When getting on and off a Metro Transit bus, passengers regularly meet and greet the drivers behind the wheel. They never meet the corps of dedicated workers behind the scenes who keep the fleet running and on the road.
This week, some of those mechanics got a chance to be front and center at the annual Metro Transit Bus Maintenance Roadeo. The event, held at the North Loop Garage, put teams of three mechanics in a friendly but intense competition with their counterparts to demonstrate their superior skills.
The teams came from the five Metro Transit garages. The Roadeo requires them to work together to diagnose and solve issues on bus systems including vehicle inspection, engine and transmission, vapor door, air brakes, HVAC, Dinex systems, and a written test.
“They get to show off their skills,” said Emily Bollensen, Metro Transit acting assistant director, bus maintenance-operational initiatives. “All the stations are set up with flaws or bugs and they have to find them, using computers and diagnostics. They are timed and the more bugs they find, the higher they score.”
The problem-solving day emphasizes teamwork, good communication and relying on the different strengths and experiences of the individual mechanics.
“They bring their talent and demonstrate that they can rely on each other. That’s the same with their everyday work,” said Abel Mumbi, director of bus maintenance. “They learn from each other and improve. At the end they become better mechanics.”
The team of veteran Metro Transit mechanics Nigel McClain, Peter Massaquoi and Rocky Richardson were put through their paces at the stations.
“Normally I work on the bus heating and cooling systems. This makes sure I know the answers to other questions. This is quite challenging,” said McClain.
“We’re checking our skills to diagnose and repair; you want to do that as quickly as possible and as safely as possible. You want to make a reliable repair,” explained Richardson. “Sometimes you run across problems you don’t see day to day. It gives you an honest estimate of your weaker areas so you can improve.”
In the end the team of Dan Aasen, Ravie Sawh and Thomas Mitchell prevailed. In addition to bragging rights, the trio that represented the Heywood Garage won an oversized wrench as a trophy for taking first place in the Metro Transit Roadeo. They also won the right to represent Metro Transit at the national Bus Maintenance Roadeo competition to be held in Portland, Ore. next spring.
Currently Metro Transit employs about 350 mechanics, but the system is operating beneath full employment. Metro Transit is recruiting and would like to find an additional 80 mechanics to work on buses and light rail trains to fill its ranks.
“I would encourage anyone to give it a shot. It’s a wonderful job. We have the best of pay and the team is wonderful,” said mechanic Peter Massaquoi. ”The benefits are great. I’m happy. My family is happy!”