37. What drives our drivers

SL037 Operators Draft 2

Juliana: 00:00

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of your daily commute?

Ricky: 00:03

Or how transportation impacts the community you call home?

Juliana: 00:06

Maybe you want to explore outside your community and don't know where to start.

Ricky: 00:10

Well, you're in luck because this is where you hop on.

Juliana: 00:13

I'm Julianna Vazquez-Keating.

Ricky: 00:14

And I'm Ricky Tejada.

Juliana: 00:16

We work for Valley Metro and together we'll discover all the ways that public transit enhances lives across the cities we serve.

Ricky: 00:23

And we might even make some new friends along the way.

Juliana: 00:26

Welcome to Storylines. On this episode of Storylines, we're highlighting some of the folks who transport our tens of thousands of riders each and every day.

Ricky: 00:37

From buses to streetcar and light rail, our operators are critical to our mission of connecting communities and enhancing lives. In my role, I'm fortunate enough to interact with some of our amazing light rail and streetcar operators daily. But I don't always have the opportunity to connect with bus operators as often.

Juliana: 00:54

Well, Ricky, you're in luck, because we got to chat with one of our East Valley bus operators about what it's like to get behind the wheel of a Valley Metro bus every day.

Jesus: 01:05

My name is Jesus Valencia, title is operator and I've been here since February of this year.

Ricky: 01:14

Nice, Jesus. And why did you choose to become an operator?

Jesus: 01:17

At first, it was because I was a truck driver, and I wanted to stay in the city. I was tired of being out. And I wanted to look for something that would definitely not take me out of the city at all. And this is why I am here. So I go home to my wife every day and my daughter, and that's wonderful.

Juliana: 01:46

You like to drive, but you want to stay in town.

Jesus: 01:49

Yes, yes, being over the road was nice. I got to see all of the country, which is a beautiful country, what we have here. But then I started missing my wife and I just couldn't stay away from her. She's stuck with me over 24 years.

Juliana: 02:07

I'm sure she loves to have you home.

Jesus: 02:09

Yes, especially because I bother her and she gets to, you know, that, no, but, not only do I love my wife, but I like her. So, so we get along great. That’s the only way I can explain it.

Juliana: 02:24

That's awesome. So what route or routes do you normally operate?

Jesus: 02:28

When I first started driving, I was doing the 112, which is the Arizona and Country Club going southbound northbound. And then I was doing the 40. And then now I am doing the 112. I do also the 108, the 156, the 45 and the 61. So It's a little bit more diverse.

Ricky: 02:54

So I'm very familiar with that o112 route. I used to live right off of Arizona Avenue.

Jesus: 02:58

Ricky: 02:59

That bus used to pass by the front of my house every day.

Jesus: 03:02

Yeah.

Ricky: 03:05

Great to hear that you're on all these different bus routes. Now, what's your favorite part of the job?

Jesus: 03:10

People. The people. The favorite part is the people because when they get in the bus, they expect to, you know, go In the morning, people that want to go to work, they're going to work, and then in the afternoon, they're going home. When I was doing in the evening, the route, I kind of like felt like a father with a car full of kids in the back when they were coming back from work, and everybody was talking. You know, it just, it felt really nice. I don't know. I kind of, I've been driving and all of a sudden it's like, I feel like a father, you know, it's like taking the kids, because everybody was tired but happy and they were going home. That was it, and in the morning they're a little quiet because they're going to work, but they’re nice. That's what I like about the job, the people aspect.

Juliana: 03:59

You're keeping everyone safe.

Jesus: 04:02

I do my best. We have to be aware of what we're transporting, we're transporting uncles, grandmothers, fathers, daughters, so we're transporting family to and from, so we have to be very aware by looking forward, looking around, checking those mirrors constantly, not just checking to check, but really observing because anything that you can do to avoid any type of accident is good. Because everybody wants to go from A to B, you know, they don't want to be stuck there with a police report or, because you didn't look at that bicycle that wanted to pass you on the right and you went into the stop, and you didn't see him, or that scooter, which are now in downtown Tempe, very popular, and they're all over the place. You have to be very, very aware of your surroundings and not be in a hurry. One of the instructors here said we get paid by the minute. Which basically means slow down. Look, don't be in a hurry. Don't try to hurry because then you make mistakes.

Juliana: 05:10

Yeah, that's such a good lesson.

Jesus: 05:13

Yeah, and then Larry says you have to be a smooth operator.

