Staff across the organization were invited to share what they're looking forward to in the new year. Here are a few of their responses.
- We have four new hires in the Transit Control Center and a new communication specialist. I look forward to helping them discover their place in the TCC. And, I’m creating a plan to use our group’s strengths to team build, reduce stress and promote mental health. For example, a co-worker who knits may offer their time (off the clock) to other TCC staff who would like to learn that hobby. Anyone would benefit from learning a new hobby in 2022! - Meredith Tvrdik, TCC Supervisor
- I am hopeful that we’ll continue to regain some normalcy in our work and world, and I look forward to all the positive things this would bring personally and professionally. I am excited for the continued work of the Advancing Women in Transit group and the other Employee Resource Group’s to drive positive change in the organization and help us achieve our strategic goals. And I am energized by all the good people who work here -- their selfless contributions make me hopeful. - Emily Bollensen, Service Garage Supervisor, Ruter Garage
- We have so much to be thankful for. We enjoy freedoms in all aspects of our lives, to shop, do commerce, worship, travel and enjoy the blessing of our prosperity. I’m thankful that I have a good job which affords me healthcare and the ability to meet my expenses and obligations in support of my family. I am hopeful that the situations surrounding the virus will dissipate so we can continue these great freedoms we all have and can enjoy. -- Paul Willis, Stockkeeper, Nicollet Garage
- The sense of some normalcy in both the work environment and life in general gives me hope that 2022 will be a better year. It's a great feeling to see the cycling of new hires slowly coming in. Open/cut pieces of runs slowly getting better as each pick goes by. Seeing movie theaters, malls, and gatherings getting more festive shows that we are all slowly adjusting to the new norm. Rome wasn't built in a day, and slowly getting there is better than not. I’ll take it, smile, and continue to support my fellow bus operators. -- Chia Xiong, TCC Supervisor
- I am hopeful that in 2022 staffing challenges can be fulfilled across the workforce. Every industry has been impacted lately, from hospitality, transit, consumer goods to the health care workers that are already overtaxed by the pandemic. I am hopeful that in 2022, my family, friends and coworkers stay active, take care of themselves and seek out things they enjoy and are passionate about. -- Mark Ammend, Transit Supervisor
- I am looking forward to my new role as Rail Director with TSMA and representing my fellow rail colleagues. In the RCC, I am looking forward to the newest hires completing their supervisor training so we can return to a more normal working environment. I cannot overlook the role of Chief Operating Officer position being filled with a permanent occupant and all the positive changes that will come along with it. -- Thorton H.O. Ridder, Rail Transit Supervisor
- As our department grows and we hire more sworn officers and Community Service Officers, I am hopeful that we can slowly change how the community sees policing. I am hopeful that with new faces will come new ideas on how to bridge the gap between the minority communities we serve and the police department. And I am hopeful that fresh viewpoints will introduce more opportunities for people of color to be in higher leadership roles, creating an equitable working environment for everyone. - Sgt. Kadra Mohamed
- I am hopeful that 2022 will bring more opportunities to offer tours of the Green Line Extension. With almost 60% of civil construction complete, our team has tremendous progress to share. We have an incredible team of talented and dedicated people working every day to deliver this project. It’s exciting to bring people out on a tour so they can see how much has been built first-hand. – Joan Hollick, Southwest Light Rail Project Office
- We’ve gone through a lot of struggles and we’ve done a lot to make things safer for our drivers and our riders. So, I’m hopeful that in 2022 everyone will feel confident about coming back together and using transit to go out and enjoy themselves. I’m noticing new people coming out all the time, so I think our riders are already seeing the confidence in us and know we’re doing our best, that we’re in it together. - Lanh Thao, Operator, East Metro
- Outside of work, I’m hopeful I get the 12-point buck that I’ve been chasing on my property in Wisconsin. I’ve come close, and I really think this is going to be the year for me. And in general, I’m hoping that things go back to normal sooner than later. In the meantime, it’ll be whatever we make it. I haven’t had a bad day since I started at Metro Transit, and I don’t plan on having one in the future. – Robert Koehnen, Revenue Mechanical Technician
Public health officials expect the number of new cases to continue rising in the coming weeks, and cases among staff are at their highest levels since the start of the pandemic.
To keep everyone safe, public health officials are stressing the importance of vaccinations, boosters, testing and preventative measures like masking and social distancing.
If you are experiencing any symptoms or think you have been exposed, please seek testing right away. Many sites are busier than usual; plan ahead.
- To make a testing appointment at a HealthPartners clinic, visit healthpartners.com and use the employer code 10397.
- Free testing is available at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, Minneapolis Convention Center, Roy Wilkins Auditorium and other state-run sites, including some new locations that opened this week. Review locations, hours and make an appointment at mn.gov/covid19/get-tested.
- To access a Vault mail-in test kit, speak with a manager or supervisor or visit learn.vaulthealth.com.
