Metro Transit

Two things have kept Peter Lockhart at Metro Transit for the past two decades: The ability to provide for his family and the opportunity to take on new challenges. After spending much of his career as a bus operator and instructor, his current ambition is to become a technician. To achieve that goal, Peter recently went back to school and moved into a helper position that has him doing things like fueling, inspecting and washing buses. “I've touched everything from radiators to wheelchair lifts, and it feels good to work with my hands,” he says. His advice for his kids and anyone else thinking about trying something new? “Don't settle. Keep your foot on the gas until you're ready to retire.” Learn more about Peter’s career path and opportunities to join the team that maintains our buses, trains and railways here: https://lnkd.in/gjGmeevH

Until recently, Ricky Ray owned a car dealership and found himself working long days that left little time for anything else. “I was the sales rep, accountant, mechanic, janitor," he said. "I was always on, and after a while, it became too much." So, when he caught an ad touting the competitive pay, benefits, and work-life balance operators enjoy, he took the bait and applied.?Ricky Ray started his new career in May and hasn’t looked back since.? "It was a monumental decision to close shop and begin at Metro Transit," he continued. "I used to feel guilty taking a day off, but now I have them every week." Most importantly, Ricky Ray says moving to Metro Transit has given him more time with his grandchildren and other family members.? And even when he’s at work they’ve found time to be together – recently, Ricky Ray’s daughter organized a surprise for her children to be picked up by grandpa on a Route 7 bus.?"I enjoyed opening the door and hearing them yell, 'grandpa!'" he said.?? Are you looking for a fulfilling career that helps you pay the bills without draining you all your time and energy? We’re hiring!? Explore our current openings here: https://lnkd.in/gQSUVTb5 ?

Former Metro Transit Police Chief John Harrington and former St. Paul Police Chief Todd Axtell are among those supporting our efforts to recruit and train up-and-coming police officers through our Community Service Officer (CSO) Pathway Program.?? Through the CSO Pathway Program, participants can earn 12 college credits at no cost while earning $27.30 an hour, plus benefits, while gaining valuable experience working as part-time CSOs.?? ?? Interested applicants are invited to attend an open house at our Instruction Center in Minneapolis this Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 6 p.m. Applications are due by Tuesday, Nov. 19.?? ?? Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/gxeSJPVR

A lot can happen between the time a bus hits the streets and the time it’s returned to the garage.? That’s why we’ve expanded our efforts to clean buses throughout the day, placing staff at Mall of America, and Brooklyn Center and Rosedale transit centers whose responsibilities include tidying up the interior while buses idle between trips. Staff also make minor fixes that might otherwise take buses out of service, which can create delays.? Around 8,600 buses have been cleaned between trips since the effort began six months ago.? Do you want to be a part of the team that keeps transit looking its best? We’re accepting applicants for cleaners through the end of the day today (Nov. 11).?? ? Check back in the future for opportunities to apply for positions dedicated to cleaning trains and public facilities, and for helper positions that involve cleaning and repair work.?? ? https://lnkd.in/g5RKzpXF??

Hundreds of our employees are veterans who have proudly served our country as members of the armed forces.?? ? Today, in recognition of Veterans Day, we saluted them and all veterans for their service and sacrifice at an event held at our North Loop Garage.?? ? Thank you to our Veterans Partners in Transit Employee Resource Group for organizing today's event and for supporting veterans all year by providing a forum to share stories, resources, and companionship.?? ? If you're a veteran who wants to continue serving the public in a new way, know you have a home here with us. We are approved to offer VA (GI Bill?) benefits.?? ? Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/gQSUVTb5??

We’re committed to improving conditions at stops and stations. We also want to work hand-in-hand with partners who believe, as we do, that we all have a role in creating a clean, safe, and welcoming transit system.??? ? That’s why we’re so excited about a new partnership with the Listening House of St. Paul, a non-profit that supports individuals facing poverty, homelessness, and isolation.?? ? Through this new partnership, individuals in the Listening House’s WORK NOW program will help us keep an eye on several METRO Green Line stations and bus stops, cleaning up litter and reporting any issues our facilities team needs to tend to. Wearing purple vests, they’ll be out on the system throughout the day, Monday through Thursday.?? ? The partnership is an extension of the WORK NOW pilot funded and coordinated by Ramsey County and the City of St. Paul. Through the program, unsheltered Ramsey County residents earn weekly wages and receive support securing full-time employment while helping to keep public spaces looking their best.?? ? Inspired to join us in our effort to create a consistently clean, safe, and welcoming experience across our system? Please consider adopting a bus stop or light rail station near you through our Adopt-A-Stop program: https://lnkd.in/guqV5tVv?

Becoming a police officer is no small feat.? That’s why we’ve developed a program designed to support aspiring officers every step of the way. Students who join our Community Service Officers Pathway Program will benefit from extra training, tuition support, and the kind of real-world experience that can’t be found anywhere else. All while earning $27.30 an hour, in addition to competitive benefits.? Our Community Service Officers (CSOs) work alongside police, learning about the profession while riding transit, staffing major events, and performing a variety of other duties. Many of our CSOs have gone on to become Metro Transit police officers and taken on leadership roles within the department.? No prior experience or degree is required to join the program.? Learn more at an information session on Wednesday, Nov. 13, and apply before Friday, Nov. 15. For more information, visit https://lnkd.in/gxeSJPVR ?

Diversity abounds at Metro Transit. That's why everyone in our transportation area this fall is attending classes designed to help them feel more knowledgeable and confident when interacting with people who are different than themselves. The staff-developed training covers differences in culture, gender, physical and mental abilities and more, and includes first-person accounts from staff who have faced challenges like learning a new language after immigrating to the United States. Thank you to everyone who came together to develop this unique and important program and to our ATU partners who supported this effort. Are you looking for a workplace that is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion? We’re hiring! Learn more and apply at https://lnkd.in/gQSUVTb5

Congratulations and best wishes to Kimberly Fleming, who retired this week after a remarkable 38-year career. Kimberly started out as a Route 5 operator, reconnecting with and carrying friends as she traveled through the neighborhood where she grew up. She later served as a dispatcher, assistant transportation manager, and manager. One of her most memorable moments as an operator came during the 1991 Halloween Blizzard, when she picked up a woman stranded outside just before all operations shut down. “I’ve never seen someone so happy to see me in my life,” she said. “Those moments remind me that as drivers, we’re like angels for our passengers.” After moving into management, she turned her attention to helping operators thrive and have a similar appreciation for their roles. “I was shocked to get hired, but I found where I needed to be,” she said. Looking for a rewarding career where you can grow and help others? We’re hiring! Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gQSUVTb5

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