March In Transit2014 April A NEWSLETTER FOR TRANSIT EMPLOYEES 2015 FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER’S DESK PACE committee shares new strategic Innovation defines us plan for comprehensive equity At Metro, we embrace innovation at every turn, seeking and adopting new ways of doing business, solving problems, applying technology, and more. Over the years we’ve fostered a culture of innovation that has led to many successes and helped us achieve the respect and support of our customers, governing officials, and peer agencies. I believe that a workplace without innovation is headed for mediocrity, if not failure. The world is constantly changing and presenting new Metro employees participate in the March 5 PACE workshop. challenges, and sometimes the old ways are no longer good enough in the face On March 5, Metro employees and guests gathered at the State Convention of those challenges. All of us—not just Center for an all-day PACE retreat and work session. The event saw the debut of the leaders and managers—need to ask, second installment of the PACE Strategic Plan for Comprehensive Equity. Here’s an update “How can this be done better? Is there a from PACE program manager Anita Whitfield. new or untapped resource we can use?” Achieving the PACE vision will be a continuing PACE Vision Statement When I look ahead, I see Metro’s journey—and we now have the beginnings King County Metro is committed to capacity for continuous improvement of a road map to guide us. Much as Metro’s building and sustaining an inclusive, and innovation remaining healthy for long-range transit plan will guide us toward a fair and equitable workplace for years to come. Some programs and vision of future public transportation services everyone. Our culture thrives on the projects are (or will be) highly visible, for the region, the PACE Strategic Plan for richness and diversity of our unique but others will stay under the radar. Comprehensive Equity will begin to guide us workforce. We are a community built These quiet innovations, which affect our toward our vision of the future Metro workplace. staff, facilities, services, communications, on a foundation of collaboration hiring practices, labor relations, The plan speaks directly to the challenges we and mutual respect. marketing, and more, are very important expect to encounter along the way, focusing on to our success. three critical areas: our people, our organizational culture, and our systems and structures. Here are a few of the quieter innovations It draws on recommendations advanced by employee PACE subcommittees that were we’re working on now, or will be soon: charged with identifying and addressing challenges in a variety of areas. It shapes those CONTINUED ON PAGE 11 • Introducing alternative services in areas where traditional bus service IN THIS ISSUE cannot thrive but other types of 2 ANNUAL TRANSIT 4 NEWS BRIEFS 8 KUDOS service can meet community needs. MEETING 6 SECURITY SENSITIVE 10 NEW TRIP PLANNER APP CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 3 LONG-RANGE PLAN 7 PERFORMANCE CORNER 12 ON THE MOVE Metro’s 2015 annual meeting

Metro’s annual meeting for managers, supervisors, superintendents, and chiefs was held Jan. 28 at the Public Library in . The first order of business was a review by General Manager Kevin Desmond of last year’s accomplishments, which included record ridership, the launch of the RapidRide E and F Lines, and the development of the ORCA LIFT reduced fare program. This year’s meeting featured panel discussions on the PACE Initiative and the continuous improvement efforts in Vehicle Maintenance. Desmond introduced new staff members, and Service Development Superintendent Jon Bez and (now) Manager of Strategy, Policy and Performance Chris O’Claire shared highlights of our 2014 performance measures before Desmond revealed key initiatives for the coming year (listed at right).

Staff members listen to updates on Metro's plans for 2015.

Tutti Compton, Operations, asks Desmond a Bez and O'Claire report on Metro's performance in 2014. question.

José Reyna, Power and Facilities, makes a point during a panel discussion on the Jerry Rutledge, Power and PACE initiative. Facilities, gives a lesson on ”lateral logic.”

