From General Manager Wes Kooistra
Another rise in COVID-19 cases, lingering uncertainties about the future of our downtowns and ongoing workforce challenges are all making it harder to know what lies ahead.
Despite this uncertainty, our focus remains on valuing our customers.
The pandemic is not over, but we are already working to reintroduce ourselves to current and potential riders as a transit system that is committed to becoming stronger and better.
Since starting as General Manager two and half years ago, my priority has been to improve the customer experience. And in our current environment, this work is essential to growing ridership.
There are many factors that drive transit use that we can’t influence – work location and schedules, parking availability and cost, congestion, and the response to the pandemic.
But we can influence what our customers experience when they ride.
Our commitment – our task – is to provide a service that is responsive to our riders’ priorities and expectations.
This is an ongoing effort. It is about continuous improvement. We are making improvements today, and we will continue to listen and learn from the people we serve so we can be even better tomorrow.
By listening to our customers, we learn what they value. Our riders have repeatedly told us they expect a service that is welcoming, comfortable, and safe. They want a dependable service – one that is fast, reliable, and easy to use. They expect our buses, trains, and public facilities to be clean and well maintained.
So, we plan, work, and invest to meet these expectations and make our riders’ experience better.
We want our riders to feel valued. And if we accomplish this, our ridership will grow.
Transit is a community service and we must strive to meet the needs of all community members. For some riders, our services are preferred; for many others, they are a necessary connection to opportunity. We do not take any of our riders for granted.
While we remain hopeful the pandemic will end soon, it is this steadfast commitment to our riders that will have the greatest influence on our future.
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Following updated guidance from the state of Minnesota, anyone who is inside a Metro Transit facility must wear a face covering, regardless of their vaccination status. Under a federal requirement, masks must always be worn on transit.
To help slow the spread, remember:
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Employees who are eligible and who have not yet been vaccinated are encouraged to do so as soon as possible. Free vaccines are available through the Council’s Well@Work clinics. Residents who receive their first dose of the vaccine between July 30 and August 15, can request a $100 gift card at mn.gov/covid19/100.
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Free COVID testing is available through HealthPartners, and mail-in test kits are available at all support facilities. Employees who are asymptomatic can schedule a test at the Well@Work clinic.
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Close contacts who are vaccinated do not need to isolate but should closely monitor for symptoms and isolate if they appear. Close contacts who are not fully vaccinated must isolate for 14 days from exposure.
Teleworking staff: A new page with information about the telework transition, including information about standard equipment that will be provided to staff, has been created on MetNet. A Q&A for managers and supervisors with teleworking staff can now be viewed on Stream.
On the road: Operator Antonio Castro met Gov. Tim Walz during a stop at FarmFest in Morgan, Minn., this week. Castro, top right, is one of several operators bringing vaccination buses to sites where vaccines are needed.
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For the first time since 1993, regular route fares will cost $1 in September and October.
The fare discount will apply to all regular route service, at all times of day, seven days a week, and be honored by all regional transit providers. The discount is being offered in recognition of those who have ridden throughout the pandemic and to encourage those who are coming back to offices and schools to use transit.
Customers who qualify for discounted rides through the Transit Assistance Program (TAP) or Limited Mobility programs, or as seniors, youths or Medicaid recipients, will be able to ride for 50 cents in September and October.
In addition to encouraging ridership, the effort will help inform a 2022 review of Metro Transit’s fare structure.
As part of that review, Metro Transit will look at whether higher-priced peak hour fares are still a useful way to help distribute demand throughout the day; since the start of the pandemic, demand has been spread more evenly throughout the day.
Unlimited ride passes sold through employers and schools – Metropass, U Pass, College Pass and Student Pass – will also be half off from September through the end of the year. Those discounts are being offered in part to recognize that many workers and students are likely to continue riding less than usual in the coming months.
School and employer participation in pass programs has not wavered since the start of the pandemic.
The fare promotions are part of a broad push to encourage ridership this fall. Some express bus service is being restored in late-August and a marketing campaign will begin in September.
New pass program for renters expanding
After a successful 2019 pilot, Metro Transit is hoping to grow a program that allows multi-family building owners to purchase lower-cost, unlimited ride passes on behalf of their residents. Property owners in the Residential Pass program will pay $14 a month to buy passes for each building unit. The hope is to make passes available to residents in up to 20 properties located near transit this year, and to continue expanding the program in the future. Read more at metrotransit.org/ridersalmanac.
Metro Transit staff and police officers participated in several National Night Out activities on Tuesday, Aug. 3, including an event near U.S. Bank Stadium hosted by the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association, top left, and another event in downtown St. Paul, below left. National Night Out encourages interaction between neighbors and law enforcement.
How did you come to work at Metro Transit?
In 2012, my wife and I had two kids back to back so I needed a second income to support my family. I had a technician degree and a job as a medical device technician at a big research hospital, but it wasn’t enough to support my growing family. A family member who worked at Metro Transit said I should apply to be a weekend bus operator. After two years working both jobs, I realized my part-time hourly wage at transit was better than my hourly wage at my full-time job of 12 years. So, I quit and decided to become a full-time operator.