Juliana: 05:19

I love that.

Jesus: 05:20

And at first I thought because you had to hit the brakes slowly, you know? But then later on, like two weeks later, I figured out smooth operator. He meant that you have to relax, you have to take everything smooth, you know? So you stop your bus, and you're a smooth operator when you open your door, because when you're gonna let somebody in the wheelchair, you can't forget the steps. You have to be, you know, do everything smoothly, because they're gonna, board the bus. So you have to hit the button to release the ramp. And if you forget steps, because you're in a hurry, then you start, being clumsy and it's no good for nobody.

Juliana: 05:59

You're totally right. So, what's one thing about your job that you want people to know about that they may not know about?

Jesus: 06:08

That we have a timeframe to go from one end of a route to the other. And we have to do that in a specific time and sometimes they're in a hurry, we have to be, at certain locations at a certain time. Because we can't miss people. You can't be ahead of time. Because if you're ahead of time, then you might miss that one person that is going to work. Or is going to school. Or is going to meet somebody.

Ricky: 06:37

And do you have a favorite stop? I know you said you used to drive the 112 and the 40, is there a favorite stop that you'd like the listeners to know about?

Jesus: 06:50

Long time ago, I read this book, and this philosopher before Socrates, and he said, you may cross the same river many times, but you will never cross the same waters. So, every time you go to a stop, it's basically, even though you've stopped there many times, it's not the same stop all the time, because there's different people boarding the bus. So, a favorite spot? No, I haven't gotten attached to them yet.

Ricky: 07:22

You don't have somewhere you stop for lunch, you know?

Juliana: 07:25

Yeah.

Jesus: 07:26

Yeah I guess I should answer like a kid, huh? My favorite stop is the one where I stop to have lunch. But every time you go by the same spot, it's never the same people, never the same attitude. It's always different. Even though to a lot of people, they might think that we're doing the same thing all day long. We're not, because we're not seeing the same people, on a stop to stop basis. That's my, take of it.

Juliana: 07:57

Well, do you have a favorite route? I know you do, drive several routes, correct?

Jesus: 08:02

Yes, I guess I've gotten attached to the 112 and I'll tell you why, because when in the morning I wake up early today I don't get hungry in the morning anymore. I used to, but not anymore. But what happens is my wife will take me my breakfast to the Chandler PNR and so I guess the Chandler PNR has become my favorite. Because my wife will take me to breakfast at 8 or 9 o'clock in the morning.

Juliana: 08:33

That's a great reason.

Jesus: 08:36

And that's, why the 112 has become my favorite, I guess, in that sense.

Ricky: 08:40

There you go. we found your favorite stop. The Chandler Park and Ride.

Juliana: 08:43

Yeah. There you go. I actually love that Park and Ride. I love that Park and Ride because that's my Park and Ride, so I agree.

Jesus: 08:52

That's why I like it.

Ricky: 08:53

That's very nice to hear. We do consider ourselves here at Valley Metro one big family. It's very nice to hear that you get to spend that time with your wife to have breakfast. You know, while you do take a little break to then be able to focus and bring our passengers from point A to point B, in a, safe and, and

Jesus: 09:09

Timely manner.

Ricky: 09:11

Yeah.

Juliana: 09:12

And a full stomach.

Ricky: 09:14

Yeah.

Jesus: 09:14

*smacking noises* And this you can't, you know, I mean, thank God you can't see it, but yeah, it takes, it takes a bit to get it full.

Juliana: 09:27

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Jesus: 09:30

That I really like working here. seriously, I really like working here. there's a lot of resources. For example, when you, ask the other operators a question, they're more than happy to give you a correct answer. Like, I've gone to other places where you'll ask a question and they're more than eager to give you the wrong answer so you can make a mistake. And here, you don't have that. You'll ask a question to any operator and they'll try to help you out, you know, sincerely. Then, they joke around with you. But you also have, the resources of the supervisors. You have the resources of the dispatchers. The OCC. You're not alone out there, it's like have this big old team that supports you whenever you need anything, your tire goes flat. You can just pick up the phone and they either bring you a new bus, or they'll change the tire for you. You know, It's nice to be able to know that they have your back for you. Like I used to drive and if I had a flat tire in the middle of nowhere, I had to do stuff for myself to get that fixed. And here, it's very nice to be able to pick up the phone. And have a mechanic go out there, or if you that there's something wrong, you can always go to the mechanics and they'll say, yeah, yeah, this is good, or they'll say, you know what, take another bus. So, you have a whole big old team supporting you.

