Across the organization, our work has been changed by the COVID-19 pandemic. These "In This Together" Q&As illustrate how we're adapting both on and off the clock. Read more interviews here.
How has the pandemic changed your day-to-day work?
At the start of the pandemic, we had a few employees who were out for an extended period so the rest of us pulled together to cover their shifts. On top of that, the civil unrest meant we all had to work together with our partners in Street Operations and at the Rail Control Center to keep service running as well as we could for the people who needed it. Even though we have fewer buses running now, the TCC is still a busy place.
What's it like working through the pandemic?
With so many people out of work, I'm thankful we're here and providing an essential service. Due to the nature of our work, we have to come in and I actually enjoy that because I like being with my co-workers. I've been a dispatcher for more than 15 years, first at Minneapolis 911 and now at Metro Transit. What I've always enjoyed most is our ability to come together and help each other out. I think that's a unique function of dispatch and the TCC. Between detours for protests, weather events and other events that pop up, it can get hectic at any moment. Knowing I have a group of people around me who I can depend on means the world to me.
How has your life changed outside of work?
Outside of work, things have changed a lot. I have two children – a first-grader and a teenager – who have been distance learning since March and miss interacting with their friends. Being at home with mom all day isn't as fun. My partner works for the Met Council and is also working on site. It's nice that we have adult interaction outside of the home. This summer, we saw family at socially distant picnics but as the weather has become colder we've had more Zoom family time. We're looking forward to being together again and are spending a lot of time dreaming of all the places we want to go!