From General Manager Lesley Kandaras
In the conversations I have with employees, riders, and partners, public safety on transit is the topic people raise most frequently.
This week, we shared the news that the number of reported crimes on transit fell 7.7% in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the first quarter of 2023. At the same time, our ridership increased 13% in quarter 1 of 2024 compared to quarter 1 of 2023. To place this in context, we provided an average of nearly 145,000 rides on weekdays in March 2024.
However, I know from conversations with staff, riders, and my own experiences riding, that we still have a lot more work to do to make every experience on transit a safe and welcoming one.
This is why we must continue advancing work to improve conditions, support employees, and engage partners – the three areas of work identified in our Safety & Security Action Plan.
The most notable advances we’ve made so far this year are outlined in our latest quarterly update on the Safety & Security Action Plan. They include:
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The installation of more visible decals that help light rail customers know what vehicle they’re on when reporting issues through Text for Safety and the expanded use of onboard monitors that remind riders cameras are in use.
Looking forward, we’ll remain focused on expanding our official presence on transit through efforts to recruit and retain police officers, Community Service Officers, and TRIP Agents, and by working in partnership with law enforcement partners and service providers.
We are also taking a closer look at how we can better prepare staff through de-escalation training and better support them after critical incidents.
And we will continue our "Take Pride In Your Ride" campaign by putting out strong anti-harassment messages later this year.
I look forward to providing updates on these and other initiatives in our next quarterly update and as I visit facilities again this summer for the next round of Employee Town Halls.
Until then, please know that I appreciate the hard work underway to address our public safety challenges and welcome your ideas about what more we should be doing to consistently deliver the safe, clean, and reliable experience everyone on transit deserves.
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Sign up for May's Great Day in Transit!
We're moving off vehicles and back onto platforms for the Wednesday, May 15 employee engagement day, Great Day in Transit. Find your favorite stop or station, or sign up to experience a new one here. Questions? Contact julie.martinez@metrotransit.org.
Note: In June, Great Day in Transit will be held on Tuesday, June 18, to coincide with a rail anniversary celebration at Target Field Station. The Blue Line will reach 20 years of service and the Green Line will reach 10 years of service. To celebrate, we'll be having a "railgate" at Target Field Station plaza from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. -- and make sure to stick around for the Twins game, we've got some Metro Transit group options!
 A Juxtaposition Arts student’s design for a cling to be installed at a D Line BRT bus shelter on May 14.
Art featuring faces of north Minneapolis residents, geometric designs, motorcycles and an illustrated bus interior will be installed as clings in mid-May on the glass of several METRO D Line BRT stations.
Funded by a Ladders of Opportunity grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the art is being created with the help of Juxtaposition Arts’ students and the Walker Art Center, which worked with artist Cameron Patricia Downey of north Minneapolis. She photographed people in the neighborhoods around her four assigned stations to incorporate into her creations.
Plans call for the art clings to be installed in time for D Line art celebrations starting at noon May 18 and continuing to mid-afternoon at Juxtaposition Arts and North Regional Library in Minneapolis.
Three stations will have art with geometric designs from Juxtaposition students:
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#8948 at N. 44th Avenue and N. Girard Avenue
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#43275 at N. Emerson Avenue and W. Broadway
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#8919 at 7th Street and Bryant Avenue N.
Four will display Downey’s art:
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#11161 at Plymouth Avenue North and Freemont Avenue S.
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#8935 at Emerson Avenue North and Lowry Avenue N.
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#11146 at Freemont Avenue North and Lowry Avenue N.
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#8945 at Freemont Avenue North and N. 42nd Avenue.
Congratulations and best wishes to our newest train operators, who celebrated the completion of their training last week alongside family members, co-workers, and leadership from the ATU Local 1005. Graduates include:
Dijonna Chambers-Brandon, Taj Davis, Tenzin Dhonyoe, Charles Engeldinger, Jr., Camryn Green, Diamond Jenkins, Mitchell Miller, Bill Peltzman, and Roberto Sicairos.
They join more than 100 other train operators dedicated to providing safe, reliable service on the METRO Green and Blue lines, which together are seeing more than 45,000 average weekday rides.
