations include roasted duck, Cha Kroueng (lemongrass chicken), and, my favorite, Gang No Mai (bamboo/yanang/mushroom soup). 

What are some key ingredients, spices, or a recipe you’d recommend to someone interested in Cambodian food?  

Fish sauce, finely chopped lemongrass, lime leaves and oyster sauce. All four of these ingredients are versatile, great for marinating meats and enhance the flavor of whatever you’re eating.