What do you like the most about being “On the Clock”?
Driving allows you to experience new places, meet new people, and be helpful. The people onboard are mostly quiet and just want to get to where they’re going. Sometimes, however, a person is having a bad day, and you can help them get through it. In 2018, I discovered that I could help other operators by becoming an instructor. I love the reaction on an operator’s face when they realize something they thought was difficult isn’t so difficult after all.
What are your favorite activities when you’re “Off the Clock?"
As an immigrant from Liberia, I am grateful for the opportunities this country provides. My uncle served in the military, and he made an impression on me early on, so I knew I always wanted to join the National Guard. However, I would have to wait until 2009 when I became a resident. Over the last year, I’ve been called into active duty for the civil unrest and the inauguration in Washington D.C. As a driver, I often find myself behind the wheel for support and supply runs, or to transport fellow soldiers. This role also gives me the opportunity to use my technician skills – my specialty as a part of the 682nd Engineering Forward Support is equipment repair. Twelve years and a few active duty calls later, I’m extending my years of service. I’m thankful Metro Transit supports me when I need to be active, and that my family takes pride in my service.
Operator hiring events will be held August 17, 21
Two hiring events will be held later this month as efforts to bring on more bus operators continue. At each event, job seekers can submit their application and apply in one visit (applications may also be submitted online in advance). The events will run from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 17, and from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 21, at the Instruction Center (725 North 7th Street, Minneapolis). Learn more at metrotransit.org/drive.
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Nicollet Operator Roger Dahlin recently received a commendation for having a positive attitude.
Roger is a wonderful driver. He is nice, funny, friendly, and very inspirational. He is an all-around great guy. He is always upbeat and has wonderful energy. He goes out of his way to make sure everyone leaves his bus feeling uplifted and loved. Please let him know to keep up the amazing work and that we greatly appreciate him.
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Efforts to better serve breastfeeding mothers – specifically bus operators – are advancing.
Dedicated space for breastfeeding mothers is now available at the Heywood Garage, the Metro Transit Police & Office Facility (right) and the Operations Support Center. In the future, there are plans to include or add such spaces at the new Minneapolis Bus Garage, South Garage, Nicollet Garage and other support facilities.
A working group including female operators, Council wellness representatives and Equity & Inclusion staff is meeting regularly to address needs unique to those who do not work in an office setting.
Under state law, employers must make “reasonable efforts” to provide employees a private room (other than a bathroom) that can be used to express milk.
Learn more
- World Breastfeeding Week is August 1-7. Learn more about this year’s campaign on the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action website.
- To learn more about the Nursing Mother’s Working Group, contact Joy Ahern.
- Free parenting classes -- including classes on breastfeeding are now available through Amma Parenting. Learn more about parenting resources on MetNet.
Operators invited to help celebrate gold medalist Suni Lee: To celebrate the accomplishments of Olympic gold medalist and St. Paul native Suni Lee, all bus operators are encouraged to display “CONGRATS SUNI,” through the end of the day on Sunday, Aug. 8 (operators, enter PR-Code 19). Lee, 18, won gold in the individual, all-around gymnastics competition in Tokyo. On Sunday, a parade will be held in Lee’s honor from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. along White Bear Avenue in St. Paul.
Stay tuned for State Fair updates: Plans to offer express bus service to the Minnesota State Fair remain under review. Details are expected to be finalized and shared next week. The State Fair opens on Thursday, Aug. 26.
Mechanic Technician applications now being accepted: Bus Maintenance is creating an eligibility list to fill technician openings in 2021. Positions offered will be for second and third shift only. Minimum education and experience qualifications apply, and applicants must pass a hands-on performance test, an electrical circuit diagnostic troubleshooting test, and a written mechanical knowledge-based test. Applications for train operator, stockkeeper, Transit Control Center supervisor and LRT helper/cleaner are also being accepted now. To review all job openings and apply, visit metrocouncil.org/employment.
Ridership continues to climb: Average weekday ridership rose for the third consecutive month in June, to just over 95,000 rides. In January, average weekday ridership was around 81,000 rides. More than 4.7 million rides have been provided through the end of June. The total is down compared to the same period last year, which included almost three months of pre-pandemic ridership. About two-thirds of trips are being taken on buses, similar to before the pandemic.
Buses replacing light rail trains August 5-9: Replacement buses will operate on portions of the Blue and Green lines this weekend to allow for construction. Until 4 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 9, buses will replace Blue Line trains between the Target Field and 38th Street stations, and Green Line trains between the Target Field and Stadium Village stations. Replacement buses began operating on Thursday, Aug. 5. Maintenance work being conducted during this time includes improving signaling systems, bridge cleaning, new fiber optic cable installation, rail replacement, security fence installation and concrete work.
View Green Line Extension progress from the sky: A new video shows progress being made along the Green Line Extension corridor. The Green Line Extension will run from Minneapolis to Eden Prairie, stopping at 16 stations. Walking tours are available throughout August. To learn more, visit metrocouncil.org.
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