Juliana: 10:55

I think that's one of our strengths is that we all support each other and we're all there for each other. That's one thing that I've noticed since I've been here.

Jesus: 11:03

Yes, that's one of the things that I, tell my wife, I was like, I like it there because of all the support that you have from everybody.

Ricky: 11:12

Juliana, it's great to have people like Jesus on our team. It's clear he really enjoys being an operator and interacting with so many people on a daily basis.

Juliana: 11:22

I think operators like Jesus are such an important part of the rider experience, and it sounds like he provides a great one.

Ricky: 11:29

Totally agree. Now that we've heard what it's like to operate a bus, let's hear more about what it's like to be in the driver's seat of the Valley Metro Streetcar.

Sami: 11:37

My name is Sam Haddad and my title, I drive the light rail and I've been doing this for 26 years in total.

Ricky: 11:49

Now, why did you choose to become an operator, Sami?

Sami: 11:53

I wanted to drive the train. You know, I always see the trains go by my house when I used to live in Jersey, the Union Pacific. I always thought it was neat to be in something like that.

Ricky: 12:06

Nice. And you said before you became an operator, since you've been in transit for about 26 years, what did you do before becoming a train operator?

Sami: 12:13

I used to work for the city of Phoenix. I used to drive the city bus. And I did that for many, many years. Before we came over when they built this light rail in 2008.

Juliana: 12:23

Nice. So, what was light rail like when you first started becoming a light rail operator and how do you think it's changed over the years?

Sami: 12:31

Definitely expanded a lot. We used to have a lot of people in general, and I, you know, carrying more people compared to driving a city bus. It's just amazing, to actually drive a light rail. I enjoy it a lot.

Ricky: 12:46

So we know you used to drive the light rail. Now you drive the streetcar. So, what's the big difference between driving or operating the light rail versus the streetcar?

Sami: 12:59

The difference is you're panning down and panning up all the time. Where the main line you're constantly on just power, You're going back and forth on OCS lines where on the streetcar you go from power to battery operation, That's the two difference and it's a little bit smaller compared to the mainline.

Ricky: 13:19

I think a big one that we can hit on is the right of way, right? For the light rail, you have your dedicated, you know, median for that.

Sami: 13:27

Right. as far as the, yeah, dedication on the light rail on the mainline, where on a streetcar, you're actually driving with the cars.

Ricky: 13:37

Does that scare you at all?

Sami: 13:38

Sometimes because you never know what to expect in front of you. You have people cutting you off, stopping short. all kinds of stuff happens on that line. Especially when the students come back, you have so much traffic where, you know, people are moving in. And they realize how we have a streetcar in the middle of the street. They don't understand that until they start seeing it in right in front of them.

Ricky: 14:02

And after that it's too late.

Sami: 14:04

Yes, exactly.

Juliana: 14:04

Yeah. So, you have to bring that extra awareness with you when you're, operating a streetcar.

Sami: 14:09

A hundred percent. Yeah. You have to always be visual and expect the unexpected because you don't know what can happen in front of you. It could be a matter of seconds.

Juliana: 14:18

And I'm guessing during the school year, there's just a lot of foot traffic, especially like on Mill Avenue. So you got, you have to be on the lookout.

Sami: 14:25

Yes, for the students, they cross in front of us. Also pedestrians too, you know, they don't realize that the streetcar goes across and they just walk in front of you not knowing because they're doing it normally, on a normal basis.

Juliana: 14:41

So, what is your favorite part of the job?

Sami: 14:44

Intertwining with people. I love people. I love talking to them. I love seeing, you know, kids get on the train because they're so excited. Especially when we have families you know, you see the little kids getting on and that makes my day. I see a smiley face all the time. And also the students, when they come on, they appreciate, when I, tell them good morning and speak to them and tell them, like certain stops where they are.

Ricky: 15:11

Yeah. So one cool fact about Sammy. Now, I don't know if you do this a lot on the streetcar, which I think you still do, but tell us what you do before you're getting to a stop, either on the light rail line or the streetcar. What is it that you personally do?

Sami: 15:29

I tell them good morning, when they get on the streetcar and when they get off the streetcar, I tell them have a wonderful day every single day.

Ricky: 15:38

And before we get to the stops?

Sami: 15:40

I make announcements on the certain stops that they, whatever it is, it could say, there'll be Domino's pizzeria or something.

