I Drive It: Meet Donald, Community Transit Coach Operator

When your job goes from handling small pieces of machinery to handling machinery that is nearly 50,000 lbs, that's a big change! After years of trouble shooting photoelectric sensors as an electric bench technician, we are happy that Donald decided to stretch his legs and give driving the bus a go. In almost 12 years (and getting close to his Million Mile Driver Award goal), Donald has expanded not only his view out the window, but his view inside the window as well.

It was the excitement at the responsibility of driving a large passenger vehicle that initially inspired Donald to drive for us. While he had driven a semi-trailer truck before, the thought of a vehicle with space inside and people as its precious cargo was a little intimidating. Our nine-week comprehensive training program soon set his mind at ease. "I appreciated how in-depth the training program was. Our training department is really top-of-the-line. I was given such a sense of confidence because I didn't have to worry too much about what might happen on the road. As long as I followed my training, I was fully prepared."

Along with confidence came the connection with passengers inside the bus. "Right away I started understanding service is about people helping people. I like that part. The people I serve is life; it's why I'm here. One morning I was driving the 116 from Silver Firs and a woman up front was acting a bit edgy like she was running late. She said to me, 'I know you don't care, but I really need to catch the 113 at Ash Way. I don't want to miss my bus.' That really affected me. In her experience drivers are robots, just driving the bus. I looked at her and said, 'Don't worry, you'll catch your bus. And by the way, I really do care.' Her whole demeanor changed and she relaxed."

Donald said this commitment to service makes him proud to work for Community Transit. "Because the company as a whole values service, it really sets us apart from other agencies. The higher-ups respect and listen to all employees. This helps the demeanor of the drivers and creates a wonderful camaraderie here."

What do you value in a workplace? Do you feel valued by your workplace in return? If making a difference in people's lives is important to you, we're hiring Coach Operators: www.communitytransit.org/drive4us

Meet Jon Elmgren: Community Transit's 2015 Transportation Employee of the Year

The lure of the open road and making a difference in one's community are motivators for many of our Coach Operators to choose driving for us as a second career. We are lucky to have drivers from all walks of life, with prior careers that are interesting and varied. From former pastors to French chefs, you may be surprised by the story of how your bus driver ended up behind the wheel.

Jon Elmgren started his career as a Data Analyst for Boeing before transitioning to the insurance industry where he worked for 25 years. The desire to be of public service led Jon to investigate a second career that he could be passionate about. He found his way to us in May 2008 (he was in the same training class as Dispatcher Jessica Greene). A former rider who knew the area well (he and his wife built their home in NE Monroe in 1980), Jon just knew driving for us would be a career he would really enjoy. "I like the variety of driving different routes in different areas. I get to drive for awhile and use my breaks to take a walk, get some exercise, and stay active."

When our Coach Operators go above and beyond in their service, sometimes our riders are kind enough to give a commendation so we can recognize them. When Jon was driving the Boeing to Gold Bar route, a serious traffic situation encouraged Jon to call Dispatch to problem solve how to reroute so our customers wouldn't be further delayed. One Boeing employee was so impressed with Jon's commitment to customer service, he called to say thank you for getting him home on time. This commendation earned Jon the honor of Transportation Employee of the Month, which translated to Transportation Employee of the Quarter to Transportation Employee of the Year.

"It feels good to be acknowledged. Community Transit drivers are a notch above in terms of how friendly they are and the service they provide. To be chosen for this honor was a real surprise." Funny enough, Jon says he saw the customer who complemented him not that long ago. "I was getting ready to start my route, but I saw him standing in line for a different bus. I jumped out of my bus to tell him the news. He was really excited."

Small acts of kindness can make a huge difference in someone's day, month, or even year. Congratulations, Jon, on being chosen as Community Transit's 2015 Transportation Employee of the Year. We are so pleased your dedication to service was recognized by your customer, your peers, and our agency. Thank you for being part of the Community Transit family.

Has a Coach Operator made a difference in your day? Don't wait for Bus Driver Appreciation Day to tell them; let us know in the comments below!

Meet Devan Hogan: Community Transit Coach Operator

When every day is different, it certainly keeps the work day from getting boring! Rotating schedules, changing environments, and a wide range of vehicles and customer personalities have Coach Operator Devan Hogan looking forward to the unique challenges each day will bring.

Though Devan has been with Community Transit for less than two years, there have been opportunities where he has driven all of Snohomish County in the course of a week. "Going different places every day is fun. I get to see gorgeous sunrises and sunsets every day. New places and new faces makes it feel like I'm doing something new every day."

Devan stresses how important diversity training was when training to be a Coach Operator, "We learned to be sensitive to different kinds of people. One of the biggest things we deal with are different personalities every day, some of which can be difficult. We learn how to be patient and answer questions, and to respect that everyone is in a different stage in their life."

Different routes require different buses as well. "The length of a bus changes how it drives. While I've driven Swift and our articulated 60' buses, surprisingly it's the 40' buses are the most challenging to drive. They're harder to turn since the axles are further apart." Driving these challenging vehicles makes Devan feel like he can do anything, "It's a fun job. It's given me the confidence to feel that if I can drive any of those vehicles, what else can I drive? I'm thinking a motorcycle next."