2 MAR / APR 2015 2015 Key Initiatives Taking the long view • ORCA LIFT – new low-income rider What should our transit system look like in 25 years? How will Metro integrate fare with the expanding light rail system? Civic leaders asked similar questions years ago, and their resulting vision led to the public transportation system we rely on • Seattle service – add 223,000 today. annual service hours in June/ September King County is growing fast. It’s time we lay the foundation for a public transportation system that will move more people and move them better—for • Alternative services – provide decades to come. alternatives, like community shuttles, where regular service isn’t practical Metro is developing its first long-range plan since the mid-1990s, in what may • Link and – well be our biggest planning project over the next two years. operate the and “It’s critical that we position ourselves to meet the county’s growing demand for Link extensions to the University of transit and support the emerging light rail lines,” wrote General Manager Kevin Washington and south of Sea-Tac Desmond in a Jan. 9 e-newsletter. Airport To develop a long-range (through 2040) vision and plan for the services Metro • Long-range transit plan – plan will provide to get people where they want to go and help our economy, Metro’s future service network, with environment, and cities thrive, we’ve invited people, jurisdictions, and input from the public and other organizations throughout the county to join us in a collaborative process. And agencies we’re thrilled by the response so far—only days after launching an online survey, • Service Guidelines Task Force – nearly 2,000 people had already shared their ideas. support the task force as it considers Our long-range plan will describe an integrated network of transportation options, improvements to our service guidelines the facilities and technology needed to support those services, and the financial • Technology projects – plan and requirements for building the proposed system. It will meet our region’s long- roll out new technologies to support term growth and changing public transportation needs, and will reflect four key service or communications with themes: customers • Connections – How public transportation will connect people to jobs, • Trolleys and electric buses – education, communities, services, shopping, and more. receive new trolley fleet and test all- electric buses • Accountability – Measurable objectives to make sure public transportation investments add economic, social, and environmental value. • Sustainability and energy – pursue numerous projects to reduce our • Partnerships – How Metro will work with other transit agencies, the energy consumption Washington State Department of Transportation, local cities, and the private sector to develop an integrated transportation system that delivers the greatest • Safety – continuing education for value to the public. operators, a “talking bus” demo, and other programs to promote safety • Economic growth – How public transportation will expand our region’s capacity to move people, goods, and services in order to advance our economy, • Continuous improvement – keep our cities healthy, and maintain our quality of life. continue and expand Lean efforts; make improvements recommended by As we imagine a new future, you’ll have many opportunities to have a say: APTA peer review and the Customer • Learn more about the long-range planning process and sign up to receive Service Panel project updates at http://www.kcmetrovision.org. • PACE – respond to PACE recommendations; hire EEO/diversity • Take the online survey (http://bit.ly/metro-lrp-survey) to let us know how you manager; offer new employee support use public transportation now and your vision for its future. and development tools • Attend community advisory group meetings as a member of the public and • Workforce development – offer submit your written comments. extensive program to prepare Metro’s • Watch for events and open houses advertised on the website and in your future leaders community.

