September October In Transit 2015 A NEWSLETTER FOR KING2 COUNTY01 METRO4 TRANSIT EMPLOYEES FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER’S DESK HR ramps up hiring What upsizing looks like

This is the issue in which we honor our Wall of Fame nominees, a stellar slate of employees who have made outstanding contributions to Metro’s efforts and initiatives over the past year. It gives me great pleasure to thank all of the nominees for their excellent work and draw your attention to our Wall of Fame listing on pages 4-5.

It’s no coincidence that our Transit Human Members of our hardworking HR team take a moment to celebrate their success so far Resources group figures prominently this year. From left to right are: front row—Elisha Mackey, Jamie Robinson, Jen Montoya, in both this year’s Wall of Fame (in Patricia Stinehour, Shanette Landes. Back row—Edye Edwards, Jose Dominguez, Mara the person of Acting Service Delivery Sims, Yolanda Madry, Ralph Cady. Not pictured: Ivette Martinez-Morales. Manager Susan Eddy) and in our lead story in this issue of In Transit. The fact Demand is growing fast for the services of continues without break, and Metro is also is that this group has managed to take Transit Human Resources. The group has had recruiting mechanics, equipment service its normally superb performance up to shift into a hiring overdrive to support workers, and many other classifications another notch as it moves to fill positions current and planned service expansions. needed to support our services. in support of all the new services we’re After years of running lean on staffing levels, Already this year (through August) we’ve being called upon to deliver. we now have an unprecedented 75 different hired 322 transit operators and more than job classifications in the hiring mix. After years of hiring freezes, staff 300 people for other positions, which reductions, and calling upon our This also means many new faces in HR meant processing over 1,990 transit employees to do more with less, itself as they grow to handle the hiring operator applications and more than 6,325 we’re suddenly asking HR to fill an load. Just since March, they’ve added nine applications for other Transit positions. unprecedented number of positions people—with a few more coming soon. We’ve also promoted 58 employees into across a wide range of job classifications new positions. The greatest demand for new hires is and staff/management levels. We need coming from Transit Operations and Vehicle Metro cannot, and will not, compromise this hiring to be done both efficiently Maintenance. Earlier this year, Transit HR on the quality of the people we hire. We and quickly as we work to deliver completed the hiring process for seven new can’t afford to. It’s a matter of public safety promised new services to the public. transit chiefs in Operations. The demand for and security, good stewardship of public I’m sure this pressure is not altogether both part-time and full-time transit operators funds, and institutional pride. comfortable for our colleagues in HR, but they have risen—and continue to CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 rise—to the challenge. IN THIS ISSUE 2 COMFORT STATIONS 6 KUDOS 3 PERFORMANCE CORNER 8 SECURITY SENSITIVE CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 4 STRATEGY & PERFORMANCE GROUP 9 NEWS BRIEFS 5 WALL OF FAME 11 SAFETY NOTES In April, we

Comfort Station welcomed our CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 permanent Program makes coordinator, General Manager headway Ruthann Already during this ramp-up we’ve Dunn. Among found ourselves at times short of her many When most of us decide what projects operators, mechanics, and coaches. qualifications to tackle at work, we don’t have to take We simply could not put out the is the fact that the availability (or not) of a restroom buses and operate the level of service she previously into consideration. It’s a different story our ridership demanded. Unable to worked for for our bus operators. Many of them— increase service where and when it Metro as a especially full-time drivers—tell us they was needed, we saw our on-time Ruthann Dunn part-time think about the locations of comfort performance lag. We had to cancel operator, so stations when they pick their work. some trips, and buses became even she has a first-hand undestanding of the more crowded—all things that hurt These are our front line employees. We importance of her new role. “I view my our customers, the people we’re call upon them to navigate large vehicles position as one that not only administers trying to serve. in congested traffic, while also watching the program, but ensures that the needs out for distracted drivers and pedestrians of our operators are met,” she said. As our financial circumstances and interacting with customers. They “Drivers know what they need on the improve, we’re addressing these deal with challenges most of us never road, and I encourage them to share shortfalls by working furiously to get encounter at work. Finding a usable that information with me. My goal is to quality people onboard, in numbers comfort station when they need one deliver whenever possible.” that will do the job for us. And all the should not be among those challenges. while, HR is also keeping its focus on Operators can now fill out and submit succession planning—strategizing Comfort Station Reports online. All Metro has had a Comfort Station for how to replace the many valued operator complaints, suggestions, and Program since the 1970s, but at times people at Metro who are leaving us communications get a response, usually our focus has wavered. As we faced for well-deserved retirements. massive service cuts last fall, we were within 24 hours. And Dunn is now being cited by the state Labor and Industries included early in the process of planning All this hiring is a good place to be, Department for falling short in several for new route terminals. Her input has especially considering where we were areas related to providing bathroom enabled service planners to make system only a year ago. But it puts a lot of facilities to our drivers. Our managers changes that improve operator access to demand on our HR staff. It’s a good immediately began taking steps to comfort stations. thing we have such an exceptional address the deficiencies. One of these group of dedicated employees doing “As an agency, Metro is committed to was to create the new full-time position that work. the Comfort Station Program. While we of Comfort Station Coordinator. recognize we have a long way to go, we —Kevin Desmond, General Manager The first person to fill this role—on an look forward to the day when our drivers interim basis—was Michael Baruso. no longer have to be concerned about While Metro searched for a permanent getting access to a restroom.” coordinator, Baruso worked to add comfort stations at terminals that didn’t Plain or fancy (these have them. In one case, he established examples are in Queen a valuable relationship with the YWCA Anne and at the Overlake near Othello Station for Route 36 Transit Center), the most drivers. Since the beginning of the year, important thing about a Metro has added over 45 new comfort comfort station is to have stations—more than 25 of them at route one available when you terminals that previously lacked stations. need it.

