Communication

Sienna Dunn

White Paper Outline

Introduction

• At the age of 24, I started training to be a bus operator in the streets of San Francisco.

• At the time I believed it was a good opportunity for me to start another career.

• The trainers that I had did a great job of providing me with the tools and resources

necessary for me to operate the coaches.

• What I was not prepared for was the reality of all the dangers that came from not only

driving the coach but also the trauma that you see on and off the coach.

Why the need for the improvement in the training program

• The pedestrians that want to play Russian Roulette with a multi-ton vehicle. The

application did not mention the fact that as an operator you were not just operating your

coach but also for everyone around you.

• Looking at the San Francisco Municipal Transit Agency I see and understand the need that

is necessary to ensure that the agency is able to provide quality service to the riding public

of San Francisco.

• The SFMTA was established over 100 years ago but has faced many trials and tribulations

since its inception.

• The Training Department is the backbone to the any transit agency and needs to have a

strong staff and the resources necessary to ensure that the employees must be successful.

• The goal is to ensure that training is the most up to date and that the materials are current.

Possibility of improvement

• The agency has an obligation to ensure that the staff is knowledgeable about the task that

is required.

• The current strategy of the agency is to establish a staff that is familiar with the rules,

procedures and the protocols that are necessary to ensure the goal for the agency.

• It is also mandatory that the department has the available equipment. The equipment

includes the course material, the various coaches that is needed to conduct training while

not impacting regular service.

Guidelines necessary to ensure that the agency stays within the legal parameters

• There must be a familiarity with the rules and regulations required to operate coaches and

certifying that the staff is knowledgeable about the Federal Transit Administration.

• The Leadership Strategy is to confirm that the training program is designed to provide

safety and regulatory guidance necessary for success.

Conclusion

• The impact that lack of sufficient training can have on society

• The impact of what a positive outcome can have on the agency and society.