MAR / APR 2015 3 News Briefs

reached at station.comfort@kingcounty. A few King Street Center employees pedestrian accidents dropped by 35.3 gathered to show their love for the percent. A “one-Metro” approach to gov, 206-571-6952, or with paper or Seahawks before the Super Bowl. addressing safety issues involved Safety, online forms. (The hiring process for a Training, Operations, Risk Management, full-time coordinator is proceeding; the n Seahawks supporters set sights Vehicle Maintenance, Marketing, Service position closed March 5.) on 2016 – Through no fault of the Development, and traffic partnerships with faithful Metro “12s,” the A comprehensive draft comfort station jurisdictions. “We attribute these gains to policy, prepared by internal stakeholders fell just one heartrending play short of our operators’ remarkable adherence to becoming Super Bowl champions for the to ensure that comfort station planning being safe, seen, and smart,” said Safety is fully incorporated into route planning second year running. Before the team Superintendent Darryl Russell. He also headed off for near glory, many of their activities, is under review. Operations and gave credit to improvements in Metro’s Service Development staff members are Metro supporters showed their colors at a pedestrian awareness training program mass “12th Man” photo shoot. Metro also identifying opportunities that will improve and to operators and others for embracing operator access to comfort stations at the operated a free fan shuttle service from lessons learned. the Star Lake Park-and-Ride to and from June service change. First-line supervisors the Seahawks Super Bowl send-off area are preparing report cards for Metro’s at International Boulevard S and S 192nd 250+ comfort stations, and will report Street. on each station again at least once per quarter. The availability of all comfort n Women in Trades Fair – This stations listed or mapped in the Route year’s Women in Trades Fair will be held Book will be confirmed before the June on Friday, May 8 at the Seattle Center. edition is printed. Human Resources will coordinate and n First community mobility contract staff Metro’s booth from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It’s what inside that counts (comfort inked – In June and September, Seattle They’re looking for employee volunteers station on S Washington Street near to fill two-hour shifts. If you’re interested Pioneer Square)! will see an increase in services made and willing to share your own experience possible through Metro’s new Community of working in a trades position or a career n Comfort station update – Steady Mobility Contract program, under which with Metro, contact Adrian Soucek progress is being made to improve jurisdictions can contract for additional by Friday, April 24 (adrian.soucek@ Metro’s comfort stations and address transit service. The Seattle City Council kingcounty.gov or 206-477-6012). issues that led to a citation by the in February approved the purchase of Department of Labor and Industry. additional service hours to improve n Safety program yields results Operators now have 24-hour access to reliability on chronically late buses, relieve – Metro’s program of targeted safety YWCA restrooms across from the Othello overcrowding, and give Seattle riders training and awareness (Be Safe, Be Seen Station bus terminal. Several new comfort more frequent and convenient transit and Be Smart) yielded significant year- stations (some with 24-hour access, others options around the clock on weekdays over-year reductions in passenger and available only during business hours) have and weekends. Overall, Seattle service pedestrian accidents in 2014. Passenger been added. And we now have an interim will increase about 10 percent (223,000 accidents fell by 26.2 percent, and transit- comfort station coordinator, who can be annual hours). The agreement runs 4 MAR / APR 2015 through 2017, and can be extended The Alternative Services program helps and Facilities, Systems Development another three years after that. bring service to parts of King County and Operations, and Finance and that lack the infrastructure, density, or Administrative Services. As this issue n F Line a hit with riders – Six land use to support traditional fixed- goes to press, a new Diversity Manager, months after its launch, the newest route bus service, and where alternative a position recommended by PACE, is RapidRide service (between Burien, transportation services may be a better, expected to be hired in March. Tukwila, and SeaTac) was a big hit with more cost-effective match for community n riders. In a rider satisfaction survey, 89 transportation needs than traditional Coming soon to a video monitor percent of participants said they were bus service. Alternative service options near you – Gordon Graham, a former satisfied with the route—nine percent include community shuttles, community officer with the California Highway higher than for the previous route that transportation hubs, and flexible Patrol and risk manager, is joining forces served the same corridor. RapidRide rideshare arrangements. The King County with Metro to reduce risk and promote rated better than other Metro service Council approved $12 million to expand customer service at our bases through on all elements measured, with the alternative services in the 2015-2016 Metro Moments videos. Graham is an highest ratings for “how often the bus biennium. expert on identifying problems that comes” and the “overall quality of the are lying in wait and addressing them transit experience” (82 percent preferred n Staff realignment takes shape – through effective training and clear policy. RapidRide on both). A summary of the full In December, General Manager Kevin “If it is predictable, it is preventable,” report is available at www.kingcounty. Desmond announced plans to realign he says. Look for him and more of his gov/metro/accountability (follow the Metro staff to better manage key 2015 messages on a monitor near you. initiatives as well as ongoing programs Customer Research tab). n and services. Victor Obeso was named ORCA LIFT reduced fare program the new Deputy General Manager of begins – On March 1, qualified riders Planning and Customer Services, and with household incomes below 200 will oversee Service percent of the federal poverty level (about Development, Customer $23,340 for a single person) became Communications and eligible for a reduced fare on Metro buses. Services, Design and Public Health of Seattle and King County Construction, and and eight other social service agencies Paratransit/Rideshare verify applicants’ eligibility and provide Operations. As Manager free ORCA LIFT cards to those who qualify. of Service Development, Card holders are responsible for loading E-purse value or discounted monthly Obeso oversaw the Victor Obeso teams that developed passes on their ORCA LIFT cards. The our groundbreaking strategic plan, our special $1.50 fare was recommended by a service guidelines, RapidRide, major community advisory committee, proposed Riders board the F Line at the Renton by County Executive Dow Constantine, Transit Center. bus service restructures, the Alternative Services program, new performance and unanimously adopted by the King County Council. followed n Alternative services expand in measurement and reporting tools, and suit, adopting a $1.50 fare for qualified county – February saw the launch many other key programs. riders on service only (not ST of the new Snoqualmie Community Complementing Obeso’s buses). This new fare makes transit more Shuttle (Route 628), a commuter service role is Rob Gannon, who affordable to more people and contributes between Snoqualmie, North Bend, and became Deputy General to building a more equitable community. the Issaquah Highlands Park-and-Ride. Manager of Employee And Metro is only the second large transit In June, a new weekday shuttle (Route and Internal Services system in the nation to offer such a fare. 631) will begin serving Burien, connecting in December. Gannon Highline Medical Center with the Burien n oversees employee and Historic murals grace Woodinville Transit Center. labor relations, Human shelters – Historic photomurals have Rob Gannon been added to two bus shelters at the Metro is also working with the cities Resources, workforce Woodinville Park-and-Ride. The photos of Mercer Island and Burien to identify development, the PACE program, and our show scenes from early Woodinville alternatives to regular bus routes in those transit safety, security, risk management, schools, farm activities, logging, communities, and exploring alternative and police programs. community picnics, and bicycling— services in Redmond, Vashon Island, and With these two positions in place, including several never-before-seen south King County as well. Desmond will directly oversee Operations, Rail, Vehicle Maintenance, Power CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 MAR / APR 2015 5 Security Sensitive CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 General Manager • Working jointly with Sound Transit to When your luck runs out test technology that will let riders pay Many of us start our workdays by abandoning a car somewhere. I fares with smartphones. say “abandoning” because we don’t drive it during the 8-10 hours • Developing a texting feature so we spend at work. We might leave it at a park-and-ride and take customers with non-smart phones can transit to work, or leave it on the street at home, or somewhere send a text to a bus stop number and else. Usually, nothing happens to the car while we’re away. But receive real-time arrival information. occasionally our luck runs out. • Using SharePoint to house Design and Most of us have experienced at least one of the car-related surprises listed below. (If Construction’s project management you haven’t, I hope your luck holds – but you should probably consider yourself to manuals and to manage and share large be on thin ice.) Preventive action never hurts, so each problem is followed by some project files, both internally and with ideas that might help prevent it, rescue yourself if it does happen, and/or reduce consultants and others outside Metro. your costs and grief. • Achieving more-efficient scheduling, communications, and customer services • Flat tire – A can of Fix-A-Flat or similar compressed gas tire sealer will re-inflate in the Access call center through Metro a soft tire and add a sealant to prevent the rapid loss of tire pressure so you can contractor First Transit’s Customer First nurse the car to a service station or tire shop for repair. (Cost: $10 or less) initiative. • Dead battery – A small jump-starter battery that easily connects to your dead • Converting some of our Access vans battery will get you going again. Remember to have an auto shop check the old from gasoline to propane fuel. battery to figure out why it went dead. Hardware, auto supply, and other stores • Using a new PACE-driven hiring process sell jump starters. (Cost: About $50) to fill an unprecedented seven base chief vacancies in one recruitment effort. • Break-in – Keep gloves, painter’s tape, and heavy duty garbage bags in the • Pursuing Lean process improvement trunk. Wear the gloves to remove broken glass (especially on the seats). Use the efforts throughout our agency. garbage bags to sit on (to cover glass pieces on the seat or a rain-soaked seat), or • Expanding our employee Green Team, tape one over a broken window. Don’t forget to make a police report. (Cost: $20 which has been working at South or less) Base to implement our Sustainability • You start your car and it’s LOUD – Really bad luck here. Your catalytic Plan with no- and low-cost actions, to converter (an emission control component) may have been stolen. These parts include representatives from all Metro contain precious metals, so thieves cut or unbolt them from under cars and sell bases. them to scrap metal dealers. Imported and taller vehicles like SUVs are prime These efforts complement our more-visible targets. You may be able to drive home or to a repair shop, unless there’s initiatives, including our first long-range damage to the wiring or fuel line. Consider having a muffler shop or repair shop transit planning effort since the 1990s; weld some scrap metal to block access to the connection point—bad guys like our new ORCA LIFT reduced fare program things easy, so make it hard to take yours. Report the theft to police. (Cost: for qualified low-income riders (we’re the Under $100, a small price compared to $1,200-$1,500 for a replacement catalytic second large transit agency in the USA to converter) offer such a program); our push for greater • Dude, where’s my car? If you’re sure you parked it there and no one you equity in the workplace through PACE; the know borrowed it, your car was probably stolen. Call the police, then call new Trip Planner app, which someone to come pick you up. (Cost: A 1978 Datsun B210 runs about $500 on can plan trips on many transportation Craigslist, and no one would ever steal it!) modes AND provide real-time predictions for bus arrivals; and our upcoming Finally, consider taking out an auto club membership. The towing/emergency in-service stress testing of two all-electric benefits will save you money if any of these things happen to you. Most buses. memberships are entirely portable, covering you in whatever car you’re in, including a carpool! (Cost: Under $80 per year) Together, these and other innovations, both small and large, are moving us toward the Stay secure…and may returning to your car always be uneventful. future we want to build. What will you add — Mark L. Norton, Manager to the mix? Transit Security and Emergency Management —Kevin Desmond, General Manager Send comments and ideas on Metro security, emergency management, and homeland security to [email protected].