2 SEP / OCT 2015 PERFORMANCE CORNER RapidRide fare enforcement

Part of what makes RapidRide services so Fare evasion rates on RapidRide lines efficient is that RapidRide customers can and former Metro routes pay their fares before boarding via the 2010* off-board ORCA readers at high-ridership 4.0% RapidRide stations. Passengers who have 2014 already tapped their ORCA cards at these 3.5% readers can board through any of three 3.0% doors without needing to tap again. Those who have valid paper transfers can 2.5% also board through any door. 2.0% Teams of fare enforcement officers monitor RapidRide buses, randomly 1.5% rotating through the lines and stations. The officers ask passengers to show 1.0% their proof of payment. If the passenger 0.5% used an ORCA card, the officers use a portable ORCA reader to verify 0.0% payment. If the passenger used a paper A Line B Line C Line D Line E Line F Line transfer, the transfer is their proof of payment. Passengers riding with no *Metro routes that were later replaced by RapidRide lines proof of payment are subject to citation and fine. In 2014, fare enforcement To examine the effectiveness of respondents said they had officers contacted 470,000 passengers, fare inspection on fare evasion, we been asked to provide proof of which represent about 3 percent of all compared these statistics with the payment (C Line, 83 percent; RapidRide boardings that year. Of those results of a 2010 study of fare evasion D Line, 83 percent; E Line, 81 contacted, just over 2 percent had not on RapidRide-precursor routes and percent). A large majority felt fare paid a fare. found that fare enforcement has inspection made no difference in reduced fare evasion by roughly half on their customer experience (60, most of those routes (see graph). 57, and 53 percent, respectively) and significantly more riders felt RapidRide customer surveys show that it made their experience better In Transit riders are generally satisfied with the than worse (24 vs. 16 percent, level of fare inspection on RapidRide Current and past issues of In Transit are 26 vs. 17 percent, and 32 vs. 16 buses. If anything, they say they would available at www.kingcounty.gov/InTransit. percent — a two-to-one ratio — prefer more inspections. respectively). If you have any questions, comments or story Most RapidRide A and B Line riders ideas, send them to In Transit, KSC-TR-0824, A recent survey of F Line riders surveyed in 2013 and 2014 said they’d or contact Anna Clemenger: 206-477-3839 found that roughly two-thirds been asked to provide proof of payment or [email protected]. had been asked to provide (A Line, 84 percent; B Line, 79 percent). proof of payment by a fare A large majority of riders on both lines Produced by Transportation Office of enforcement officer. Regarding felt the level of fare inspections was Communications the courtesy and respect shown appropriate (A Line, 59 percent; B Line, Editor: Anna Clemenger by fare enforcement officers, Transit Coordination: Bob Simpson 69 percent). Significantly more riders felt F Line passengers said they Staff Photographer: Ned Ahrens inspections should be more frequent than were 68 percent satisfied, 22 Graphic Design: La Neu less frequent (A Line, 24 percent vs. 17 percent neutral, and 10 percent percent; B Line, 22 percent vs. 9 percent). dissatisfied. We surveyed RapidRide C, D, and E 15030/dot/comm/ac/jp Line riders in 2014 and 2015. Most

