Rider's Almanac Blog

A message from General Manager Wes Kooistra

For as long as our organization has been around, we’ve been encouraging people to join our community of riders. Many of you have been part of this community for years, perhaps decades. 

I want to thank you for riding with us in the past. And now, I want to thank you for finding other ways to get around, limiting your use of transit to essential trips only or staying home altogether. 

With your help, we are doing our part to help prevent the transmission of the coronavirus, protecting those who must ride and those who are providing essential transit service. 

Today, we continue to grapple with two important questions: How do we minimize the risks to our riders and employees, and how do we adapt our service to meet the realities of the situation we’re in?

The answers to these questions continue to evolve as the public health response to this pandemic also continues to evolve. 

For now, it is clear that we must continue asking people to only use transit when they have an essential need to do so, and to take precautions when riding. Thank you for continuing to do that, despite the hardships doing so may bring. 

It is also clear that our frontline employees – our operators, technicians, police officers and others – are doing remarkable work in the face of incredibly challenging operating conditions. 

I hope you will join me in thanking them for their continued efforts, whether or not you are currently riding with us. Suggested ways to show your support are outlined below. 

While we are focused on the present, we are also beginning to chart our future. ​

Ahead of us is an opportunity to create a different and better transit system. We will build upon our strengths, and we will thoughtfully correct weaknesses and shortcomings. We are prepared to welcome new ideas, new approaches, and new partnerships that improve transit service.

We recognize that this is not a short walk; it is a journey. We will learn as we go, and we will be agile in responding to what we discover along the way.

This work can only be accomplished in partnership with many others – with our employees, with local and state leaders and with you, our customers. Please continue to let us know how we can serve you better today, and in the future.

Again, thank you for supporting Metro Transit and for doing your part to help our region get through this pandemic. 

Learn more about Metro Transit's response to the coronavirus

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