6 MAR / APR 2015 PERFORMANCE CORNER Ridership hits all-time high We provided nearly 121 million rides in 2014, setting a new record that beats Annual Metro bus boardings our 2013 total by two percent and our (in millions) 2004 total by a whopping 25 percent. 140 Ridership continued to grow late in the 120 Million year, even after we made service cuts in September and gas prices experienced a sharp decline. 100

Our growth over the past decade is 80 especially remarkable given several things that normally would reduce 60 ridership growth: the base transit fare increased 80 percent, the recession 40 greatly affected ridership in 2009 and 2010, the downtown Seattle Ride Free 20 Area ended, and Sound Transit’s Link 0 light rail began serving one of our major 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 bus corridors.

In fact, annual ridership on all services the six RapidRide lines accounting for Contract program, with funding that we operate—including Sound about one-sixth of Metro’s total bus from Seattle voter-approved Transit buses and light rail—has ridership. On weekdays, RapidRide routes Proposition 1). And we’ve already increased nearly 40 percent since 2004, provide 44 percent more rides than the seen ridership growth in 2015. now totaling over 140 million. When services they replaced. We’ve provided two percent more you add in Sounder rail service, our rides per day than in January and We look forward to another record vanpools, our Accessible Services, the February of last year. , and Sound year for ridership in 2015 as we add Transit buses operated by our transit new service in Seattle later in the year partners, total transit ridership in King (through Metro’s Community Mobility County is well over 150 million. Employment growth was a major driver of ridership in 2014. Local jobs increased 3.5 percent, with many new workers choosing to commute by Metro. Our investment in RapidRide continues to drive large gains in ridership, with The new Excelsior hybrids are estimated to save over 200,000 In Transit gallons of diesel and 2,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year Current and past issues of In Transit are Produced by Transportation Office of compared to the old Orion hybrids they available at www.kingcounty.gov/InTransit. Communications replace. That’s equivalent to removing Editor: Anna Clemenger If you have any questions, comments or story Transit Coordination: Bob Simpson another 437 passenger vehicles ideas, send them to In Transit, KSC-TR-0824, or Staff Photographer: Ned Ahrens from the road each year! contact Anna Clemenger: 206-477-3839 or Graphic Design: Jackie Phillips [email protected].

