Magazine serving the bus and rail transit & motorcoach operations since 1904
Issue link: https://metromag.epubxp.com/i/83643
point of departure Transit jobs and GM traits A t press time, when the U.S. jobs growth numbers came in for the month of August, it was not looking good. The economy added just 96,000 new jobs, well below the roughly 130,000 economists had been expecting, according to an NBC News report. On the other hand, it appeared that the jobless numbers were improving, but the drop in num- bers was largely attributed to people dropping out of the job market because they had quit look- ing for work, retired or otherwise left the workforce. While the economy is still taking baby steps toward recovery, Greg LeRoy, director of Good Jobs First, a national nonprofi t policy resource center, posted a very timely blog on The Huffi ngton Post pointing out how transit, transit oriented development and smart growth policies are "the proven winners when it comes to creating jobs." He cites federal data showing how transit system building beats highway building — numbers the transportation industry is keenly aware of. U.S. job creation is also a topic of discussion in Contributing Editor Cliff Henke's article, "What Really Helps U.S. Public Transportation Manufacturers?" (Page 62), which explores the new Buy America rules and whether government intervention real- ly does help foster U.S. manufacturing in the transportation sector. TRANSIT GM FEEDBACK This issue also features our annual General Manager Survey (Page 32), wherein we discover that 60% of respondents are not experiencing budgetary issues. This improve- ment over last year's data doesn't mean that funding challenges have dissipated; transit executives (26%) still cite this as their number one day-to-day challenge they are faced with. Dealing with politics came in second, with 16% reporting. In addition to checking in on transit GM salaries and their thoughts on the new transportation bill, we also asked them to weigh in on what traits and skill sets are im- portant to becoming a great transit manager. Being a skilled communicator and politi- cally savvy were some of the characteristics we listed in the "Top 50 Traits of a Great Transit Manager" (Page 42). TOP 100 BUS FLEETS In METRO's exclusive "Top 100 Transit Bus Fleets Survey" (Page 23), transit execu- tives are still trying to fi nd ways to enhance services despite funding and ridership is- sues. Operations report trying to extend the life of their buses, or looking into buying used buses to continue to have vehicles to provide services. They are also looking at al- ternatives to raising fares and cutting services. One agency reported that although they had to cut services, they implemented a three- to fi ve-year plan to reinstate those routes as the economy gradually gets better. HOUSEKEEPING On another note, I will be away from the magazine for a few months, but I'm leav- ing you in the very capable hands of Managing Editor Alex Roman and Senior Editor Nicole Schlosser, who will take up the reins of the magazine until I return. 14 < mETRO mAGAZINE SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2012 Janna Starcic, Executive Editor janna.starcic@ metro-magazine.com "We asked transit GMs to weigh in on what traits and skill sets are important to becoming a great transit manager. Being a skilled communicator and politically savvy were some of the characteristics we listed." metro-magazine.com