An analysis of California transit employees found a high rate of burnout among operators who face unpredictable work schedules, high housing costs, and occasional violence.
A new report from UCLA's Institute for Transportation Studies highlights the causes of the persistent labor shortage in public transit at agencies across California.
As Melanie Curry explains in Streetsblog California, the report finds that while better pay is an important factor for attracting and retaining transit workers, other obstacles include “a culture of exhaustion, burnout, and physical injuries” perpetuated by “understaffing, unpredictable and complicated scheduling practices, overtime requirements, long commutes, and too-short, sometimes rare breaks.”
The report notes that part of the problem stems from “the divide between operations vs capital funding,” which makes it easier for agencies to access capital funding — for building new lines or buying equipment — than operational funding, which supports worker wages and maintenance costs.
The report’s authors suggest changes such as streamlining hiring practices, reducing split shifts, providing bathrooms and bathroom breaks for workers, and limiting fare enforcement duties for operators.
FULL STORY: To Recruit Transit Workers, More Than Higher Pay Is Needed
Detroit Transit Agency Requests $20M Budget Increase
The Detroit Department of Transportation wants to boost ridership by hiring more drivers, buying new buses, and enhancing station infrastructure.
Philadelphia Tests Bulletproof Enclosures for Bus Drivers in Wake of Fatal Shooting
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FTA Directive Addresses Violence Against Transit Workers
Verbal and physical assaults against transit operators have grown alarmingly in the last decade.
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Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Greening Oakland’s School Grounds
With help from community partners like the Trust for Public Land, Oakland Unified School District is turning barren, asphalt-covered schoolyards into vibrant, green spaces that support outdoor learning, play, and student well-being.
California Governor Suspends CEQA Reviews for Utilities in Fire Areas
Utility restoration efforts in areas affected by the January wildfires in Los Angeles will be exempt from environmental regulations to speed up the rebuilding of essential infrastructure.
Native American Communities Prepare to Lead on Environmental Stewardship
In the face of federal threats to public lands and conservation efforts, indigenous groups continue to model nature-centered conservation efforts.
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