TriMet TV Episode 28 · Apr. 10, 2009 · 2:28 · Download (24.3MB M4V)

A Day in the Life of a Field Supervisor

At any given time, TriMet field supervisors can be found throughout the transit system, helping to keep buses and trains moving.

Text transcript of this episode

Running a transit system that carries more than 315,000 riders a day is no small task. It takes a team of operations employees to pull it off successfully. And TriMet field supervisors play a critical role.

Field supervisors monitor the day-to-day operation of the bus and rail systems, making sure that our service is safe and reliable. At any given time, they can be found throughout the metro area, keeping operators, and riders, moving.

You might see them at stops and stations, helping riders with questions, like how to use a ticket machine or where to catch the right bus.

Field supervisors also provide support for operators out on the road. They check for fares on board buses and trains, and make sure everyone is following the rules.

When there's a problem with bus service, field supervisors step into action to minimize delays for riders.

They coordinate bus re-routes, set up temporary shuttle buses, and even direct traffic. And they come to the rescue when there's an equipment failure, like a broken farebox or boarding ramp.

Rail field supervisors oversee the operation of MAX trains and systems. If there is a problem with the rail equipment, they're trained to throw switches on the mainline, and flag trains through intersections if necessary.

They also keep track of how many people are riding MAX, so they know when to deploy extra trains, like before and after sporting events.

In the case of an accident or emergency, field supervisors work closely with police and security personnel to investigate.

They carry radios to stay in touch with TriMet's Operations Command Center, so they can respond at a moment's notice to any issue that comes up.

When the weather turns bad, field supervisors patrol the service area in the early morning, looking for conditions that might cause problems for buses and trains.

They look for snow or black ice on the road, or freezing rain on the overhead MAX wires. By the time buses roll out of the garage, field supervisors have determined which ones need to be on snow routes and which ones need to be chained up.

The role of the field supervisor is exciting, and their hands-on work takes them across the Portland area to solve a wide variety of problems.

The next time you see one, remember that they are part of a team of TriMet employees, all working to get you to your destination safely and on time.

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