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Beez_And_Trees t1_j5o56qi wrote

I feel like there is a pretty simple solution to this, right? Just hire more drivers, perhaps drivers that are on-call only (or mostly) but in return are paid more? Now obviously that would need funding. I don’t know how well WRTA is doing with that so perhaps they just don’t have the money (although that is not what they claimed the problem is, according to the article).

That last quote is right; I too find it hard to believe there simply just isn’t a way to find subs for drivers.

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WooNoto t1_j5nb4z2 wrote

Yes, let’s make public transport worse in a growing city. Piss of

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A_Man_Who_Writes t1_j5nnegb wrote

Worcester has a chance to set the example for a growing city in the northeast. Don’t muff it up guys. Public transit is already miserable in this country.

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Apprehensive-Mode-45 t1_j5mu9ct wrote

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.

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Beez_And_Trees t1_j5o5fvs wrote

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?

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Apprehensive-Mode-45 t1_j5o9hk2 wrote

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.

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tommyverssetti t1_j5ose1d wrote

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

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Apprehensive-Mode-45 t1_j5otlnv wrote

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

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Apprehensive-Mode-45 t1_j5otsau wrote

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.

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legalpretzel t1_j5lqu55 wrote

Of course they are. So many reasons to cut routes and they never bring them back.

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Robespierrexvii t1_j5oyjsj wrote

AH yes this is definitely something that is indicative of an "up and coming" city.

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moisheah t1_j5p7pf4 wrote

Pay bonuses to those willing to cover needed shifts. Iirc employers do have options regarding FMLA/pFMLA if there are patterns that suggest abuse.

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