Thank you, Devan, for being part of the Community Transit family and for reminding us that every day is an opportunity for embracing change and learning something new.

Do you value a work environment where every day is different? Share your comments below!

"I'm Parminder. And I Drive It."

Coach Operators do more than safely drive our buses. They connect our customers with work, school, medical care, errands, friends and family. Our drivers are the first friendly face people see when they board. For many of our customers, seeing their regular coach operators every day fosters a sense of community, too. Drivers like Parminder are the face of our agency, and we rely on them to bring our customers home.

A lot has changed at Community Transit since Parminder arrived here from India over 25 years ago. Our bus fleet has evolved to include Double Tall and Swift vehicles, our service area has expanded to over 1,300 square miles, and our coach operator team has doubled in size to over 300 drivers. And we continue to grow! Our drivers now operate routes which include spacious rural regions, charming small towns, and bustling metro areas. Parminder enjoys this change of pace and scenery, "I've done a lot of different routes, and now I drive from Stanwood to Smokey Point/Arlington. I go around lakes and see cattle grazing in fields. I enjoy the mixture of small town driving and countryside driving."

On routes with less congestion, like Parminder's, there's an opportunity for drivers to build a relationship with their regular riders. "I get a lot of senior citizens who are running errands. They call me kid. I feel very blessed to provide service to these people. It makes me feel happy and welcome." It's not all commuters and seniors that Parminder gets to engage with, though. He is also part of a team of 5-6 drivers who drive our articulated buses as part of STEP (School Transit Education Program). He even gets to join Oxy Gene in parades across Snohomish County driving one of the antique buses that were part of our fleet when he first started working with us."

Coach operators like Parminder get behind the wheel after completing and passing a six week comprehensive training program. After graduating from our program they continue to receive training on new routes and new equipment. They also receive yearly ride checks from instructors where they get feedback and coaching on their driving skills. Lastly, our drivers attend yearly refresher training where they are kept abreast of new topics in their field. It is this commitment to supporting our coach operators that really makes a difference. Parminder says, "The atmosphere here is really nice. My colleagues are always helpful, from dispatch to other drivers. There's a lot of teamwork."

Thank you, Parminder, for working hard for over 25 years to bring our customers home. I'm sure they enjoy your smile and positive attitude as much as we do.

Meet Sara Leekley: Community Transit Coach Operator

You never know when a random conversation with someone will change your life. Sara Leekley was attending her high school reunion when a chance encounter with Chris Beck, our HR Program Manager, changed everything. After working as an Administrative Assistant for 25 years, Sara was looking to find a new career that would leave her feeling inspired. Chris enthusiastically suggested she drive for us!

Sara admitted to feeling pretty intimidated at the start of training. "I was terrified at first. You have to have a healthy respect for such a humongous vehicle." But the small, three person class and the encouragement of the trainers had her feeling more and more confident each day. "I loved the training department. They were incredibly thorough, and knew just how to push you a little out of your comfort zone. You learn and grow so much."

 This love of learning has continued in the last year since Sara got behind the wheel. "I learn something new every day. About people. About Snohomish County. I'm even more aware of what's going on in nature. I never noticed the change of seasons before. Now, when I watch the sun come up and it's just gorgeous outside, I think to myself, 'I get paid to drive around all day. This is awesome!'"

Sara spent five years working for the Coast Guard after high school. She spent most of her teen years growing up on a sailboat, making the two hour commute each way from the family sailboat in Port Orchard to Junior High and High School in Seattle (of course utilizing public transit to get there!). "I've been looking for my last job for a long time. One that I'll enjoy until I'm done working. The funny thing is, when I got my uniform for this job, it looked the same as my uniform for my first job."

We are excited to have you on board, Sara! Your love for being on the road is inspirational. We hope this is the "last job" you've been looking for.

What inspires you at your job? Is it learning? Connecting with people? Let us know in the comments!

Meet Joanie Kaemingk: Community Transit Coach Operator

Are you a people person? If so, you know how hard it is to have a job where you don't get to connect with others. Having a thriving eBay store wasn't enough for Joanie Kaemingk. "I just love customer contact. Even though my store was successful, I was really missing that. I just couldn't work alone anymore."

Joanie approached this new career path as a Community Transit Coach Operator with a little nervousness and a lot of energy. "When I started training, I was a little bit scared at first. But Behrooz, Jessica, and Treva in the training department were so good to me and treated me so well. I was determined to do my best."

While her downtown routes are certainly exciting ("I like the people, the congestion, the energy!"), what delights Joanie most are the local routes where she can connect with people. "I really appreciate when I get to help seniors and people with special needs. I'll hear such wonderful stories. One 86 year old customer shared with me how she used to live on a boat, that she retired from Boeing, and how her deceased husband was the love of her life. These people just want to be seen, to have someone listen to their story. I try to treat people with dignity, because you don't know what's going on in someone's life."