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MAR / APR 2015 7 n Fortson excels in APTA challenge the often stressful events of a typical day —Access Call Center reservationist in transit operations. His willingness to Whitney Fortson competed before provide leadership and assist others in the a live audience in the American Public Control Center, especially during periods Transportation Association’s Call Center of increased workload, and to share his Kudos! Challenge in Palm Beach, Florida, on Feb. knowledge and skills when training new 24. She nearly won it all in a tight finish coordinators, are much appreciated. against finalists from six other U.S. transit n Hodge’s quick thinking helps systems. Participants were challenged emergency crew—On Jan. 16, with real-life call center scenarios and while driving a Route 36 bus, Atlantic judged on their ability to resolve each Base operator Saleem Hodge helped scenario in a friendly and professional emergency response personnel manner. To compete in the finals, communicate with a passenger in distress Fortson survived preliminary rounds (via who only spoke telephone interviews) against more than Vietnamese. 70 other customer service representatives. Using the The Call Center Challenge recognizes the Google Translate outstanding efforts of transit call center app on his Woodruff holds her Ambassador STAR personnel. This was the first time Metro’s smartphone, Award, flanked by Rhonda Berry, chief of Access call center has participated in the Hodge helped King County Operations, and Chief Robin challenge. Fenton, King County Sheriff’s Office. the aid providers n Goodson named Supervisor understand what n Woodruff honored for going the of Shake-up—Jack Goodson of the was going on extra mile—After reporting in at their Transit Communications Center has been and give the bases, Metro drivers have only minutes named Spring 2014 First-line Supervisor Hodge used a woman the care until they start their routes. This fast- of the Shake-up. With 16 years as a translation app on his she needed. moving environment poses challenges for first-line supervisor, Goodson is qualified smartphone to help a passenger in distress. Annual Giving Drive ambassadors, whose in all areas goal is to give every employee a chance to of first-line n McMahon helps travel-weary participate. Last fall, Cheryl Woodruff, supervision customers—Operator Kathryn a South Base Operations administrative and currently McMahon (Atlantic Base) received a support specialist, found creative ways to works as heartfelt commendation from a couple reach her base’s 500+ employees during a service who rode her Route 14 bus after an out- the campaign. Her strategies included coordinator of-town trip. “We came off the light rail special events, vibrant information in the Control late at night and had to catch the (Route) displays, inviting representatives from Center. Well 14 to get home,” the travelers wrote. “We nonprofits to visit the base, and talking respected are in our 70s. When she got to our one-on-one with as many people as Goodson in the Transit by his peers stop, she asked, ‘Just getting in from the possible. Her enthusiasm paid off—one- Control Center. and known airport?’ Then she jumped out of the bus third of all South Base contributors were for exemplary customer service, he stays and helped us with our luggage. When new to the program this year. Nominated calm and helps others do the same, we arrived near our home, she helped by her giving-program peers, Woodruff even in serious situations. His relaxed, us off with our bags and said, ‘Welcome was named an Ambassador STAR in the positive, and friendly presence, along with home!’” innovation category. a keen sense of humor, help to mitigate n Johnson receives Hero Award— Transit operators of the month On Nov. 16, when Ryerson Base Operator Chris Johnson was pulling his Route February 2015 March 2015 24 bus into the S Jackson Street island Atlantic Base: Lilly Strouts Atlantic Base: Saleem Hodge stop, he saw a man climbing over the Bellevue Base: John Urbaniak Bellevue Base: Vicki Leslie wall, clearly intending to jump onto the Central Base: Abdulahi Ali Central Base: Anthony Hopkins train tracks below. Asked if he was all Eastside Base: Stepan Denisiuk East Base: Yuriy Terekhovsky right, the man said he was trying to kill North Base: Erica Julius-Rizvi North Base: Walytert Johnson himself. Johnson immediately secured Ryerson Base: Consuelo Hora Ryerson Base: Osman Said his bus, ran to grab the man’s coat, and South Base: Richard Roper South Base: Ron Anderson asked passersby to call 911. The man

