Making Connections 2022 – Driving Bus Operator Recruitment and Retention: Challenges, Opportunities and Innovation

Transit Workforce Center

December 2022

This session about bus operator recruitment and retention was presented as part of TWC’s Making Connections 2022 transit workforce conference in December, 2022.

Session Summary: A headline issue confronting all transit systems today – how to attract and retain bus operators in a tight labor market. This lively session began with presentations from the TCRP F-28 research team and TransitCenter on their recently published national research findings on recruiting, developing and retaining transit bus operators.  Labor and management industry practitioners from multiple locations then shared their recruitment approaches and strategies that have been most effective on the ground, and TWC staff summarized the National Transit Frontline Worker Recruitment Campaign.

Moderator

Rob Puentes: President and CEO – The Eno Center for Transportation

Speakers

Julia Castillo: Executive Director – Heart of Iowa Regional Transit Agency
James Duff: Assistant Vice President, Human Resources – Dallas Area Rapid Transit
Jeff Hazen: Executive Director – Sunset Empire Transportation District
Steve Jovel: Transportation Superintendent – Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
Robin Phillips: Executive Director – National Rural Transit Assistance Program
Harpreet Singh: JWI Director – Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265
David Stephen: Senior Communications Specialist – International Transportation Learning Center/Transit Workforce Center
Chris Van Eyken: Program Manager – TransitCenter