More operators means more service. With continued hiring success, we aim to begin running light rail trains every 12 minutes throughout the day beginning in August.
We're continuously accepting bus operator applications and will be seeking train operator applications as soon as August. No previous experience is required, and paid training is available to those who need to earn a CDL permit.
 Bobby Andress, Neha Damle, Nikki Muehlhausen, and Sadixa Sanjel
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. It’s a month dedicated to highlighting the diverse cultures and important role Asian Americans have played and continue to play in America.
Why is AAPI month important to you?
"It’s a time for me to remember just how far I’ve come on my personal journey — from enduring intolerance & overcoming the struggle of self-loathing, to the beautiful acceptance of being different. I wish for everyone, whether they’re Asian American or not, to mark this month by celebrating their uniqueness." - Nikki Muehlhausen, principal communications specialist and MTPD public information officer
Is there someone in the AAPI community who has inspired you?
"My mother taught me about the culture of Japan, origami as well as the lullabies that I sing to my grandkids." -- Bobby Andress, transportation manager, North Loop Garage
"Everyone in their own way! Some have inspired with their knowledge, some with the heights they have reached, some with kindness in their heart and some with homely feeling! Everything is equally important to me." -- Neha Damle, environmental compliance lead, Blue Line Extension Project Office
What cultural tradition do you celebrate that is important to you?
"I celebrate Dashain, a major festival in my home country Nepal, that embodies the essence of family, and community. The celebration spans 15 days, each day marked by its own unique rituals and significance, and is a time where families come together. Through Dashain, we celebrate the triumph of good over evil, the importance of family and community, and the enduring strength of our traditions and cultural heritage." -- Sadixa Sanjel, data scientist, Strategic Initiatives
Celebrate AAPI month at one of these upcoming events: Join staff in North Loop Garage, 104 for food, a cooking demo, and more at noon on Wednesday, May 8. Other events include a Lunch & Learn event and an employee panel. Reach out to jenni.jee@metc.state.mn.us for more info.
If you would like to highlight your culture in an upcoming issue of Insights, reach out to rachel.cagle@metrotransit.org in Equity & Inclusion.
 📍 Franklin Avenue:General Manager Lesley Kandaras, Chief Ernest Morales III and Captain Richard Raymond this week participated in a parade and other festivities celebrating recently completed renovations at the Minneapolis American Indian Center on Franklin Avenue, described by Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan as the “birthplace of the American Indian Movement.” The "We Are on Dakota Land" bus was also part of the parade and used to transport elders to the event. May is recognized as American Indian Month.
Learn more about recent renovations at the American Indian Center
Join colleagues from across the Council at the upcoming Great Workplace Project celebration event. The event will focus on Workplace Norm 6: We value teambuilding as an essential element of workplace health and success.
Stop by North Loop Garage, room 104 from 1 to 3 p.m. on Monday, May 13 for games and activities that center on teamwork and meet Metro Transit's new Assistant General Manager of Administration and External Affairs, Alyssa Haugen.
Contact christopher.darsow@metrotransit.org for more information.
Nicollet operator Teron Hess recently received a commendation for their customer service.
I wanted to thank my driver for providing great service. They said they are an ambassador for Metro Transit. They went above and beyond to explain transit to someone who is not familiar with this service.
--David O
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Droo Gibbs joins Strategic Initiatives as Business Systems Analyst 3. He will be working to support TXbase as it stands today and as TXbase moves into retirement with the introduction of a new EAMS system across the Council. Droo will continue to support Metro Transit's business processes thereafter. In his free time, Droo enjoys working on old automobiles and motorcycles, riding his bike, and woodworking. His most frequented routes? The METRO Blue Line and the Route 21, which are near his home.
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Ryan Pitman joins Transit Information as Field Operations Supervisor. In this role, Ryan will manage the day-to-day work of signage maintenance and real-time signage teams, ensuring customers have access to reliable, up-to-date information throughout the system. Ryan is no stranger to transit, having served more than 10 years as a bus operator based out of Nicollet Garage. His favorite route to drive was the Route 2, and currently lives near the Route 4. When he’s off the clock Ryan enjoys mountain biking, watching baseball, and enjoying Minnesota summers.
