Metro Transit

Join us today at 4 p.m. for a METRO Gold Line BRT Project construction walking tour. Project office staff will host several tours in St. Paul and Oakdale this week and next. This is an opportunity to see the progress taking place throughout the project corridor. See all tour dates and sign up online at https://lnkd.in/g3RpTa3u Upcoming walking tours: Tue., 10/29 - 4 p.m. Downtown St. Paul: Rice Park/Hamm Plaza area Wed., 10/30 – 4 p.m. St. Paul: Earl Street/Hudson Road area Sat., 11/9 – 12 p.m. Oakdale: 4th Street Bridge and Helmo Station

Burned out after years of office work, Nick Orbe found himself searching for a career that offered something different. Operating a train, he thought, could be exactly the kind of unique experience he was looking for.  With no previous background in transportation, he wasn’t sure what to expect. “I thought I wouldn’t even get a call back,” he said. “I had never driven anything larger than a sedan before.”  To his surprise, he received an offer and started at Metro Transit in 2023. Once onboard, the reality of his big transition from a corporate office to operating a light rail vehicle sank in.   “Learning to operate a bus and train was stressful at first,” he recalled. “However, the instructors here are fantastic. They all want you to succeed.”  Today, Nick enjoys working primarily on the METRO Blue Line and looks forward to a long career in a new role he loves. And he encourages anyone out there looking for a new career to give it a shot.   “Don’t let self-doubt stop you. If it interests you, apply!” Nick said.   Ready to join the team that keeps the metro moving? Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/gQSUVTb5 

We had a wonderful time visiting with prospective employees at the People of Color Career Fair yesterday. Didn't have a chance to visit our booth? Learn more about how you can join the team that keeps the metro moving at https://lnkd.in/gQSUVTb5

Congratulations and best wishes to our newest train operators, who celebrated their graduations last week. These operators completed an extensive training program to prepare themselves for the big responsibility of carrying thousands of customers safely to their destinations every day. We are continuously hiring bus operators and expect to accept train operator applications again next year. Like all our employees, operators receive excellent benefits, access to ongoing professional development opportunities, and the satisfaction of providing an essential public service. Ready to join the team that keeps the metro moving? Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/gQSUVTb5

Meet Dispatcher Lobsang Choephel, who like many of our employees has found opportunity to learn and grow throughout his career at Metro Transit. Want to work somewhere you can create your own path? We’re hiring! https://lnkd.in/gQSUVTb5 How did you begin your career with Metro Transit? After my parents fled Tibet, I immigrated to the United States in 1992. I attempted to join Metro Transit in 1996 but wasn’t successful. After gaining experience, including at a hotel and in patient transportation, I applied again and was thrilled to finally pursue my passion for driving a city bus. What were your career goals and what steps did you take to achieve them? My primary goal has always been to drive and train others in transit. After starting as a bus operator, I aimed to expand my responsibilities. In 2009, I successfully transitioned into a train operator role. At rail, I became a relief instructor, which allowed me to share knowledge and learn from my students. I also noticed an opening for a relief dispatch position and applied, passing the tests. By continuously seeking new opportunities and being open to different roles, I was able to advance. And it helps to be dedicated to your work. I recently received a 10-year safe driving award at Ovations. What advice do you have for others who want to take on more responsibilities or different responsibilities? Be open to trying new things and to stepping outside your comfort zone. I often tell colleagues that, just like tasting different foods, you won’t know if you like something unless you give it a try. If you start in one role, explore others within the organization, as there are many chances to advance and learn new skills.

Thank you to everyone who’s joined us at recent listening sessions for conversations about what we can do to improve your experience on transit. General Manager Lesley Kandaras and other leaders will be back out on Friday, Oct. 11, to continue hearing from you. Join us at Mall of America Transit Station from 5 to 6:30 p.m. As always, you can also send us your thoughts by email (comments@metrotransit.org) or by calling 612-373-3333.

Congratulations to the top finishers in our Bus Maintenance Roadeo! The top-placing team – technicians Sam, Devin, and Travis from our Overhaul Base – will now represent us at an international competition that will be held in Austin, Texas, next April. Other top-placing teams recognized this week include: 🔧 Technicians Ravie, Mike, and Dan from Heywood Garage (second) 🔧 Technicians Carlos, Gary, and Tom from the Overhaul Base (third) During the friendly competition, teams completed a 30-question written test and moved through a series of hands-on challenges in HVAC, transmissions, air brakes, engines, and inspections. Scores were based on time and accuracy. Think you have what it takes to be a mechanic at Metro Transit? We’re hiring! Pay starts at $39.51 an hour and hiring bonuses of up to $4,000 are provided for all positions. Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/gQXtA8Gq

We have a bold vision for the future of transit in our region.     This includes opening new transitways, expanding service on popular routes, adapting our express network to provide more all-day service in key corridors, and offering on-demand microtransit services in suburban areas.     These and other ideas are captured in Network Now, our plan to improve service through the end of 2027.  Before bringing our final plan to the Metropolitan Council for adoption early next year, we are inviting comment through in-person and virtual meetings and an online survey.     Several community meetings will be held this week to provide more information and hear from you. Please join us on the following dates:     - Monday, Oct. 7, 5:30 – 7 p.m. (virtual)  - Tuesday, Oct. 8, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Minneapolis Central Library   - Thursday, Oct. 10, 5:30 – 7 p.m., Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, St. Paul    Register for the October 7 virtual event and find more information at: https://lnkd.in/gMxjXUhF

When moving big transit projects forward, we work hard to make sure we’re hearing from people across the community.     Over the past several months, those efforts centered largely on gathering comments on the Blue Line Extension’s Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS), a weighty document that describes how the project will impact homeowners, businesses, and the environment, among other areas. Feedback on the SDEIS will be used in finalizing plans to avoid, minimize, or mitigate project impacts.      Throughout the comment period, several Metro Transit and Hennepin County employees went out of their way to uplift the voices of people along the corridor and empower them to remain active as planning continues.     Recognized last month through our Awarding Accomplishment program were:     - Neha Damle, P.E., Environmental Compliance Lead    - Nkongo Cigolo, Public Involvement Manager    - Kelcie Young, Environmental Manager    - Kyle Mianulli, Communications Administrator (not pictured) Community engagement efforts will continue across the Blue Line Extension corridor as we move toward final design (2025), construction, and opening day. Find the latest information on the project at: https://lnkd.in/g5QdjeJJ  

Our Transit Rider Investment Program (TRIP) is growing! After a recent hiring push, we now have nearly 40 TRIP Agents on the Blue and Green lines all day, every day. Many of these new TRIP Agents, including the group you see here, previously served as bus or train operators. While on the system, their responsibilities include inspecting fares, assisting customers, and stepping forward when they observe things like medical emergencies. Recent examples of their work include reuniting children who got separated from their parent on the Blue Line and providing rescue breaths while calling for help as someone experienced an asthma attack at Snelling Avenue Station. All-in-all, TRIP Agents have had more than 250,000 contacts with customers since the program launched in February (impressive, right?). Interested in a career where you can be active and make a difference? Stay tuned: We’ll begin accepting new TRIP Agent applications soon and are aiming to have 100 TRIP employees working on light rail and bus rapid transit lines by the end of next year. In the meantime, please continue to show these TRIP Agents some love as you see them out there!