SEP / OCT 2015 3 Introducing the Strategy and NOMINEES Performance work group Individuals Ashley Arai (Service Planning) Metro has created a new Strategy and Performance work group as part of our staff realignment (described in the March/April 2015 issue of In Transit ). The Carol Cooper (Market Development) group, managed by Chris O’Claire, is organized into teams with the following Dale Cummings (Route Facilities) responsibilities: Phil DeVault (Operations) • Strategic planning – Long-range and strategic planning, including Metro’s Long Susan Eddy (Human Resources) ** Range Plan, Strategic Plan, and Service Guidelines; represent Metro on major multi- Pete Gaiser (Metro Transit Police) agency projects that will affect our agency. Cecilia Hawley (Strategy and Performance) • Research and analysis – Prepare annual reviews, updates, analyses, and reports; Kelly Lindsey (Customer Communications develop and carry out customer research. and Services) • Reporting and performance measurement – Performance reporting and Tim McAuliffe (Rail) develop and implement a performance management system Lyle McFarland (Design and Construction) • Strategic initiatives – Manage strategic initiatives such as the transit fare and sustainability programs, Equity and Social Justice, and legislative review. Terry White (Customer Communications and Services) ** The group will collect, prepare, analyze and use ORCA and other on-board data; carry Randy Winders (Vehicle Maintenance) out and support major mid- to long-range planning efforts; calculate ridership; measure on-time performance; submit a variety of state- and federally-mandated reports; Teams implement Metro’s sustainability plan; manage fare policy programs—and more. Base Chief Recruitment for Projects over the coming year will include: Operations team Bill Burdick, Carrie Brezonick, Levi • Completing Metro’s newest long-range plan Christopher, Susan Eddy, Ken Johnston, • Turning recommendations from the Service Guidelines Task Force into policy updates Suzanne Keyport, Sandy Sander to Metro’s strategic plan and service guidelines ORCA LIFT team ** • Coordinating Metro’s customer service, technology, and policies related to transit fares Information Technology: David Cheeney, • Issuing the annual Service Guidelines Report Tamara Davis, Barbara DeLauter, Ben Lesh, • Conducting a rider/non-rider study Cindy Wang, Jim Wingren; Metro/King County: Sarah Driggs, Collette • Implementing transit-related elements of the updated King County Strategic Climate Fidecaro, Fotini Georgiadou, Matt Hansen, Action Plan Kathy Kelly, Mark Konecny, Ref Lindmark, • Coordinating additional opportunities to address equity and social justice in Carol Merrill, Chuck Sawyer, Gail Tanaka, planning efforts Mark Thie, Bob Virkelyst; : Brian Brooke; Public Health: “I and my team are very excited to work with the other sections in Transit to develop Penny Lara, Daphne Pie strategies for, and measure progress towards achieving, our mutual transit-related goals,” O’Claire said. Destruction after Digitization (DAD) team Roger Bruckshen, Julie Burrell, Travis Butcher, Laird Chambers, Jim Greenwald, William McCoy, Emily Nutsch, Cindy Parsons, Gail Tanaka Electrical Safety Program for Vehicle Maintenance team Leah Alcyon, Kim Martin North Base Maintenance/Operations Building HVAC Replacement Project team Brian Cady, Jim Carlson, Charles Hopper, Phil Johnson, Lyle McFarland, Ron Moattar, Lisa Parriott, Jerry Rutledge, Jack Schultz, Jim Smyth, Gillian Zacharias

Seated, L to R: Lisa Shafer, Jana Demas, Chris O’Claire, Briana Lovell, Brandt Scanlan. ** Individual and team inductees to Standing: Carrie Elwell, Raj Cheriel, Stephen Hunt, Alena Marshak, Chad Armstrong, WSDOT Wall of Fame Andrew Brick, Autumn Salamack, Rachel VerBoort, Lisa Durst, Graydon Newman, Cecilia Hawley. Not pictured: Katie Chalmers, Rob Coughlin, Michelle Major, Lori Mimms, Kari Nathan, Chuck Sawyer. 4 SEP / OCT 2015 Metro’s 2015 Wall of Fame

etro’s Wall of Fame recognizes employees who have INDIVIDUAL WINNERS Mdemonstrated exemplary work on behalf of internal and/or external customers. In Transit congratulates this year’s nominees (listed Susan Eddy (Transit at left) on joining the Metro Transit Wall of Fame family. From this Human Resources) group, management chose two individuals and one team to be inducted Acting HR Service Delivery into the Washington State Department of Transportation’s Wall of Fame. Manager Susan Eddy has been in charge of multiple TEAM WINNER recruitments this year, ORCA LIFT team including four critical manager positions in Transit Operations. When the ORCA LIFT team was charged with inventing an income-based She also began a new and fare medium, many eyes were watching. The New York Times described unique process for hiring the effort as “hurtling down a road that few cities have traveled before.” seven Operations base chiefs The project’s complexities spanned politics, technology, the pre-established in a single recruitment, taking into account specific processes of many bureaucracies, public understanding, and languages. PACE recommendations and required competencies Our dedicated cross-sectional team and stakeholder steering committee for the position. She laid out a comprehensive wisely built on systems already in place. They partnered with Public Health work plan that included representatives from Base and eight human service agencies to verify income eligibility, created a Operations, and for the first time, the Transit Chief user registry to share up-to-date records, modified the ORCA system with hiring announcement included a packet loaded a new product, and got the word out to the community. “ORCA LIFT is an with information helpful to potential and/or future example of how we’re turning King County’s commitment to building equity applicants. She made it clear what competencies into action,” said County Executive Dow Constantine. The team delivered Metro would test for and how those competencies a cost-effective, accountable, customer-focused program that is allowing would need to be demonstrated, held feedback thousands of low-income riders to save half the fare on their transit trips. sessions for the candidates after the selection process, and surveyed the candidates to learn ways to improve the process for next time.

