From General Manager Lesley Kandaras
Each day, we help people get to and from school, work, medical appointments, grocery stores, and so many more destinations.
And as the weather turns warmer (hopefully), we will be helping more people get to and from several events and gatherings. By train and by bus, we can safely get hundreds of people on their way to or from large events in short order.
Next Thursday, we'll carry Twins fans to and from Target Field for opening day, including the first of many special Twins trips we'll offer on the Northstar Commuter Rail Line this season.
Next Saturday, we’ll serve Twins fans, concertgoers headed to U.S. Bank Stadium and Target Center, and United fans headed to Allianz Field in St. Paul.
In general, it's worth recognizing how events like these provide unique opportunities to showcase transit to people who might not have any other reason to ride with us. In our most recent regional survey, we found that nearly 8 of 10 respondents would consider taking transit to a big event.
Looking further ahead, plans to expand State Fair Express Bus service are in the works, and we are preparing now to make sure we're ready for big events like Twin Cities Pride that will bring thousands of people together.
Because warmer months are our only window to complete rail maintenance and for partners to undertake road construction, we're also making sure we're doing what we can to limit the impacts from these projects.
Ultimately, our goal is to showcase our ability to provide a high-quality transit experience to anyone and everyone who gets on board for any reason.
Thank you in advance to all the operators, supervisors, ambassadors, transit police and others who help us do that on big event days and on every day in between.
Play ball! Twins fans can take Northstar to and from all weekday day games, all weekend games, games on Memorial and Independence days, and any home playoff games this season. See the full list of games and trip times here.
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 📍 East Franklin Avenue and 3rd Avenue South: Public Facilities Worker Mahdi Siarag helps clear snow near a Route 11 stop. Following a snowstorm, facilities workers work around the clock to clear boarding areas so riders can board safely. Looking forward: "Spring may be sprung next week," MPR weatherman Paul Huttner says.
Congratulations to Train Operator Hassan Ilmi, who was recognized this week for his response to a dangerous situation on the METRO Blue Line.
While operating on the Blue Line in January, Ilmi saw someone riding on the equipment that connects train cars, known as a coupler, and swiftly reported the situation to the Rail Control Center.
His quick actions and vigilance ensured the prompt removal of the individual and prevented any further harm. "I'm grateful for this award," Ilmi said. "My family is also very proud of me."
 Snelling Avenue Station adopters Gunnar Aas, Cole Hanson, Presley Martin and Justin Lewandowski, members of the Hamline-Midway Coalition. Tenth Street Station adopter Nancy Ruhland.
More than 300 bus stops have been "adopted" by caretakers who agree to pick up litter and report any damage that needs to be addressed by facilities staff.
But the continually expanding Adopt-A-Stop program isn't just limited to bus stops.
The Hamline-Midway Coalition, University of Minnesota marching band's baritone horn section and some college alumni associations are among the groups that have adopted light rail stations through the program.
So too have several individuals, including Saint Paul resident Nancy Ruhland, who adopted the 10th Street Station and recently took to Facebook to encourage other civic-minded people to join her one-woman fight against grime in Minnesota's capital city.
"I've been 'fostering' this area for a while by picking up trash either while I'm waiting for a train, or just out for a walk, grabbing a pair of disposable gloves and a plastic grocery bag as I leave my home," Ruhland wrote. "When the bag is full, I just throw everything in a trash can. Once I started doing it somewhat regularly, it was easier and easier to maintain."
As director of organizing for the Hamline-Midway Coalition, Justin Lewandowski saw adopting the Snelling Avenue Station as a way of combatting litter. "It's another thing we can do to get neighbors to not only advocate for change but participate by picking up trash," he said. About a dozen people have already signed up to help him.
Other light rail station adopters include U of M student Josh Pusch (and his bandmates) and Hassan Barzani, who picks up litter at three light rail stations.
 📍 North Loop Garage: On Tuesday, March 26, Advancing Women in Transit (AWT) and Women in Service to the Environment (WISE) hosted a Women's History Month brunch. The event featured stories from women trailblazers and allies from Metro Transit and Environmental Services including ES' Director of Operations Support Services Sara Smith, Bus Instructor Dorothy Maki, Director of Engineering & Facilities Marilyn Porter, Chief Operating Officer Brian Funk, and General Manager Lesley Kandaras.
Final call for donation drive items: March 31 is the final day of the AWT & WISE donation drive for Haven Housing, a local non-profit specializing in providing shelter for women, non-binary folks, and their families. For more information, contact traci.williamson@metrotransit.org.
Jean O. is a trailblazer.
In April, she will be the first woman from Metro Transit to compete in the International Bus Roadeo. She also was the first woman to win the Metro Transit Bus Roadeo in 2023, and the first woman to compete at the state competition in 2014.
"I set the bar high for myself," Jean said.
Before her big day in Portland, she's getting plenty of practice and helpful tips from co-workers and former Roadeo champions. She finds this kind of camaraderie at Metro Transit unique.
"I've never had this at another job," she said. "I know it's cliché, but it's true. We're like family and we know what each other have gone through."
