Susan Brown

More than twenty years ago, Susan accepted her first transit job – as a paratransit operatorParatransit operators are the critical interface to passengers and must appropriately represent MV and its client. The primary responsibility of the paratransit operator is to transport customers while adhering to safety regulations, traffic laws, operating policy, and schedules. Paratransit operators are provided strict training in ADA regulation and are specially trained in passenger handling. for Morro Bay, Calif. Call-A-Ride.   After three years, she transitioned to a school bus operatorSchool bus operators are specially trained and licensed vehicle operators that transport school children on behalf of the school district and/or other educational centers. The primary responsibility of the school bus operator is to transport children while adhering to safety regulations, traffic laws, operating policy, and scheduled time points. for Coast Union School District in Cambria, Calif., but stayed on at Call-A-Ride as a part-time dispatcherThe dispatcher coordinates with vehicle operators while in service in order to monitor operations status, mitigate delays, and assist in resolving service disruptions. This position checks operators in each morning, providing the appropriate vehicle assignment, and performing a fitness for duty assessment. In paratransit operations, the dispatcher often uses computer-aided dispatch systems to enhance this process. and paratransit operatorParatransit operators are the critical interface to passengers and must appropriately represent MV and its client. The primary responsibility of the paratransit operator is to transport customers while adhering to safety regulations, traffic laws, operating policy, and schedules. Paratransit operators are provided strict training in ADA regulation and are specially trained in passenger handling. in Morro Bay, and also worked for CCAT in San Luis Obispo, Calif. as a transit operatorTransit operators are the critical interface to passengers and must appropriately represent MV and its client. The primary responsibility of the transit operator is to transport customers while adhering to safety regulations, traffic laws, operating policy, and scheduled time points. Transit operators are trained in the system’s routes, and must be fluent in providing information regarding major stops, transfer points, and schedule information..  Yes – that means sometimes she had three jobs.

Over a period of twelve years, she worked for three separate contractors – and due to acquisition and mergers, the same company for two separate terms!  And although the contracting entity changed, Susan remained the smiling face of Morro Bay Transit.

When MV was awarded a contract with the City of Morro Bay, the company recognized Susan’s tenure and was impressed with her knowledge of the system and its passengers.  Susan was immediately qualified, hired, and promoted to the role of lead dispatcherThe lead dispatcher serves as the dispatch shift lead, supervising the activities of the dispatch office, monitoring overall service, and acting as the dispatch manager in the absence of this position. This is a working dispatcher position that is typically filled by the most senior dispatcher on shift. – a position she held for four years.  In 2005, when the general managerThe general manager is the daily operational liaison between MV, its client, and its passengers. This position is responsible for the safe and high quality operation of the transit system they manage. This includes safety, training, maintenance, personnel oversight, operating performance, data collection, reporting, community relations, budgeting, accounting and finance, adherence to policy and procedure, and more. position became available, Susan applied and received the promotion.