Terry White (Customer Communications and Services) Terry White was honored for his forward thinking and advocacy of continuing process improvement in all things that are “customer service.” He has increased Call Center efficiency (calls handled have improved from 25 percent to 90-plus percent) by modifying hours of operation and aligning staff members into specialized teams, with calls directed to skilled experts as needed. He launched a Twitter/Facebook social media response program; established an Executive Contact Response Team to enhance coordination with Executive staff members, elected officials, Metro managers, and customers; improved morale and Metro/King County members of the ORCA LIFT team include (clockwise efficiencies through team building; and trained his from bottom) Bob Virkelyst, Gail Tanaka, Penny Lara, Collette Fidecaro, Barb DeLauter, Sarah Driggs, Matt Hansen, Carol Merrill, Ref Lindmark, group in Lean techniques. He is currently involved in and Chuck Sawyer. See complete list of team members at left. several technology initiatives, including new elements for the Mobile Trip Planner and real-time notifications about service exceptions. SEP / OCT 2015 5 CAMPAIGN: Trip Planner App Promotion Print Media ADWHEEL AWARDS CATEGORY: 1-M Transit Card PG1 of 3

EXERIOR BUS ADS

Turn your mobile device GET THE APP! into a mobile device Puget Sound Trip Planner

AD PAID FOR BY

GET THE APP! It’s like your own Puget Sound Trip Planner Kudos! personal transit system n Metro fleet purchases recognized—The Sustainable Purchasing AD PAID FOR BY KING COUNTY METRO Leadership Council recognized Metro’s fleet purchases with its 2015 Outstanding Marketing’s award-winning ad campaign told people about our new Trip Planner app. Case Study Award. The winning case study showcased our groundbreaking n Marketing team scores award for bus and made him comfortable in the hybrid bus purchases, zero-emission ad campaign—Metro picked up a first- shade of a tree until the fire crew arrived electric trolleys, the MetroPool electric place AdWheel award in the American a few minutes later and began treating vehicle vanpool program, our internal Public Transportation Association’s him. According to another customer on Sustainability Plan and reporting program, 2015 advertising competition. The the bus, “Damon’s quick thinking got and our general innovation and leadership winning campaign, spearheaded by that passenger to the medical aid he among transit agencies. You can view Communications Specialist Kelly Lindsey, required in a hurry.” Far from getting him it on the council’s website at www. used exterior bus ads to let people know in trouble, his quick thinking and selfless sustainablepurchasing.org/outstanding- about the new Puget Sound Trip Planner actions make us proud. case-studies. App. Metro will be recognized on October Damon Calhoun 5 during a special ceremony at APTA’s n helped a Rowe project published—The 2015 Annual Meeting in San Francisco. Transportation Research Record, a peer- passenger in As a first place winner, we’re eligible to distress. reviewed journal of the Transportation win a Grand Prize Award—and if that Research Board, published a paper by happens, In Transit will let you know. Transportation Planner Daniel Rowe (Market Development) in its December n Caught in an act of kindness— 2014 issue. “Modeling of Multifamily Operator Eloy Gil received the following Residential Parking Use in King County, praise from an appreciative customer: Washington” details Rowe’s Right- Our bus driver came to a stop in Fremont Size Parking project, which created an where a temporary no parking tent-style interactive web tool that helps developers sign was lying in the parking strip. Once estimate the likely need for site parking he unloaded the passengers at the stop, at properties they are developing in the he got out and fixed the sign. It only Transit operators urban areas of King County. The project took a second and was a nice thing to of the month was funded by a Federal Highways do. It made me and my husband (both Administration grant and was done passengers) admire his work ethic and August 2015 in partnership with the Center for our city. Atlantic Base: Erine Lawton Neighborhood Technology, the Urban Bellevue Base: Peter Hummer n Operator detours to help a Land Institute, and the Washington State Central Base: Kenneth Chau customer—On July 4, Damon Department of Transportation. Learn more East Base: Charles Taulbee Calhoun was driving Route 124 through at www.rightsizeparking.org. North Base: Craig Huizinga Georgetown and chatting with a customer Ryerson Base: Nathan Wilkinson about the heat. Suddenly the customer South Base: Bruce Buckmaster told Calhoun that he had a history of heart problems and thought he might be September 2015 having a heart attack. Calhoun detoured Atlantic Base: Ralph Klein his bus to a fire station just around the Bellevue Base: (declined) block, knowing he might get in trouble Central Base: Irina Kirllova for going off-route. He radioed the Transit East Base: Karl Neubert Control Center to let them know what North Base: Tamara Adams he was doing and why. When the bus Ryerson Base: Ramona Hambert reached the station, the crew from Engine South Base: Patrick Ndirangu Daniel Rowe in front of a screen showing Company 27 was out on another call, his Right Size Parking calculator. so Calhoun helped the customer off the