Before Metro Transit, Jean worked as a forklift operator. "I wanted something different, and I knew I liked people," she said. "Then I saw an ad for Metro Transit on TV."
This new path not only led her to many Roadeo firsts, but a career that feeds her need to help people. "It's easy to drive a bus," Jean said. "It's helping people that keeps me coming back."
From transporting people during a crisis to helping a rider onboard and helping a vulnerable person get help, people are her daily focus. She hopes these interactions have a positive effect on the world.
"These days, there's a lot of negativity out there," she said. "I'm trying to do more positive things to be the change I want to see in the world."
Save the dates: The 2024 Bus Roadeo is scheduled for May! Practice begins the week of May 7, with the competition scheduled for the week of May 14. For more information, contact annette.hammerlund@metrotransit.org.
 📍 North Loop Garage: The Safety Department hosted a weeklong training last week for the U.S Department of Transportation's Transportation Safety Institute (TSI). Attendees included representatives from Safety, Bus Maintenance, MTS, and the ATU. Nineteen of the participants were from out-of-state transit agencies. The training was just one part of a four-part training to achieve the Transit Safety and Security Program (TSSP) certificate. It was the first training hosted at Metro Transit.
The Metropolitan Council and the City of Saint Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) began a search this week for a developer for the undeveloped property on the Central Station block in Saint Paul.
"The vision is for a landmark, high-density, mixed-use development that both maximizes the development potential of the site and increases transit ridership," Met Council Chair Charlie Zelle said. "The Metropolitan Council and the HRA are deeply committed to the successful development of the site."
The Met Council and HRA separately own parcels on the Central Station Redevelopment Site and are offering them, along with air rights above the METRO Green Line, as one development opportunity.
Transit Rider Investment Program (TRIP) Agent Alec Moline recently received a commendation for their presence on the system.
Alec and team boarded the train to check fares and came upon one woman who said she didn't have one. They asked her to step off the train at the next station and pay for one. I was impressed by the way Alec and the rest of the team handled the situation, especially when other passengers started giving them a hard time for trying to do their job. Alec said a few times, "We're trying to hold everyone to the same standard." I told the team as I got off the train that I appreciated them and the hard work they are doing. They are helping make the train safer.
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Tim Boden will begin his new role as assistant manager, Bus Maintenance in April. Tim will focus on the Bus Maintenance Apprenticeship Program. Previously, Boden served as a maintenance supervisor, senior maintenance training officer, fleet service supervisor and acting manager of fleet services.
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Ryan Furrier began a new role as Technical Data Analyst for the Metro Transit Police Department. Ryan will be working to tackle technical needs, including constructing queries and scripts for data extraction to be used for crime analysis, data requests, and reporting dashboards. In his free time, Ryan enjoys spending time with friends and family. His favorite route is the Green Line.
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Tony Parenteau will begin his new role as assistant manager, Bus Maintenance in April. Tony will focus on garage operations. Previously, Parenteau served as a maintenance supervisor, non-revenue supervisor, and body shop supervisor.
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Jonathan Schwab will begin his new role as assistant manager, Bus Maintenance in April. In his new role, he will be focusing on Bus Rapid Transit line cleaning initiatives. Previously, Schwab served as a stockkeeper, lead stockkeeper, and materials management supervisor.
To announce a new employee or staff promotion, email insights@metrotransit.org.
 Chief Operating Officer Brian Funk, Jim Ramstad, and General Manager Lesley Kandaras celebrating Jim's retirement on Thursday, March 28 after 11 years of service.
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Melanie Benson, operator, 47 years of service
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Thursday, April 4, 1 p.m., Nicollet Garage
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Joanne Tyler, operator, 31 years of service
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Friday, April 12, 1 p.m., East Metro Garage
To celebrate an employee milestone, please email insights@metrotransit.org.
Attend an upcoming Employee Town Hall: All employees are invited to an Employee Town Hall that will be held at North Loop Garage, Room 104 and on Teams on Wednesday, April 10, from 11 a.m. to noon. After updates from leadership, staff will have a chance to ask questions. Contact lindsey.geyer@metrotransit.org for more info. Town halls are being held at each worksite every quarter. Find the full calendar on MetNet.
Join the Move Minneapolis webinar: Listen in on Tuesday, April 2, at noon as Metro Transit staff discuss efforts to improve the rider experience and expand presence on our system. The webinar, hosted by Move Minneapolis, will be recorded for future viewing. Register here.
Shift premium pay update: On Feb. 28 the Metropolitan Council approved a new ATU Labor Agreement, which includes the new shift premiums for work conducted between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. The updated rates for impacted employees, including backpay to March 2, are expected to be complete for the next pay date of April 12. View Bulletin No. 26 for details.
De-escalation training coming in April: The Instruction Center's annual De-escalation Training is open for registration. The course will help staff recognize the indicators of aggressive behavior and apply verbal de-escalation techniques to help manage the situation. The training is open to all staff, but spots are limited. Contact a coordinator or dan.stoffer@metrotransit.org for more information.
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