“If we're running behind schedule, then I don't get a break.” “It's hard to keep up because literally I don't take breaks. His line used to have several buses on it simultaneously, and now it’s been dropped down to one bus that comes hourly. It wasn’t difficult to keep up when there was no traffic and fewer people were stopping the bus to get on and off.īut traffic is back, and B is still expected to stick to that tight schedule. It's not just a lack of drivers that’s forcing bus drivers to cancel trips.ī says when COVID first hit and Metro decreased service, buses ran on new, tighter schedules with fewer minutes between stops. The agency hopes to restore full service by June. And Metro recently announced that later this month, it’ll cut its bus service by 12% while it tries to fill hundreds of open operator positions. In the fall, LA Metro canceled about 10% of its bus trips. The agency did not respond to a request for comment. ![]() And LA Metro received another $1 billion this year. Last year, the LA area received $3.8 billion in pandemic relief for public transportation. So we were all looking forward to a bonus and we never got it. “MTA received a lot of money, from what I understand, to help with COVID. Nurses, police officers, firefighters, grocery workers, restaurants, they really went out and gave their employees bonuses for coming to work,” B says. “The thing that has lowered morale is that essential workers were given raises. But minimum wage in Los Angeles is about to bump up to $16 an hour. New bus operators get a starting wage of $19 per hour - that’s a temporary pilot program that’s increasing the wage from $17.75. In December, they hired 11 people – and 32 left. LA Metro has more than 3,000 bus operators. ![]() Dealing with the bad people really makes it hard, but it takes one nice person to start the process again,” he says.īut it’s pretty clear not all of his colleagues like driving as much as he does. He says hello to everyone who steps on, he waves through the occasional passenger who can’t find enough change to pay a full fare, and he takes pride in his work. Operators who have been here every day since the beginning, a lot of them took off,” this hard-working LA Metro bus driver tells KCRW.ī is the kind of guy you want driving your bus. “We're often ignored or often mistreated. The bus driver did not get permission to talk to media, so we’re calling him by his initial, B.ī has worked for LA Metro for more than 30 years, and says he’s not surprised the agency is losing employees more quickly than it can hire them. Sometimes the people he serves yell at him, or spit in his face. He frequently has to skip breaks, and on what should be his days off, he’s often back on duty. Both are hiring for positions within their divisions.He’s at work before 5 a.m. While no experience is required, applicants must have and bring a valid driver’s license and have been an active driver for the past five years.Īpplicants interested in careers as bus mechanics or with Metro Transit police can visit career informational booths at the Feb. Metro Transit is also offering up to a $5,000 sign-on bonus for applicants who get hired.Īttendees at the hiring event will be able to apply and interview on the spot and even test drive a 40’ Metro Transit bus. The hourly wage jumps to $27.80 per hour after the first year and the salary continues to increase. New operators are paid while they train and earn $26.16 per hour as they begin. That’s where applicants can learn about the positions that offer benefits, including health care and a pension plan. 4 from 9 am to noon at the new North Loop garage, 600 8th Ave. Right now, Metro Transit is looking to hire the next group of drivers through the upcoming Drive the Bus Hiring Event. They count on us and we take care of the community.” “It’s a good feeling to help people get where they need to go. It pays for a home, my car, saving for my kids’ college,” said Pratt. “I have three kids at home all pulling Daddy in a different direction, but the salary is good. He’s come to take great pride in going the extra mile for them. With his ever-present smile and warm manner, Pratt has become a friendly part of the ride for many Metro Transit passengers. It’s since become a career that has been as fulfilling as it is lucrative. His first time on the job followed a month of training and instruction to prepare him for the work. ![]() Next thing I was behind the wheel,” recalled Pratt. “I had never driven a bus before, but I filled out the application and they called me for an interview. It was 22 years ago that the deacon advised Pratt to consider applying to Metro Transit for a job as a bus driver. A suggestion from a deacon at his church created a lifelong career for Robert Pratt.
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