June 30, 2020
Phoenix Public Transit Awarded Employer of the Year by Women in Transportation (WTS International)
Each month the WTS Metro Phoenix Chapter spotlights a local award recipient. This month, WTS is spotlighting the Employer of the Year which goes to (drumroll…) the city of Phoenix Public Transit Department.
While Phoenix Public Transit is a somewhat smaller department within the overall city of Phoenix workforce, the daily work has great impact on the lives of our residents. Our passengers depend on our employees and contractors to make sure we are providing reliable and safe public transit options.
As the largest member of the Valley Metro regional transit system, Phoenix provides local and commuter bus service as well as Dial-a-Ride service for individuals with special needs. Over 43 million bus and light rail boardings occurred within Phoenix last year - and that's no small feat, considering everything that goes on behind the scenes including the planning, scheduling, operations, financial, administrative and compliance components (to name a few) that make a bus or light rail ride possible.
The Department is a tight-knit team that collaborates not only with other city departments but with many other agencies and community partners, so that our citizens have a variety of options to get where they need to go – whether that's to work, school or appointments.
Public Transit employees, men and women alike, may wear several hats - which means it is easier to interact with decisionmakers and have more visibility. And because our staff often wears several hats they are likely to gain knowledge, skills and insight beyond their role.
WTS talked with Public Transit Director Jesus Sapien about the Department's commitment to providing opportunities for career development.