Surprising connections go beyond the customer at Community Transit, too. "There's such a sense of community here. Even though I've only been here almost two years, I'm friends with several of the other drivers."

Thank you, Joanie, for sharing your passion for making meaningful connections. Your enthusiasm and kindness make such a difference, to this agency, to your peers, and to our customers.

Do you strive to make an impact on others in your career? Is it important to you to connect with others while at work?

Coach Operator Jay Griggs has the Write Stuff

Coach Operator and author, Jay Griggs poses with his book at a recent book signing.

We all have a story to tell, but how many of us can say their story has been published and is now available for purchase on Amazon.com?

Our bus driver Jay Griggs can say that!

His first book, “The Adventures of Duck Poo Island,” has 26 five-star reviews on Amazon.com and he’s already working on his second book. 

The book is a story about two best friends who vow to stay friends despite the odds that promise to divide them. The setting of the story is inspired by a family trip to Green Lake, a couple of pedal boats and a little island. Jay’s book is published by Page Publishing in New York, a partnership he cherishes as they “handle the business end of things, so I can focus on the creative side.” 

Jay credits his mom, Alice, and his favorite teacher, Mrs. Allen, for “instilling in me the love for reading and the passion for writing.” 

The support Jay has received from his co-workers helped increase his fan base, which was very influential in securing next steps for his writing career.

“The turnout at my book signing was amazing. Community Transit has been very supportive, especially, Chris Beck and Emmett Heath for allowing me to do a pre-order sale of my book at work. My co-workers supported me by purchasing copies of my book,” Jay said.

“Working at Community Transit gave me the job security and income that I needed to allow me to pursue my dreams and I’m grateful!” 

You can find Jay’s book available in paperback and for Kindle on Amazon.com. When he’s not writing, Jay can be found driving his favorite Routes 201, 202, 130 and a couple of round trips on Route 196. 

2,4,6,8...Who Do We Appreciate?

For purposes of this particular post, Coach Operators!

Yesterday was Bus Driver Appreciation Day (March 18). While non-holiday, notable days help us give drivers of all modes of public transportation some props, we work to recognize our Coach Operators throughout the year for the good things they do every day.

Here are some of the ways we do this:

• The Reliability Award. That Perfect Attendance award you got in school translates to this award when you drive for Community Transit. This award is given to Coach Operators who have zero unscheduled absences during the quarter. In 2013, anywhere between 29-35 percent of our Coach Operators received this award each quarter (approximately 73-88 Coach Operators on average each quarter).

• Coach Operator of the Quarter. The coach operator earning this distinction has driven skillfully with no infractions, is reliable (there's that perfect attendance again!), has had no disciplinary actions, no preventable accidents, and no negative public comments during the last 12 months. Also very important-- s/he has provided great service to our customers. Each of the four Coach Operators of the Quarter automatically become finalists for Coach Operator of the Year. The reigning Coach Operator of the Year is Ray Harnish, who earned this award for 2012 and who happens to also be 2 Million Mile Driver.
  
  2013 was the last year of this quarterly reward. In its place is the Transportation Department of the Month/Quarter/Year Award which enables coach operators, dispatcher, supervisors and management staff in the department to earn recognition.

Million Mile Drivers are honored by having their name and designation assigned to a bus in our fleet.

• Million Mile Driver. We have 69 active Million Mile Drivers and eight 2-Million Mile Drivers we are pleased to call Community Transit Coach Operators. In case you were wondering, a million miles is equivalent to 40 trips around the Earth or two round trips to the Moon.

• It usually takes a Coach Operator 12 years of full-time work to rack up one million miles, but add the distinction of driving those million miles without incurring a preventable accident (not even clipping a side mirror on a tree branch!) and you’ve got one heck of a milestone. In addition to receiving a commemorative jacket and a plaque, Million Mile Drivers have their Million Mile Driver (MMD) status displayed on one of our buses. You've probably seen them around town (as shown in the photo above).

• Certificate of Appreciation. When it’s “all hands on deck” at Community Transit (inclement weather, a Super Bowl celebration parade, for example), you can be sure staff agency-wide roll up their sleeves and ask “What can I do to help?”
  
  For example, our Coach Operators have helped shuttle firefighters to forest fires in the Leavenworth area, evacuated residents from homes due to threats of flood, assisted in police transports and participated in mass casualties drills for Snohomish County.

• For example, our Coach Operators have helped shuttle firefighters to forest fires in the Leavenworth area, evacuated residents from homes due to threats of flood, assisted in police transports and participated in mass casualties drills for Snohomish County.

• Official Commendations. We welcome commendations from our customers! Compliments from you are not only appreciated by our drivers, but also earn them recognition among their peers and supervisors. When you send in a commendation (using the methods below), please include the bus and route number.

• Email riders@commtrans.org

• Call (425) 353-7433

• Send a letter to Community Transit, 7100 Hardeson Road, Everett, WA 98203, Attn: Customer Service

What does your workplace do to make you feel appreciated and recognized for the work you've done? Please share in the comments below.