6 SEP / OCT 2015 n Warranty group saves big money— PTOs starting July 27: Gregory SERVICE Did you know that between 1999 and year- Barton (C), Jacqueline Breiling (E), end 2014, Vehicle Maintenance’s Warranty Alexander Burns (R), Yohans AWARDS Administration Group processed claims Getahun (E), Matthew Gould (R), worth nearly $53 million for parts, labor, Beza Haile (C), Abdikarim and retrofit kits for 18 new bus contracts, Hassan (C), Joi Majack (C), Service award achievements Ricardo Pena (C), Andrew Pfeifer- plus after-market warranty recovery? The following employees achieved a Deleon (C), Laura Richardson (R), That’s big money! Together, the team’s five major service milestone in the third Dawit Seyoum (R), Timothy dedicated staffers have 97 years’ worth of quarter of 2015: warranty experience in the transit industry. Sim (R), Mitch Spencer (C), Tedros They look forward to continued successes Worku (E), Nathaniel Yates (R) 30 years with Metro’s new bus purchases. FTOs starting Aug. 8: Richard Customer Communications and n Praise for Tony Mitchell—“I take the Ackley (N), Kevin Davis (N), Levi Services Penny Jones Sounder Train from Kent into , and Elenzano (A), Michael Fleming (R), then catch the 99 bus to the waterfront to Mackenzie Gibbons (N), Cherry Design and Construction work on Pier 70,” wrote Rhonda G. in praise Gilbert (R), Joshua Goldman James Carlson, Yolanda Geyen, of her bus driver. “He needs to be given a (R), Joanna Gonzalez (A), Sheldon Teel medal, or an award, or a raise or all three. Christopher Harris (N), Oscar Operations Jeffries-Richard (N), Christina Michael Bachtel, Paul Bachtel, Michael “I don’t know his name but his cheerful Kast (A), David Lombard (N), Rene Balsiger, Kenneth Brown, Lyn Brown, attitude, his friendly demeanor and his Maxwell (R), Dereje Melkamu (N), Michael Campbell, Anthony Cox, Mark kindness stand out above any bus driver Matthew Morris (A), Richard Foss, Sandy Garcia, Richard Gherardini, that has driven that route in the past. I Nelson (A), David Nguyen (A), Cynthia Gregory, Bruce Jochim, Ralph appreciate that young man more than you Alexander Oei (A), Joshua Ott (R), Keyport, Mark Lewis, Robert Monson, know. He is a bright spot in my very long Darton Overby (N), Shonta Trevor Pemberton, Jay Sybert commuting morning and I am so happy to Riles (A), Annette Santiago (R), see him behind the wheel when I board. Randolph Scott (R), Kenneth Power and Facilities “His driving is impeccable. He is a very Sledge (R), Abdinasir Sofe (A), Steven Cozad, Alan Huston, Joseph calm driver, very competent, and obeys all Cody VanCour (N), Alemnesh McDaniel, Patrick McGuire Zerga (R) rules and laws as he transports us around Rail Brian Ormond town. That young man is an asset to PTOs starting Aug. 10: Daniel Vehicle Maintenance your company and my hope is that he is Amador (R), Aaron Anderson (E), Patrick Kalalau, Bruce Lillquist recognized for it.” Consider it done! Carina Booyens (N), Charles n New part-time, full-time operator Burns (N), Joseph Matter (E), Ashil 25 years grads—In Transit congratulates the Naidu (E), Gary Pieterman (E), following new part-time and full-time Carlos Pineda (R), Chris Preston (C), Customer Communications and operators (PTOs and FTOs, respectively) William Raymond (B), Charles Services Kelly Lindsey and wishes each of them a long, safe and Sanders (R), Scott Silva (B), Hiwot fulfilling career. (Base assignments are Soloman (E), Andrew Tully (R) Operations listed as: A = Atlantic, B = Bellevue, Samuelu Aulava, Nathaniel Bennett, John PTOs starting Aug. 24: Assegid Dunlop, Timothy Flanagan, Max Givenchy, C = Central, E = East, N = North, Anbesso (E), Jamichael Bailey (E), R = Ryerson, S = South) Marek Jelen, Ilene McCune, William Katrina Beckwith (C), Gary Santiago, Steven Schwartzhoff, Robert PTOs starting July 13: Abdullahi Ali (S), Fetui (R), Miguel Gasper (C), Noor Terry, Sebastian Vithayathil Katherine Cannon (E), Raymundo Leon Hussein (B), Kyle Kiehnle (S), Paratransit/Rideshare Anne Bruskland Cortes (C), Reuben Factor (S), Abdullahi Bre’anna Robinson (R), Telton Farah (R), Neil Goldingay (S), Ethel Searcy (S), Parkash Singh (R), Power and Facilities Green (C), Ray Harding (R), Stephanie Warrick Tullos, Jr. (C), Walid Brian Cady, Ben Deramas, Joseph Jacobs (S), Mark Mazariegos (S), Joshua Underwood (N) Fahlgren, Brenda Mies, Eduardo Padilla, Sample (S), Simone Sharpe (R), Caleb Leonard Thomas Tate (S), Lucinda Watson (R), Sweller Vehicle Maintenance Weller (C), Corey Woodward (N), Eric Apling, Elaine Field, Frederick Landon, Miskiker Yilma (N), Shawn Yim (N) Adono Pastores, Renato Quiambao

SEP / OCT 2015 7 Security Sensitive Is it HOT in here?

