Apprehensive-Mode-45 t1_j5mu9ct wrote on January 24, 2023 at 2:53 AM

This whole thing just feels super fishy. I dunno, of course I understand the complications that come from workers calling out. But if workers need to use PFML, they need to use it and they are more than entitled to. The administrator basically saying “it’s my workers’ fault because they are taking time off (they are allowed to take)” ain’t it.

If they really cared to fix it or improve, the WRTA admin would be shouting from the rooftops about what they need (money obviously being one). They aren’t doing that.

Beez_And_Trees t1_j5o5fvs wrote on January 24, 2023 at 11:44 AM

I agree, it’s interesting to me that WRTA said “oh, we technically COULD have subs, but all of our drivers max out on overtime before the end of the week”. Nothing about the excuse had to do with money. So then, couldn’t they just…hire a few more workers?

Apprehensive-Mode-45 t1_j5o9hk2 wrote on January 24, 2023 at 12:29 PM

Right. And listen, they also complained that they are having a tough time finding drivers (although they are not advertising at all.) they say they pay the best of the RTAs, but I found the salary at $41k, which…oof that’s not great.

So they need more money. They are sitting on millions of CARES act money which could be used in some way but they won’t use it and also won’t be clear as to why??

Seems to me if I owned a company that provided a public service, and the service was failing, I’d be screaming from the rooftops for help and find any viable solution rather than pointing my finger at my workers.

tommyverssetti t1_j5ose1d wrote on January 24, 2023 at 3:02 PM

WRTA admin have no interest in improving beyond the status quo.. it took them a year to even advertise fare free

Apprehensive-Mode-45 t1_j5otlnv wrote on January 24, 2023 at 3:10 PM

I know! It makes me so sad. They can’t even do basic things - like promoting their service!

They hired a new marketing person a few months ago and I saw a slight change in their Twitter presence that promoting using the bus.

But that seems to have fallen off again and all we see are canceled buses.

Also, I looked at that marketing role out of curiosity (as a former marketing person), and it was a very bloated job description for like, pretty low salary.

One of two things would happen: they either get 2) someone young out of school who will just use it as a stepping stone and move on quickly or 3) someone with slightly more experience that will burn out quickly and get tired of the BS - and move on

Apprehensive-Mode-45 t1_j5otsau wrote on January 24, 2023 at 3:12 PM

And I know the City doesn’t have power over the WRTA admin in terms of hiring/firing but Jesus, the WRTA needs an admin team the cares about, and dare I say, TAKES the bus.