- At-home test kits are available through many retailers and may be eligible for reimbursement through your Health Reimbursement Account (HRA).
As a reminder, employees who are required to be tested to report for on-site work must resume weekly testing 90 days after testing positive.
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Congratulations to two longtime Bus Transportation employees who celebrated their retirements this week.
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Tom Sabourin, a mark-up dispatcher at Heywood Garage, retired with 43 years of service. Tom began his career as an operator at the old Northside Garage and, except for a short stint at Ruter, spent his entire career there and at Heywood. Sabourin has been a full-time dispatcher since 1996, but he continued picking up extra trips through the end of his career. In retirement, Tom plans to move to Texas to be closer to family.
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James Underwood, an operator at East Metro, retired with 37 years of service. After completing seminary school, his wife, transit planner Karen Underwood, suggested applying. Once behind the wheel, he found a wealth of opportunity to help others beyond a church setting. “I feel like a rich man – one in experience, teachers, and friends,” Underwood said. “It’s the real life onboard a bus, and it’s a place I’ve been a positive influence in the world." In retirement, he plans to do more ministry and music.
Read more about Sabourin, Underwood and other retirees with 30+ years of service
Note: Last week's Insights noted that Charles "Chuck" Rawson, a technician at South Garage, was retiring this week with 31 years of service. Rawson retired with 41 years of service. We regret the error.
More hands, new tools give LRT Helpers a leg up
A few extra sets of hands can have a big impact – just ask the team responsible for cleaning Green Line trains in St. Paul.
A year ago, the crew was down to just a few people, making it almost impossible to keep up with routine work and the additional responsibilities brought on by the pandemic.
Today, the team is nearly fully staffed, with two helpers working during the day, up to nine helpers working overnight and an additional helper who clears litter from trains at Union Depot Station.
Together, they’re responsible for cleaning 47 trains kept at the Lowertown facility. Cleaning a train from top to bottom – mopping the floors, wiping down the windows, removing trash – can take up to 8 hours.
Having a full complement has not only led to cleaner trains, but allowed staff to tackle some special projects, like cleaning interior ducts and lighting fixtures for the first time in many years. When plastic seats were recently installed, the team also did some deep cleaning.
Other improvements, like getting the team radios that allow them to continue working until they know a train is pulling in and setting up new general clean stations, have also made a big difference, helpers said.
“It’s kind of mind-blowing thinking about all the changes that happened over the last year,” said LRT Maintenance Supervisor Zac Little, who is among those who work third shift. “We’ve tried to improve our situation a little bit each night and, looking back, we have accomplished a lot.”
LRT Helper Don Landin, among the longest serving LRT helpers in St. Paul, said the proactive approach taken by management and his peers has made a “huge difference.”
Still, the work is physically demanding, and it can be hard to see how people mistreat trains. Landin said he and his peers persevere largely thanks to each other.
“Who you work for and who you work with make a big difference,” he said. “That’s what helps you bear up when things get difficult.”
Join the team
Applications for LRT Helper/Cleaner are being accepted now. Learn more and apply here.
Today, January 7, is the final day to complete the Council's Employee Engagement & Satisfaction Survey.
Completing this survey will help leadership make deliberate organizational changes that build pride, help managers become more effective leaders and improve development opportunities for all staff.
The survey can be completed in a few minutes and all responses are anonymous.
A new transit information tool – one that looks a lot like the devices people use to read e-books – is being tested at a few busy bus stops.
The tablet-sized displays, attached to the poles holding bus stop signs, provide real-time departure information and route maps.
The solar-powered displays could be a good option for bus stops where there are lots of boardings, but where larger real-time signs aren’t practical because of costs and the need to run electricity and network connections.
The displays could also be used as a replacement for some static signage, like route maps, that appears at some locations and need to be replaced when there are service changes.
Two digital displays were installed last spring, on Como and Franklin avenues, and two more were installed this month at stops on Nicollet and University avenues. Customers who see these displays are invited to provide feedback through Customer Relations.
In addition to customer feedback, Transit Information is testing the displays to see how durable they are and how well they hold up in different weather conditions.
More than 230 real-time signs can now be found at bus stops throughout the region, primarily at Bus Rapid Transit stations, transit centers and along the Marq2 corridor in downtown Minneapolis.
Ruter Operator Michael Kluthe recently impressed a Route 721 customer who appreciated the concern and respect they showed during a recent trip.
I would like to give a big thanks to this driver. I use a motorized scooter, and before he could put out the ramp he had to clear a bunch of snow that was on the edge of the sidewalk. Once on board, he was very accommodating and patient as I got turned around to park in the space. I felt very safe and welcome, he knew exactly how to put the straps on my scooter and made sure they were tight, and he was so pleasant to me. This young man should get a bonus for being so nice.
Marie Offelen
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 The Black History Month Committee is inviting employees to participate in an online talent contest to help celebrate Black History Month. To participate, employees are invited to submit short videos showing their talents as soon as possible. The videos will be shared during events that will be hosted on Fridays in February, which is Black History Month.
