Members of the tour are escorted toward the North Base maintenance yard.
It’s not often that non-SamTrans employees get a chance to see the inner workings of the transit agency’s largest bus yard, known as North Base. But as a special Transit Month treat, SamTrans offered a first-of-its-kind tour that filled up soon after it was announced on social media.
"We were shocked at how quickly the tour filled up," said SamTrans Digital Communications Specialist Jamie Vizmanos who organized the event. "Everyone involved expressed how much they enjoyed it and said they learned a lot, some even interested in the potential career opportunities. We’re hoping to host more tours in the future."
The event included a walk around North Base that included a look at some of the areas where the agency will add facilities for handling hydrogen fuel-cell technology to power its new generation of electric buses (called FCEBs). The group also got a look at the yard’s radio control, dispatch, maintenance facilities and cleaning bays. But, for many, the highlight of the tour was a look inside the high-tech bus simulator that operators use to practice extreme circumstances they may face on local roadways.
SamTrans General Manager/CEO April Chan also met with up with the group at the district’s San Carlos headquarters. She welcomed them to the tour and thanked them for their transit enthusiasm.
SamTrans General Manager/CEO April Chan receives Woman of the Year Award at Bay Area WTS ceremony.
Just one day earlier, Chan was named Transit Woman of the Year by the Bay Area Chapter of WTS, an organization focused on helping to advance women in the transportation industry.
At the ceremony held in Oakland, Chan said, “this recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire SamTrans team.” She also thanked all the women who are making a difference in the transportation industry.
Chan is front and center at a gathering in Palo Alto of the Bay Area's top transit executives.
At the end of that same week, Chan joined other leaders of the Bay Area’s transit agencies at Palo Alto Transit Center.
The GMs of SamTrans, Caltrain, BART, VTA, SF Muni, AC Transit, SF Bay Ferry, County Connection, and LAVTA all rode Caltrain from Palo Alto to Millbrae, enjoying a Happy Hour together and speaking with riders along the way.
Each GM made their way to Palo Alto using various forms of transit. In Chan’s case, her ride included a SamTrans bus on the ECR route.
“I think it’s really crucial to understanding what our riders are experiencing,” Chan said regarding the importance of taking transit herself. “Boarding a bus helps me see firsthand whether our system is convenient and safe, and whether passengers have access to the amenities they need to support their ride.”
SamTrans also celebrated Transit Month by testing the trivia knowledge of our riders via our social media accounts. Over the course of a week, we selected five winners and rewarded each with a free bus ride, a SamTrans reusable grocery bag, and a $25 Trader Joe’s gift card.
The events and participation levels for Bay Area Transit Month continue to grow annually. We here at SamTrans are excited about this trend and look forward to seeing what future celebrations may bring.