8 MAR / APR 2015 Service award achievements SERVICE The following employees have completed—or will AWARDS complete—30 years of service in the first half of 2015: First quarter (Jan.–March) Customer Communications and Services: Sharron Shinbo; Design and Construction: Michael Paulson; Paratransit/Rideshare Operations: Jerry Hunnicutt; Power Distribution: Craig Hall; Rail: Kevin Winter; Service Development: Joyce McEwen; Transit Operations: Ruth Asare, Linda Knebel, Randy Lewis, Everett Minard, Glen Rikansrud, Robert Teagardin, Michael Timmons, DeeAnn Wakenight; Vehicle Maintenance: Efren Evangelista, Aleksander Lipinski, Lisa McCurdy, Mark Stewart, Lucy Thomas, Richard Weir. Johnson, left, receives his award from Desmond. Second quarter (April–June) Design and Construction: Sally Turner; Transit Operations: Prakash Chand, tried to break away several times before Rhodney Duell, Howard Leung, Mohan Mohnani, William Porter, John Reardon, police arrived, but Johnson held on and Kevin Reardon, Ernest Wilson; Vehicle Maintenance: Glen Morton. kept talking to him, trying to reason Recently overlooked with him. Several weeks later, while Paratransit/Rideshare Operations: Jan Dahl (35 years, 3rd Quarter 2014); Johnson was waiting at the same stop to Laird Chambers (35 years, 4th Quarter 2014) relieve another operator, the same man recognized and approached him, hugging Check our May-June issue for a list of those reaching 35- and 40-year milestones and thanking Johnson for saving his life. during the second quarter of 2015. On Jan. 22, Johnson was honored by General Manager Kevin Desmond with 2015-2016 workers’ compensation Merid (R), Tony Mitchell (C), Mulugeta a Metro Certificate of Appreciation for program—a savings of $275,000 per Negash (R), Ronda Ploock (B), Victor “going beyond the call of duty by taking month for 24 months. Rodriguez (E), Abdirizak Sebrie (C), action to save a life.” Byron Sherry (S), Gayle Varrecchia (C) n Kudos to our recent n Risk management pays off—Not operator graduates—It's no small FTOs starting Feb. 14, 2015: Abdihakim long ago, Metro was paying a big price— accomplishment to graduate from Metro's Abdi (A), Ivan Alexander (S), Benjamin literally—for work-related accidents and exacting operator training programs Apo (S), Michael Bailey (A), Wayne other risk-related situations. Enter Transit and be hired as a part-time operator Beck (S), Wandewosen Bekele (A), Risk Program Manager Marc Anderson. (PTO) or advance to become a full-time Daniel Beyene (R), Michael Dady (A), Working with staff members from Safety, operator (FTO). Many do not make it that Richard Dreistadt (B), Karen Francisco Operations, Human Resources, and other far. In Transit congratulates the following (A), David Fryett (R), Matthew sections, Anderson has helped us achieve operators and wishes each of them a Gemmill (A), Mark George (S), Jagpal some notable milestones in the past few long, safe, and fulfilling career. (Base Gill (R), Ahmed Ibrahim (S), Lance years. Here are some examples: assignments are listed as: A–Atlantic; Jennings (A), Ahmed Mumin (S), • For the first time ever, Metro placed B–Bellevue; C–Central; E–East; N–North; Deborah Reiser (S), Samuel Robi (S), 100 percent of our injured employees R–Ryerson; S–South) Donald Sherman (A), Rick Silver (B), into transitional duty assignments Andrew Thwing (A), David Walsh (S), PTOs starting Dec. 30, 2014: Khadar in consecutive months. This is a key Timothy Wernli (B) Abdullahi (C), Babak Mirzia element of a successful workers’ Amirabadi (E), Ezra Basom (R), PTOs starting March 2, 2015: Craig compensation program. Rachel Bellairs (E), Jacqueline Dillard Berry (E), Pamela Buchanan (R), • Our liability claims count in 2014 was (N), Kenneth Donaldson (E), Linda Cynthia Carmichael (B), Felix Chandra eight percent lower than in 2013, and Hansen (B), Thomas Smart (E), Quiana (S), Jay Craig (R), Shawn DeOrnellis 6.8 percent lower than the average for Thomas (C), Derek Weaver (N), Girma (C), Jan Enstad (N), Craig Hiebert (E), 2009-2013. Workineh (R) Zekaria Hilowle (S), Ahmed Jama (R), • Potential large-dollar events (bus- Devon Jarrett-Nomides (N), George pedestrian accidents and passenger PTOs starting Feb. 2, 2015: Edward Kalbfleisch (N), Amity Ludders (E), falls) fell by 35 percent in 2014 and 25 Anderton (B), Ted Braun (C), Peter Long Luu (E), Brian Mihara (N), percent in 2013. Burton (S), Kevin Clemo (S), Farhan Abdelaziz Osman (C), Antwine • An actuarial study resulted in a Egal (N), Nosh Hedgeman (S), Eric Williams (B) $6.6 million cost reduction for the Jones (R), Muni Kumar (B), Yared MAR / APR 2015 9 PHOTO: C+C Metro unleashes new trip planner app Metro’s new trip planner app is off to a running start, thanks in part to a promotional campaign featuring Seattle’s newest bus riding celebrity—“Eclipse,” the bus riding dog. Word about Eclipse got out when local TV station KOMO featured a story about her solo rides on the RapidRide D Line. She would board and then get off at a specific stop to play at her favorite dog park. The story and video took off on social media, capturing the hearts of people around the world. Our Marketing and Service Information group quickly capitalized on the buzz, filming a video starring Eclipse the very next weekend to promote Metro’s new Puget Sound Trip Planner With an ORCA card clipped to her collar, Eclipse (left) films app. The 1 minute, 21 second spot features Eclipse traveling to a scene at downtown Seattle’s Central Library, one of many different locales around Seattle, using an ORCA card on her collar. locations used in the video promoting Metro’s new mobile app. The closing message points people to the new Trip Planner app at the Google and Apple app stores. The soundtrack features a The Puget Sound Trip Planner app features mobile-friendly trip parody of Snoop Dogg’s song “Who Am I (What’s My Name?)” planning (with maps) for all transit agencies in the region, along with special lyrics about Eclipse, getting around with Metro, and with a host of new features like real-time arrivals, bus schedules, the new Trip Planner. and alerts. With more than 14,000 views, the spot is giving a promotional You can watch our video with Eclipse at http://bit.ly/eclipse-trip boost to the broader Trip Planner advertising campaign now and learn more about the new mobile Trip Planner app at http:// appearing on bus exterior ads. metro.kingcounty.gov/trip-planner/mobile-apps/.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 News Briefs images from the 1890-1912 era. Metro partnered with the n Whetting VM’s Lean appetite – Metro prides itself on Woodinville Heritage Society, 4Culture, and Photo Center NW on being innovative and focusing on continuous improvement. the project. It was the second of its kind in the area (the first was Vehicle Maintenance chiefs were already onboard, and “fixing with the Bothell Historical Museum in fall 2014). A third project things” was in their DNA, but many realized they lacked a is in the works with the City of Kenmore. A Woodinville Weekly commonly understood approach to achieving those desired story on the project is available online at http://bit.ly/woodinville- ends. Along came a supervisor development course steeped in shelter-murals. Lean philosophy and focused on entitlement, leading teams, and creating continuous improvement. Developed for front-line supervisors in Jail Health Services, the course was adapted to Vehicle Maintenance. Twelve chiefs completed it, leaving with a set of practical tools and a mental model, or process, for testing improvement ideas. During the course, they selected an actual work process and, with their own worksite teams, systematically set about to standardize it, identify customer requirements, and measure and ultimately improve the process. In the spirit of Lean, the “graduating” VM chiefs gave valuable feedback on course scheduling and content and how to condense it to seven sessions, much to the benefit of the VM chiefs who took the course in February. Four sisters in the Donnergaard family pose with their bicycles before an excursion around 1900. A younger sister, shown at lower left, is staying behind. This and other historic photos can now be seen on Woodinville Park-and-Ride bus shelters.