Videos can be uploaded to YouTube or shared through OneDrive with Traci Williamson and Drew Kerr. For more information, contact committee members Traci Williamson, Devona Love or Demetre Muhammad.
Employees are also invited to order a "soulful dinner" to enjoy during the Friday, Feb. 25, event. Pre-order online here.
Learn more about new BIPOC Employee Resource Group
All employees are invited to learn more about a new Employee Resource Group (ERG) that will serve as a resource for those interested in supporting and networking with staff who identify as Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC).
Virtual kick-off meetings will be held at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 18, and at noon on Wednesday, Jan. 19. For more information, contact Victoria Dan.
The BIPOC ERG is in the process of being recognized by the Council; once that occurs, staff will be able to commit paid time to attending group meetings and other group-related activities.
Add the January 18 meeting to your calendar
Add the January 19 meeting to your calendar
Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Several local events will be held on Martin Luther King Jr., Day, Monday, Jan. 17.
- The Council's Equity Change Teams will celebrate King Jr.'s legacy during an online event at noon on Friday, Jan. 14. The event will include a showing of an interview with the late Congressman John Lewis, a panel discussion and time for open discussion. Join the event using this link.
- The state's 36th annual celebration will begin at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 17, on YouTube.
- The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board will host its annual celebration from 6:30 p.m. to 8p.m. Monday, Jan. 17, at the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center on Nicollet Avenue.
- MCTC is hosting a virtual event featuring student essays about Martin Luther King, Jr. on Thursday, Jan. 20.
Many people who work at Metro Transit take on new responsibilities and roles throughout their careers. Career Tracks highlights the paths employees have taken to their latest assignment and where they see themselves going next. To learn more about career opportunities at Metro Transit and the Metropolitan Council, visit metrocouncil.org/employment.
How did you begin your career with Metro Transit?
I began in 2019 as a light rail electro-mechanic technician in the METRO Blue Line shop. Before coming here, I worked at the United Taconite iron ore mine in Eveleth for almost five years. I started as a production truck driver in the pit, operating heavy equipment and hauling iron ore from the mine to the crusher where it got processed into smaller pieces and sent to the plant. I was offered a variety of training and opportunities to go out in the field and train people to operate equipment, to work on mechanical and electrical equipment and anything in the crusher with the conveyor belts. After a while, I realized it was not what I wanted. I moved to the Twin Cities and dabbled in a couple of roles before applying for Metro Transit.
I am a classic car enthusiast and have taught myself to replace engines. I also enjoy cooking and trying different cuisines. I recently made Nigerian food. A lot of my supervisors say I'm just working here until I become a professional chef!
What were your career goals and what steps did you take to achieve them?
My career goals have always been to learn as much as I can and apply that to my daily routine and career. When I was growing up, I wanted to be a doctor. I attended the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and studied biology with a minor in chemistry and physics with an emphasis in pre-med. I became a teaching assistant and tutor for several subjects. I really enjoyed teaching and the rewarding feeling of being able to relate varying topics to my students and help them better understand the subject matter. Then, I got offered an internship at the iron ore mine, which led to a full-time job there after college. I started taking on more roles and responsibilities. When I got my job here, I was told there would be lots of opportunities to grow. That grabbed my attention because I have always been a person who wants to gain knowledge and apply that to my career.
What advice do you have for others who want to take on more responsibilities or different responsibilities?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. A lot of people might think it’s silly or are embarrassed to ask. I encourage questions all the time. I also feel being approachable and having good, open communication and being available are important attributes. And I believe if you're given opportunity to take courses at your job to take advantage of it. Today there are so many learning tools available. The biggest thing is taking the initiative and applying yourself.
 Law Enforcement Appreciation Day is January 9
National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day is Sunday, Jan. 9. All employees are invited to celebrate by:
- Saying thank you if you encounter a police officer
- Wearing or displaying a blue ribbon
- Submitting a commendation or sending a thank you card c/o Leah Palmer, Metro Transit Police Department, 560 N Sixth Ave, Minneapolis, 55411
From the editor: A note about last week's Insights
Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion requires us to think carefully about what and how we communicate with employees and the customers we serve. The words and symbols we use must make people feel welcome, valued, and respected.
And so it is regrettable that last Friday’s Insights contained a logo, obtained online, that included the “Thin Blue Line” flag. While the "Thin Blue Line" term has been used for decades to refer to law enforcement, a flag associated with it has more recently been used by some to make a political statement. Alterations to the American flag are also disrespectful. As such, the "Thin Blue Line" flag should not be used in any of our communications.
This is, hopefully, a teachable moment. All of us, myself included, must continue to educate ourselves. We must be willing to speak up when we see or hear something that doesn’t honor our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. And we must acknowledge our mistakes when we are wrong.
Have thoughts? Share them using the Equity & Inclusion comment form, anonymously if you wish, or feel free to contact me directly.
- Drew Kerr
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