To announce a new employee or staff promotion, email insights@metrotransit.org.
 📍 Portland, Oregon: Way to go, team! Operator Jeanne is the first woman from Metro Transit to compete in the American Public Transportation Association's International Bus Roadeo. Jeanne became the first woman to win our Bus Roadeo last year and was the first woman to compete at the state competition in 2014. During a Bus Roadeo, operators complete a series of written and driving tests and are scored based on accuracy and time. "I set the bar high for myself," Jeanne said.
Also competing on the international stage is a team of technicians from North Loop Garage who came out on top during our Bus Maintenance Roadeo last year.
Sharpen your roadeo skills: Operators are invited to join Safety Specialists out on the course during roadeo practice days to test the course, sharpen skills, and receive coaching. You do not need to be registered for the competition to attend practice. For more information, contact annette.hammerlund@metrotransit.org.
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Gregory Lindwall, operator, 23 years of service
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Friday, May 3, 11 a.m., Blue Line O&M, third floor breakroom
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Bob Peterson, senior manager, Revenue Operations, 17 years of service
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Friday, May 3, 11 a.m., OSC Washington Room
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Steve Rippey, business systems manager, 15 years of service
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Friday, May 3, 11 a.m., North Loop Garage, 104
To celebrate an employee milestone, please email insights@metrotransit.org.
Beginning today: Buses replace Blue Line trains: Due to rail maintenance, buses will replace Blue Line trains between the Fort Snelling and Mall of America stations from May 3 through May 13. Airport shuttle service will continue to operate. Riders who would normally use the 30th Avenue Park & Ride are being encouraged to use the Fort Snelling Park & Ride.
Join the upcoming Service Review Meeting: Quarterly service changes will take effect on Saturday, June 15. All employees are invited to learn more about what's in store by attending the Service Review Meeting at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 8. Join in person at North Loop Garage, 104 or via Teams. Add the event to your calendar.
Show off your Metro Transit superpower: "Super Skip" graphic t-shirts are available for individual purchase for interested staff. The design, created by Transit Information Rep Ms,Shatia Hamilton, is part of a campaign to educate riders on all the ways they can access transit information tools. You can order your t-shirt here. For questions, contact kelly.morrell@metrotransit.org.
Gain leadership experience as Metro Transit’s Charitable Giving lead: The Met Council’s Charitable Campaign is seeking a Metro Transit employee to be the Divisional Manager for the 2024 campaign. The manager will collaborate on campaign planning, support events, collect fundraising proceeds, document campaign activities, and more. Speak to your manager if interested and reach out to christopher.darsow@metrotransit.org for more information.
Coffee with Supes begins next week: Join Street Operations for "Coffee with Supes." Get to know Street Supervisors, ask questions, and provide feedback. Upcoming events include: Heywood Garage on Wednesday, May 8 at 10:30 a.m., Blue Line on Tuesday, May 14 at 11 a.m. and Green Line on Wednesday, May 15 at 2 p.m. Contact heidi.wrenson@metrotransit.org for more information.
Join these upcoming PRIDE ERG events: The Pride ERG is attending Twins Pride Day at Target Field on Saturday, June 15 at 1:10 p.m. The ERG will also be participating in this year’s Twin Cities Pride Festival and Parade. Sign-ups are linked if you are interested in attending the game, staffing the festival booth, or walking in the parade. For more info contact nathan.bakken@metrotransit.org.
New LOD classes: Learn a new skill or build an existing one through LOD. The Councilwide training and development team has announced their summer classes, including "Building Facilitation Skills" and "Lateral Leadership -- Influencing without Authority." For more information, contact LearningInstitute@metc.state.mn.us.
Upcoming detour near Heywood Campus: Due to Green Line Extension work, North 7th Street between Olson Memorial Highway and North 5th Avenue near Target Field will be closed Friday, May 10 through Sunday, May 12. Detour signage will be posted, primarily utilizing Glenwood Avenue. The LRT bridge connects the existing Target Field Station to the new Royalston Avenue/Farmers Market Station.
Orange Lot staircase detour: The Heywood Orange Lot staircase is getting a much-needed re-fresh. A walking detour will be in place Monday, May 6 through Friday, May 10.
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