Ricky: 15:47

Okay. The first time I got on Sami's train, I thought it was awesome because you're so used to hearing the automated voice tell you, the next stop is this. And Sami he actually, he overrides that. And he'll tell you, hey, the next stop is this. And to your right, you can find this. To your left, you can find this. And I think it's a great personal touch, Sami. I think it's something that makes people want to come back ride your train because you actually give that like personal, touch to it.

Sami: 16:15

Yeah, I try to make them feel comfortable. Like, you know, this way they don't have to feel that they're in a somewhere different and it's easy for them to know and remember. what you tell them. Sometimes people forget what the next stop is and they're talking to their friends and they're like, Oh, wow. This is where I need to get off.

Juliana: 16:34

And I think seeing a friendly face, having a friendly voice, just that could be the only person you talk to all day or something that could make somebody's day.

Sami: 16:42

Oh, definitely. Yeah. Oh, it makes my day when I see them. And even when they thank me all the time, that, that makes me feel good that I really actually did my job.

Juliana: 16:50

And I can tell you that we have had comments on social media saying we love Sami! Like he's the best and just because you put that personal touch. So our riders love you.

Sami: 17:01

I appreciate that. I really do. Cause that's what I love. I love seeing the people happy when they come on my train. You know, it's all about, you know, the people, cause that's what we do. Carry people back and forth.

Ricky: 17:12

Definitely.

Sami: 17:14

And our job is to make it comfortable for them.

Ricky: 17:17

Let's see. I mean, what's one thing about your job that you want people to know?

Sami: 17:23

How safety wise, I want them to understand that, you know being inside the train you got to be careful what you're when you're walking in front of that train. I don't want to hurt, anybody , I want them to be safe at all times because, you know, I want to see them the next day. I don't want them to get hurt these trains are very, very dangerous. They're not light, they're very heavy, they're hard to stop, especially on the dime. You can't, it's impossible. I just want them to be safe at all times. Just so we can protect them and see them the next day. Because we want to see people especially the same people that we see every day, you know, that we carry. They go to work, come back home, and they ride it for fun downtown, to events. You know, that's the most important thing.

Ricky: 18:10

Safety is our number one rule.

Juliana: 18:12

And safety is everyone's job as we like to say.

Sami: 18:16

That's right,

Ricky: 18:17

We're only as safe as me.

Sami: 18:19

That's right. You know, if we could keep them safe, they can understand that.

Juliana: 18:24

So do you have a favorite stop on the streetcar route?

Sami: 18:27

There's a lot of actually stops, I think ASU Gammage, cause like to see that, cause they got the, you know, where they show the shows there. And then the museum too was pretty cool. there's a trophy out there that has the Super Bowl trophy. I think yeah, it's pretty cool. I get to see it every day.

Ricky: 18:46

I never knew about the ASU Art Museum until Sammy started saying it on the streetcar route. Learning about the area, you know, Sammy has a lot of rich history. He's been an operator for more than 15 years, 26 years total. I'm pretty sure that you've seen, places go up and seen places go down.

Sami: 19:02

Yeah, exactly.

Ricky: 19:03

And just having that, knowledge base in those areas, I think you do us a really great service. Sami,

Sami: 19:09

I appreciate that. Thank you.

Ricky: 19:11

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Sami: 19:14

I love all the people that come on the train. get to see their faces all the time and we have some excellent, excellent passengers. They're really thankful for what we do. And they're thanking me all the time for, you know, getting them safe there. that's why I want to thank all the passengers too, for thanking me all the time. It makes me feel good that I'm actually doing my job.

Juliana: 19:36

It's amazing to hear from someone who's been with Valley Metro Rail since the very beginning.

Ricky: 19:43

And Sami's not the only one. We have several veteran light rail operators still riding the rails today. Some have moved up in Valley Metro and now work alongside me in the Operations Department.

Juliana: 20:54

That's it for this episode of Storylines. Remember to subscribe to us on your podcast app of choice so you never miss an episode.

Ricky: 20:01

For Valley Metro, I'm Ricky.

Juliana: 20:03

I'm Juliana.

Ricky: 20:05

Thanks for riding with us.

Juliana: 20:06

We'll meet you at the next stop.

Juliana: 20:07

Storylines is produced by Alex Tsotsos. Peter Corkery is the executive producer. For Ricky Tejada, I'm Julianna Vazquez-Keating, thanks for listening