I’d like to show the Afghan embassy in Washington, • A flashlight cylinder wrapped in black you how a simple D.C., under a seat. electrical tape is found behind a trash three-letter word 3. Sitting on the reception counter in the can at Convention Place Station. can help you office is a small plastic apparatus that • A box painted silver, with reflectors quickly decide looks like a lawn sprinkler head. on one side, is found under a seat on whether an unattended item is a train at Westlake Station. suspicious, versus simply having been Item 1, a tool box in the engine left behind, lost, or misplaced. When area, isn’t necessarily suspicious. It’s If you said both were HOT, you’ve you see an unattended item, ask more likely to have been left behind got the idea. Both ended up being yourself if it’s “HOT,” as in: than hidden, and there’s an obvious innocent, forgotten items (the first connection between engines and tools. was a makeshift light saber, and the Hidden: does the item appear to have So we have a likely a score of zero out second was part of a robot costume been intentionally hidden? of three (i.e., not HOT). from a recent anime convention). But they were both definitely worth Obviously suspicious: does it have Item 2 isn’t necessarily hidden, but it checking out. wires or chemical odors? Is it ticking? is suspicious because we have military operations in Afghanistan. And it’s out Keep your eyes peeled, and remember (not) Typical of its environment: does of place because post offices aren’t open to use HOT when you come across an it belong, or seem out of place? on Sunday. So this scores at least a one unattended item. Here’s a pop quiz. Which of these is out of three, which is enough to make — Mark L. Norton, Manager H, O, or (not) T? it HOT. Transit Security and Emergency 1. A bus operator notices that the rear Item 3 isn’t hidden, but its spray design Management main hatch on her artic coach is not could be used for dispersing chemical Send comments and ideas on Metro completely closed, so she opens it weapons, and it’s seriously out of place. security, emergency management, and to re-latch it and finds what appears It scores two out of three, very HOT. homeland security to mark.norton@ to be a small toolbox blocking the Now, for your final exam, here are two kingcounty.gov. latch. actual cases from Metro’s incident files. 2. At his terminal on a Sunday, a bus What do you think—are they HOT? operator finds a box addressed to

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 HR ramps up hiring

Finding good candidates gets harder as Our latest marketing campaign for part- Some of our best new hires come from the economy improves and competition time operators, “Release Your Secret employee referrals. If you know of for the best people increases, but we’re Identity,” has been well-received and is someone who’d be a good addition to our having success through partnerships with generating heightened interest in working team, please encourage them to call 206- community agencies like Apprenticeship as a Metro driver. We’re expanding 477-6000 or check out our job openings and Non-Traditional Employment our video campaign with realistic job online at www.kingcounty.gov/Jobs or Opportunities for Women (ANEW); previews, video conditional offers, and— www.kingcounty.gov/DriveForMetro. local colleges, including South Seattle coming soon—a detailed infographic Community College and the University for navigating the transit operator pre- of Washington; and other King County employment process. You’ll also see us departments to get the word out that at community events and career fairs, on we’re hiring. college campuses, and on military bases.

8 SEP / OCT 2015 News Briefs n Metro “electrifies” parade viewers – The 2015 Seafair Torchlight Parade, on July 25, offered a great opportunity to boost our part- time driver recruitment campaign. Bus ads drew attention to the fact that one can be a part-time Metro driver while having an additional job or interest outside of Metro. We also told the parade audience that more electric buses are coming soon to Metro. As our contingent approached KIRO-TV’s coverage, we broke into dance—the electric slide, in keeping with our theme. Our bus, its messages in place for the Torchlight Parade, is flanked by Seafair pirates. n New Flyer Xcelsior coaches receive final prep – Before one of Metro’s 60 new New Flyer 40-foot Xcelsior coaches n Tour fall foliage in a vintage n New Braille markers on bus goes into service, Vehicle Maintenance bus – On Sunday, Oct. 11, you and your fleet – New markers that provide the staffers at Bellevue Base do a final pre- family and friends are invited to take a bus number in Braille have been installed service inspection. About three of these scenic four-hour trip through the Cascade all of our buses. This allows customers new buses are delivered to the base each foothills along the quiet back roads of who are blind or visually impaired and week from the Component Supply Center. east King County as the autumn leaves can read Braille to report incidents, even At Bellevue they’re added to Metro’s active are turning color, with stops for photos if they’re reluctant to ask the driver for fleet inventory and a mechanic does a and lunch. The tour, aboard classic and the number. The new marker is found pre-service inspection, checking for leaks vintage buses, departs at 11 a.m. from near the center of the driver surround at and loose connections, securing clamps, Second Avenue S and S Main Street, the front of the bus. Service Information checking gear oil and fluid levels, and across from the Seattle Fire Department staffers Dave Lantry and Jim Martin much more. After charging the batteries, Headquarters. Fares are $5; children 5 and worked with Accessible Services and the we reboot the radio for final downloads. under ride free. Learn more at mehva.org. blind/visually impaired community on the markers’ design and location. Community The mechanic will test-drive the bus and n Park-and-ride demand keeps check for codes and top off the fuel tank, outreach and training are being handled going up – Data from the fourth quarter and the new bus is ready for service. So far, by Lighthouse for the Blind. Metro is now of 2014 shows growing use of the operator feedback has been positive about one of only four large transit agencies in 130 park-and-rides in our service area. these new additions to our fleet. the U.S. that provide these markers. Together, these facilities offer a total capacity of 25,489 parking spaces—92 more than in 2013. On average, 20,054 of these spaces were used on a daily basis, for a utilization rate of 79 percent of available capacity. On average, 3 percent more vehicles used the lots than in the previous year. Demand for parking is strongest among suburban commuters, particularly on the Eastside. The data continues to reflect strong links between park-and-ride use, transit ridership, and economic growth. Markers near the front of each bus show Mechanic Bob Bellgardt does a pre-service the bus number in Braille. inspection on one of the new 7200 New Flyer Xcelsior buses at Bellevue Base.

