In-Transit Winter 2021 Edition Features: See full story on p. 17 Legislative Report P.5 Operator Earns Purple Heart on Road To Recovery P. 9 Southwest Transit COVID-19 Response/ Update P.10 Transit Alternatives Welcomes New Operations Manager P. 14 Metro Bus Goes 65 Days without an Accident P. 16 Photo Courtesy of Moorhead MATBUS displays toys from ‘Stuff The Bus’ Weather-Torn Flag Replaced by Veteran Meet the MPTA Board’s new President Drivers In this Q&A learn all about Ryan Daniel along with his experiences and what he hopes to do on the MPTA board P.19 P. 3-4 And So Get Festive! See how transit systems Much More! across the state are meeting needs and spreading cheer this holiday season Learn more about toy drives with SouthWest Transit, St. Cloud Metro Bus, MATBUs and so much more. As the pandemic continues communities. to challenge transit, transit fights back to contiunue to serveP. our 11,13,17 President’s Column With new proposals coming and going, we’ll Minnesota Public Transit Association and Thank you for your membership in the when important decisions are made that President! impactmake sure transit you inknow Minnesota. what is Thehappening latest thanks for supporting me as your new MPTA While we’re all struggling through this againround negotiations. of federal transit funding is a great challenge and lead the association at a critical development after months of on-again, off- pandemic, I’m excited to take on this new time, in partnership with all of the members of serviceThe distribution to shine as of weCOVID-19 help people vaccines access in the MPTA Board of Directors. distribution2021 will provide centers opportunities to get a shot, for and transit this MPTA President Ryan Daniel As we prepare for the 2021 Legislative Session, MPTA is developing new ways of new development will make people feel more advocating for transit systems and keeping the comfortable about riding transit again. issue in front of legislators. We will be dealing does plan to host the Bus Roadeo in July in allwith about new how legislators transit –service 10 new operates senators in and their St.With Cloud a light and at the the Minnesota/Wisconsin end of the tunnel, MPTA joint 23 new House members – who need to learn join in our advocacy campaign with updated While those who wish to participate remotely transitdistricts. system We’re descriptions, asking our MPTA photos, members videos to Transit Conference in Duluth in October. and other materials that highlight the many willin the join conference us in person will and be able we will to do once so, weagain havehope athat great when time October catching arrives, up and more learning people willbenefits need transit to be creative systems in provide communicating to the regularlycommunities with they legislators serve. We as theyknow meet that and we from each other. membership with MPTA. Your membership work remotely. We also know that with a In January, we’ll be asking you to renew your ourprojected state. budget deficit, we will need to be proactive in fighting for the future of transit in allows us to lobby on your behalf, develop developmenttools and resources that impact to advocate your system, for your as wellsystem, as accessing and keep importantup to date trainingon the latest and notIf you sure know who your your local legislators legislators are, –we’ll great! be Now is the time to send a quick email. If you’re community.networking opportunities. It’s a great value theyproviding understand that information what’s happening and working in your with for a modest investment in the transit you to find ways to connect and make sure during this challenging time! We’ll continue public.area. MPTA will make it easy to communicate Thank you again for all the work you’re doing with local decision makers, legislators and the as Minnesotans continue to rely on transit to fight for transit service all across the state updated on the latest action in St. Paul and in Washington,MPTA will also D.C. be working to keep you service for access to medical services, food, work and other essential needs. Happy New Year! 2 Meet MPTA’s New President: Ryan Daniel Get to know MPTA’s new President in our Q&A Why did you want to be the president of the MPTA Board? I have a genuine passion for public transportation and find great joy in leading a dedicated group of transit professionals here at St. Cloud Metro Bus. I would like to utilize Transitmy industry and Washington knowledge andArea experience Transit Authoritygained from to workingenhance atthe New transit York services City we all deliver across our great state. rely on public transportation to deliver Ensuring our communities know they can What are your goals as president? My primary goal is to ensure that the voices them safely to their destinations will help our industry come back stronger than ever heard and represented on all industry Whyfrom dothese you recent think tough transit months. is important to of all of our transit systems statewide are our state and local communities? Where transportation goes the community issues, particularly advocating for increasing Myfunding other for top public goals transportation. are to increase public people in our state connecting them to people,grows. Transit places andis a lifelinepossibilities. for many I have seen investments in public transportation knowledge about issues affecting public transit and to create an inclusive network of transit agencies statewide which will nationalnationwide, economies. ranging from new rail lines to optimize partnerships and help deliver great BRT, result in growth for both local and the Lastly,service increasing to all of our awareness customers. among our How have you seen transit help/ assist potential passengers about the measures others in the past? public transit will be an important mission our industry is taking to keep them safe on I have seen transit be a source of hope and a lifeline to many people over the years as a Whatas we learndo you to expectlive with to COVID-19. see in 2021? reinvigoratedtransit professional. a current One customer. story I often Jan toldthink of is how our paratransit Dial-a-Ride service public transportation as we move into and I believe we will see a rebound in the use of us how she had been a marketing and sales professional for decades, leading an active through the new year. I am hopeful that our shelife andbecame enjoying depressed getting as out she to did meet not others. want ridership levels will increase by 50 percent However, when she lost the use of her legs, servicescompared more to current than ever. levels. As life returns to burden her family with ride requests but to normal, we know people may need our her home. 3 had lost the joy of being active outside of Meet MPTA’s New President: Ryan Daniel Institute Transit Academy and hold several I am a graduate of the National Transit certifications from the Transportation Safety Institute and FEMA. I have completed the U.S. DOT Transit Safety and Security Program and I am a Certified Safety Executive with the World Safety When Jan discovered Dial-a-Ride HowOrganization. long have you worked in transit/ service was an option for her, she once again able to travel around the transportation? felt a resurgence of hope as she was providecommunity our independently.essential services Stories to those like I have spent the last 23 consecutive years these inspire me to keep working to who use them! Whyin transportation do you continue in a multitude to do what of roles.you do? Tell us about yourself! How did you end up where you are now? Knowing that our customers get from point My transportation career started A to point B safely every day throughout the year keeps me energized and my team Whatfeeds offdo that you energy.enjoy doing outside of out in aviation. I worked both above American Airlines. During college your work with MPTA and the transit and below the wing for two years at communities? I love international travel and driving on I interned in the Human Resource department for New York City Transit for one year. *Fun Fact: every month the the Autobahn in Germany. My favorite department was tasked with hiring over train operators to train conductors and Isaircraft there are anything the B777, else B747 you’d and like A380. to tell 500 employees ranging from bus and station agents. To get to that number us about yourself, your goals or about transit/ MPTA? we had to call over 1000 candidates selecting Phil Pumphrey and me to lead monthly!* Thanks to the MPTA members for onI began my undergraduate my role as a bus and operator graduate for the Association. We will work relentlessly degrees.New York City Transit while working to support efforts aimed at building statecommunity and local support levels. for increased public transportation investment at the federal, Washington,Since then I have D.C., workedwith increasing for transit roles agencies in New York, Ohio and of responsibility and leadership. In security.addition to my MBA, I have a broad- based knowledge of transit safety and 4 Legislative Report Election Results largest vote nationwide, and Minnesota wasThe Novemberat the top once election again, generated an extraordinary the eligibleachievement Minnesotans in the midst voted of in a thispandemic. year’s According to the Star Tribune, eight in 10 once again the highest in the nation. In the House, Speaker Melissa Hortman election — a rate not seen in 60 years and (DFL-Brooklyn Park) will continue in her role along with Rep.