10 MAR / APR 2015 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 PACE committee recommendations into specific objectives and strategies to meet the challenges those groups identified, and spells out the intended outcomes. The PACE strategic plan complements Metro’s Strategic Plan for Public Transportation and King County’s and the Department of Transportation’s focus on equity and social justice. Substantial benefits are being realized through the PACE initiative. Together, our labor leadership, management, and employees have made significant changes to Transit Operations Procedure #15, which governs our response to customer comments; and, in keeping with plan recommendations, completed the hiring process for a transit EEO/ diversity manager. Also, Metro used PACE goals and principles to create a unique approach to recruiting new transit chiefs. These are important steps on what is now a much clearer path to realizing the PACE vision.

True equity and inclusion will not come easily, in society or in our workplace. So that Metro employees participate in the every member of the Metro workforce can contribute fully to our success, the PACE March 5 PACE workshop. Strategic Plan for Comprehensive Equity is intended to guide us in a purposeful effort to build and sustain an inclusive workplace. We’re off to a good start. For more information about the Plan, contact Anita Whitfield at 206-477-2669 or find it online at http://metro. kingcounty.gov/PACE.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12 Jeremy Vining, transit engineer IV – January 28 On the move Operations Joe Downing, occupational education and training program Transit Safety administrator – January 20 Andrew Goudreau to transit safety officer (South Base) from transit safety training officer Paratransit/Rideshare Operations James Wells to transit safety officer (Atlantic Base) from transit Elisa Elliott, transportation planner II (rehire, Accessible Services) – coordinator (Operations/Transit Control Center) February 13 Vehicle Maintenance Power and Facilities Frank Wood to acting lead mechanic (Atlantic Base) from mechanic Nicholas Berry, utility line worker helper (Power Distribution) – (Atlantic Base) February 9 Jeff Gansz, utility line worker (Power Distribution) – February 2 ■■ New Hires Casey Ledbetter, utility line worker (Power Distribution) – January 26 Customer Communications and Services Antonio Silva, transit utility laborer (Facilities Maintenance) – Barry Allar, customer information specialist (Customer Information) January 5 – February 23 Brian Thoma, utility line worker helper (Power Distribution) – Chester Chastek, customer information specialist (Customer January 26 Information) – February 9 Michele Thurmond, transit utility laborer (rehire, Facilities Collette Fidecaro, transit administrative support specialist II (ORCA Maintenance) – December 23 LIFT) – January 3 Rail Kristen Landen, customer information specialist (Customer Michael Dorsey, rail SCADA systems specialist (Link) – February 23 Information) – February 23 Samuel Wesolowski, electro mechanic (Link) – February 23 Mike Lopach, customer information specialist (Customer Service Development Information) – February 23 Todd Cannon, business analyst (Transit Route Facilities) – February 5 Joanne Merrick, pass sales representative (Customer Services) – Graydon Newman, transportation planner II (TLT, Strategic February 23 Planning and Analysis) – February 11 Kendall Phillips, pass sales representative (TLT, Customer Services) Dave VanderZee, transportation planner III (Service Planning) – – February 23 March 30 Linda Poltz, customer information specialist (rehire, Customer Vehicle Maintenance Information) – February 9 Douglas McCartney, transit maintenance analyst (VM Training) – Tammy Sigurdson, transit administrative support specialist II January 26 (rehire, ORCA LIFT) – January 26 Kimberly Williams, pass sales representative (TLT, Customer ■■ In our thoughts: Services) – February 23 Isaac Daniels (retired), South VM superintendent, passed away Design and Construction March 8 Jennifer Lee, real property agent III – February 17

