Intelligent Transport Podcast Episode 29 – Phil DeVault & Patrick Brady, King County Metro

Beginning the conversation for this episode, Phil DeVault, Director of Bus Operations at King County Metro Transit, and Patrick Brady, Metro Driver and Member of the Amalgamated Transit Union #587 (ATU 587), discuss the inception and objectives of the ‘Mentors Moving Metro‘ programme aimed at fostering professional pride, support and mentorship among transit operators within the King County Metro system. They highlight the importance of creating a culture of collaboration and continuous learning to enhance the quality of service and job satisfaction among bus operators, while also emphasising the programme’s potential to strengthen community ties and improve overall transit experiences for passengers.

Then, Phil and Patrick delve into the challenges surrounding the ‘Mentors Moving Metro’ programme, particularly focusing on the recruitment and retention of mentors. They discuss the complexities of matching mentors and mentees effectively, considering factors like language proficiency, especially in a diverse workforce environment. Phil underlines the need for strong collaboration between the union and management to address these challenges and ensure successful mentorship relationships. In addition, Patrick outlines the programme’s long-term vision of evolving into a formal registered apprenticeship programme, offering various benefits to participants.

In the second half of this episode, we shift our focus to the future, as Phil and Patrick provide insights into the evolving dynamics of the public transit sector and the skills crucial for the workforce’s adaptability and success. They explore the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and highlight the significance of public service and the satisfaction derived from making a positive impact on people’s lives through transit operations.