SEP / OCT 2015 9 News Briefs n Life after VanPool – Since 1996, n VM Lean update – By late July, replacing the machines used to rebuild them, our retired van grant program has Vehicle Maintenance had instituted a this is no longer the case. allowed King County councilmembers Lean daily management system and team Other VM superintendents are applying to pair retired Metro VanPool vehicles huddles at five of seven bases, with plans Lean thinking to examine issues involving with nonprofit agencies. The program to include the final two bases by summer’s employee injuries, hybrid bus efficiency, contributes to the community by end. All VM bases are looking at ways responsiveness to customers, and a number supporting those in need of special to increase “miles between (bus) trouble of other Metro priorities. transportation, such as people with low calls.” In team huddles, mechanics share incomes or disabilities, youths, and senior information about major system trouble call n Strategic Plan Progress Report – citizens. Each councilmember can award trends and buses that have repeat issues, The new Strategy and Performance three vans per year in his or her district. and work to identify root causes in order to workgroup (see page 4) recently published The nonprofit agency provides insurance prevent future trouble calls. Metro’s 2014 Strategic Plan Progress and covers maintenance cost, and On July 13, County Executive Dow Report. This annual report shows how provides staff to operate and service the Constantine met with several VM we’re doing on 61 important performance vans. Metro’s VanPool program provides superintendents who’ve been immersed in measures, including safety and security, the vans, and Accessible Services works Lean leadership development. He thanked customer satisfaction, service reliability, cost with the nonprofit agency and County them for their hard work and for honing control, and energy efficiency. The report is Council staff members to finalize the their Lean leadership skills like coaching, available on Metro’s online Accountability process. The retired vans are typically listening, and learning and applying Center (www.kingcounty.gov/metro/ 8-10 years old and have an average of problem-solving thinking through A3, a accountability)—look under the Highlights 85,000-95,000 miles on their odometers, Lean tool that helps identify problems, tab or under Performance / Annual Reports. but they’ve been well cared-for on a specify outcome goals, understand rigorous service schedule. More than n New electric trolleys begin service current conditions and the root causes 500 vans have been delivered to area – On Aug. 18, Executive Dow Constantine of the problem, and develop and test nonprofit agencies so far. was joined by Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, countermeasures. County Council Chair Larry Phillips, and As one example of this work, Elie FTA Region 10 Administrator Rick Krochalis Kourdahi and Stan Lillquist, VM in announcing the deployment of Metro’s superintendents at North and Bellevue new state-of-the-art electric trolley buses. bases, respectively, worked with Fleet The first five of 174 trolleys began service Engineering Analyst Bruce Dahl to assess the next day. During the well-attended whether Metro could save money and time media event at Atlantic Base, the Executive by buying standard bus brakes to replace also offered a preview of the three worn-out ones instead of rebuilding brake prototype all-battery electric buses that shoes in-house. Rebuilding was once Metro will be receiving in a few months. the more-efficient process, but their A3 A battery charging station has already been analyses showed that, in light of advances installed at the Eastgate Park-and-Ride in in brake technology and the cost of preparation for their arrival.

Councilmember Kathy Lambert, right, arranged for this retired van to be donated to the nonprofit Mamma’s Hands. To her right is Amy Hardebeck, the agency’s executive director.

Our new purple trolleys have batteries that allow them to go off-wire for short distances.

10 SEP / OCT 2015 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12 On the move Safety Notes Timothy Day, intern II – undergraduate/ mechanic – July 21 Daniel Dewey, mechanic – July 13 Comprehensive Lawrence Duram, equipment service worker – August 10 review will pave John Edwards, mechanic – July 13 Curtis Foster, transit electronic technician – the way to safety August 10 Marc Frause, intern II – undergraduate/ excellence mechanic – July 21 Metro has hired Terracon, a respected nationwide consulting firm Gerald Gordon, transit electronic technician with offices in Seattle, to perform a comprehensive review of our – August 10 safety management system. James Hammitt, mechanic – July 13 Eric Johanson, mechanic – July 13 Over the next few months, Terracon’s team will examine our Rick Knutson, mechanic – August 10 safety policies, procedures, and practices. They’ll be talking with Jeremy Miller, transit purchasing specialist – employees, both face-to-face and through a survey. Both Metro August 10 leaders and Terracon will communicate with employees about the Brian Orkney, mechanic – August 10 review’s progress throughout the effort. Robert Payseno, Jr., mechanic – August 10 What do we hope to accomplish through this? Sithiphong (Robert) Praseuth, intern II – undergraduate/mechanic – July 2 Based on its assessment, Terracon will develop an implementation Dennis Price, electronic technician – plan as a tool kit for Metro leaders to use to improve the July 13 effectiveness of our safety program. Improvements will come from Kevin Resinto, mechanic – August 10 a variety of observations. including identified gaps in safety culture, Mark Snyder, Jr., transit electronic technician safety infrastructure, safety policies and procedures, training, – August 10 technology, and our ability to measure program results. Paul Stoppleworth, mechanic – July 13 The objective of this effort is to provide Metro with an effective ■■ In Our Thoughts and efficient understanding of our safety culture. It will identify best practices that should be promoted, as well as areas for Jesse Cross, transit operator (retired) passed away July 3 improvement. It will provide specific, measurable, action-oriented, realistic, and time-bound broad and specific recommendations for Bill Watson, facilities maintenance worker (South Facilities) passed away July 1 addressing identified gaps and risk exposures. It will also develop templates for policies, practices, and procedures that will help us identify opportunities to improve safety and sustain excellence. In other words, we’re looking at everything that involves safety Corrections at Metro. In the print edition of our last issue, Here’s how you can help. Think about what a world-class safety we incorrectly identified Operator culture looks like to you. Be open to providing input through a of the Year John Boone as an East survey and other means—perhaps face-to-face with the consultant. Base operator. Boone works out of If you have other ideas, give me a call at 206-477-6860, or contact Bellevue Base. your base Safety Officer. In On the Move under new hires, I appreciate everyone’s efforts to reduce accidents of all kinds. Andrew Brick, Briana Lovell, and Safety is Metro’s top priority, and this Comprehensive Safety System Alena Marshak were incorrectly Review will help us develop a road map for the future. listed under Service Development. All — Darryl Russell, Metro Transit Safety Superintendent three are in Strategy and Performance, a recently formed group that is independent of Service Development. In Transit regrets the errors.