MAR / APR 2015 11 ON THE MOVE Retirements, promotions/job changes, new hires, and remembrances

■■ Retirements Operations John Bouie to acting base chief (Ryerson Base) from first-line Customer Communications and Services supervisor/dispatcher (South Base) Rosemary Hernandez, transit information specialist (Customer Kristy Hampton to human resource associate (Human Information) – December 1; 28+ years Resources Division) from administrative specialist (Central Jan O’Hara, marketing and sales specialist (Information Services) – Base) February 18; 21 years Debra Reeve to administrative specialist (TLT, Central Base) Design and Construction from Vehicle Maintenance Roberta Kelley, administrative specialist II – January 23; 23 years Power and Facilities Operations Jordan Kuwik to line material worker I (Power Distribution) Jim Farris, acting operations superintendent (base chief/Ryerson from utility line worker helper Base) – April 1; 30+ years Chris Stockman to utility line worker helper (Power Peggy Renfrow, base chief (Ryerson Base) – March 1; 37+ years Distribution) from utility laborer (Facilities Maintenance) Power and Facilities Rail Jesus Barajas, transit custodian II (Tunnel Facilities) – February Linda Averill to streetcar operator (SLUS) from transit operator 16; 24 years (Transit Operations) Larry Watts, utility line worker – January 31; 19 years Francisco Brito to career service rail laborer (Rail Facilities Service Development Maintenance) Greg Lipton, project/program manager (Strategic Planning & Al DeSart to rail supervisor -trainee from rail operator (Link) Analysis) – February 27; 18+ years Ted Edmondson to rail supervisor -trainee from streetcar Joyce McEwen, transportation planner III (Transit Route Facilities) operator (SLUS) – February 28; 30 years Lanel Erickson to rail service worker (Link) from rail station custodian Vehicle Maintenance Janis Fisher to streetcar operator (SLUS) from transit operator John Bellinger, mechanic (Component Supply Center) – March 27; (Transit Operations) 30+ years Asia Gartrell to streetcar operations and maintenance Yukio Inouye, sheet metal worker (Component Supply) – February supervisor (SLUS) from rail operator (Link) 27; 24+ years Daniel Mathews to rail supervisor -trainee from rail operator George Kelnar, mechanic (Bellevue Base) decided not to retire (Link) February 1 as published here in the Jan/Feb 2015 issue Jeffery Wong to electro mechanic (Link) from rail electro Jim King, chief (Component Supply Center) - March 27; 39+ mechanic years Don Nakashima, mechanic (North Base) - July 1; 24+ years Service Development George Schwartz, sheet metal worker (Atlantic Base) – May 1; Chad Armstrong to acting transportation planner III (Strategic 22+ years Planning and Analysis) from transportation planner II (Accessible Services) ■■ Promotions and Job Changes Mike Beck to acting service planning supervisor from contract Customer Communications and Services services administrator Collette Fidecaro to transit administrative support specialist II Ruth Kinchen to acting project/program manager III (Stop (Customer Services) from Transit Safety Based Scheduling Project) from transportation planner III Mark Konecny to project/program manager III (ORCA LIFT) from (Scheduling/Strategic Planning and Analysis) customer service coordinator-lead (Customer Services) Marty Minkoff to acting manager of service development from Jackie Phillips to communications specialist III from KCDOT service planning supervisor Communications Chris O'Claire to Manager of Strategy, Policy and Performance Gail Tanaka to transit administrative support specialist II (TLT, from Supervisor of Strategic Planning and Analysis ORCA LIFT) from Rideshare Operations Daniel Rowe to transportation planner III (career service, Market Development) from TLT status General Manager’s Office Rachel VerBoort to acting transportation planner III (Strategic Nitin Chadha to financial services administrator (Finance Section) Planning and Analysis) from transportation planner II from budget and finance officer IV Rob Gannon to deputy general manager of employee and internal Transit Human Resources services from deputy general manager Kathy DeJesus to senior human resources analyst (Disability Victor Obeso to deputy general manager of planning and Services Coordinator) from Department of Natural Resources customer services from manager (Service Development) and Parks CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

12 MAR / APR 2015