SEP / OCT 2015 11 ON THE MOVE Retirements, promotions/job changes, new hires, and remembrances

■■ Retirements unit) from media relations officer (King Dennis Robinson to transit County Sherriff’s Office) purchasing specialist from transit Customer Communications and Services Operations parts specialist David Hollar, Project/Program Manager Jeri Rollison to lead purchasing Tutti Compton to acting superintendent III – August 1; 22 years specialist (Component Supply (Atlantic Base) from chief Operations Center) from purchasing specialist Laird Cusack to “special duty assignment” Dan Santon to acting functional Jeffrey Brockmeier, transit operator (Operations Planning and Technical analyst II (King Street Center) from (South) – August 1; 22 years Support ) from supervisor of transit labor lead mechanic (Atlantic) Maurice DiGennaro, transit operator relations (Transit HR) (South) – August 1; 24 years Benita Grace to administrative specialist ■ Earl Hughes, transit operator (Ryerson) – (Central Base Operations) from North ■ New Hires August 1; 22+ years Base Operations Customer Communications Phillip Lamebull, transit operator (South) Mike McGrath to first-line supervisor - and Services – August 1; 14 years training instructor (East Campus) from Tyler Jenicek, transit pass sales Carey Watson, transit operator (North) – acting chief (North Base) representative – August 12 August 6; 36 years Shanta Sillan to acting chief (Atlantic Paratransit/Rideshare Operations Edward Young, transit operator (Ryerson) Base) from first-line supervisor Paige Blazei, transportation planner – August 1; 28+ years Power and Facilities II (TLT) – October 10 Paratransit/Rideshare Operations Ron Eckert to acting facilities chief from Power and Facilities Jerry Hunnicutt, maintenance rideshare facilities maintenance planner Ephraim Almaraz, utility line worker service representative (VanPool) – June Heidi Huston to acting functional analyst – July 22 30; 30+ years II from data administrator Marion Asirot, custodian II (North Power and Facilities Jeff Lai to acting functional analyst IV Facilities) – July 29 from functional analyst III Paul Sorensen, transit chief (South Damont Cain, electrician constructor Facilities) – July 1; 31 years Raquel Loyola to data administrator from (TLT) – July 13 Public Health Edgardo Fabia, custodian II (North Vehicle Maintenance Nick Nash to acting facilities maintenance Facilities) – July 6 Francis (Pat) O’Reilly, mechanic – planner from maintenance constructor Oscar Freeman, utility laborer September 30; 24+ years Lyn Winfield to data administrator from (North Facilities_ - July 29 administrative staff assistant Bob McCarthy, transit radio and ■■ Promotions and Job communication systems specialist Changes Service Development David Cantey to acting transit supervisor – July 1 Customer Communications and Services (Route Facilities) from transportation Duke Thietje, electrician constructor Terrie Kennedy to transit chief (Customer planner III (TLT) – July 6 Information/Revenue Processing) from Carol Cooper to transit supervisor Scott Rawson, transit maintenance functional analyst IV (Market Development) from acting constructor – August 10 Gayle Torgerson to transit chief supervisor Strategy and Performance (Customer Services-Technology) from Vehicle Maintenance Brandt Scanlan, graduate intern III functional analyst IV John Alley to acting manager from – June 22 Design and Construction assistant manager Vehicle Maintenance Liz Krenzel to supervisory engineer Curtis Bozell to lead mechanic (South) Kyle Blackwell, mechanic – July 13 (special duty in Project/Program from mechanic Song Bounyavong, equipment Management) from project engineer/ Eric Brown to dispatcher (East) from engineer V service worker – August 10 equipment service worker (North) Larry Bowles, equipment service Pete Melin to acting manager from Thomas Hodges to equipment service supervisor of program/project worker – August 10 worker (Central) from rail station Troy Cantini, transit electronic management (backfill for Randy Witt, custodian now at City of Shoreline) technician – August 10 Alex Nichols to acting lead mechanic Rick Czaplinski, mechanic – July 13 Metro Transit Police (Central) from mechanic Sergeant “B.J.” Myers to supervising Mark Peterson to acting transit deputy (Shoreline/Federal Way patrol maintenance analyst from mechanic (East) CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

12 SEP / OCT 2015