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 It is hard to believe we have entered the final quarter of 2020. We are welcoming the end of the year with much to be grateful for. The onset of the coronavirus pandemic brought its series of obstacles, but you all rose to the challenge. I want to personally take a moment to thank all of your hard work during this unprecedented time.
Because of you, we were able to continue providing service, often for residents who rely on it most. Now, more than ever, I can honestly say you all embody Palm Tran's mission, which is to provide access to opportunity for everyone; safely, efficiently, and courteously.
Furthermore, I want to personally express gratitude for our frontline workers. You are our heroes, and we do not take what you do for granted. We recently honored you with a special bus wrap. The Frontline Faces Taking You Places bus wrap can be spotted all over Palm Beach County, where it will be seen by hundreds of thousands of people. This was just one small way of expressing appreciation to those who go above and beyond daily.
Palm Tran launched various initiatives to keep safety at the forefront. From installing bus operator safety doors to mandating masks, we implemented and innovated new ways to protect both our riders and bus operators. This was a collaborative effort! I want to thank our Executive Leadership Team (ELT), ATU, SEIU and virtually all staff from various departments who offered mitigating ideas, which ultimately resulted in improved safety measures.
Despite this year's challenges, Palm Tran continued to receive awards from some of the most prestigious organizations in the nation. These included organizations such as the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), Florida Public Transportation Association (FPTA), and the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). When I first joined Palm Tran, I made a commitment to take the organization to the next level. These awards affirm that our efforts in innovation and safety have not gone unnoticed.
Furthermore, Palm Tran remains committed to expanding our Route Performance Maximization (RPM) project. The project, launched in September 2018, resulted in improved efficiency and better customer service. However, the RPM project was always intended to be expanded upon. We continued to build upon the RPM project with our route 62 extension to the beach, which was a huge success! Pending the evolving pandemic, Palm Tran has plans to launch the next phase of the RPM project.
As we enter the holiday season, I would like everyone to celebrate in the safest way possible. Wear your mask, social distance when possible, avoid large gatherings, and wash your hands!
I look forward to seeing Palm Tran thrive in the year 2021!
Happy Holidays!
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Humbly,
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Palm Tran Debuts Susan G. Komen Florida and Frontline Faces Taking You Places Buses
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On October 20, Palm Tran debuted the Susan G. Komen Florida and Frontline Faces Taking You Places buses at the Palm Beach County Governmental Center. County commissioners, County and administrators and Palm Tran staff were on hand for the debut.
The pink Susan G. Komen bus is an annual partnership of Palm Tran, Lamar Transit Advertising and Susan G. Komen Florida. The bus promotes the 30th anniversary of the Race for a Cure. The race will be held virtually on January 30, 2021. The bus debut coincides with Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October).
“We are honored to once again partner with Palm Tran to bring the pink bus to life," said Sean Gross, state executive director Florida for Susan G. Komen. “Access to treatments is a barrier that stands in the way for so many in the fight against breast cancer. Susan G. Komen is dedicated to fighting disparities and creating access to care for all. We are proud that Palm Tran is helping us to create awareness."
Also on display was the Frontline Faces Taking You Places bus. This bus features photos of Palm Tran transit employees who have continued serving the public throughout the pandemic. These employees include: operators of Palm Tran fixed-route buses and Palm Tran Connection and Go Glades vehicles, bus mechanics and road supervisors. The individuals featured on the bus were present for its debut.
Both buses will be seen by the public about 180,000 times every four weeks.
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Palm Tran Launches New Website to Improve Rider Experience
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Transit agency embraces new, user-friendly technology for better communication amidst changes during the pandemic
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Palm Tran: New shelter and bench added at popular beach bus stop
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Palm Tran collaborates with local municipality to improve popular bus stop.
READ MORE HERE
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Palm Tran welcomes new bus operator graduates and honors 20-year employee
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County leadership poses with bus operator graduates: Marvin Alvarez, Verna Baker, Shalona Bennette, Tony Hampton, Molene Innocent, Tammy Jackson, Wallace James, Carlos Martinez, Alfreda McCoy and Neil McPherson
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Palm Tran’s newest class of 10 bus operator graduates celebrated in a socially-distanced ceremony held on Oct. 26, 2020. While the graduates wore masks and socially distanced, the atmosphere remained festive and commemorative.
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Bus Operator J. LaPrice Williams poses with Executive Director Clinton B. Forbes
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In addition to the graduation, Forbes announced Bus Operator J. LaPrice Williams as the recipient of the Bus Operator of the Year Award (3rd place) by the Florida Public Transportation Association (FPTA).
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New technology provides Palm Tran riders touch-free wheelchair securement on buses
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In a matter of seconds, passengers using a wheelchair can safely secure themselves on buses, without the physical assistance of operators. Palm Tran Public Transportation is in the process of installing the QUANTUM system in all fixed-route buses.
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Palm Tran Focuses On Bus Operator Safety by Retrofitting Entire Bus Fleet with Bus Operator Office Doors
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Palm Tran is focusing on bus operator safety during COVID-19 by retrofitting its entire bus fleet with barriers that are affectionately called “bus operator office doors.”
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Palm Tran earns NACo achievement award in transportation for its Go Glades flex service
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The National Association of Counties (NACo) has awarded Palm Tran the Achievement Award in the category of Transportation.
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Palm Tran Recognized by PRSA for Route 62 Beach Extension Promotion
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Palm Tran’s Public Relations Section was recognized by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Sunshine District with two commendations for marketing campaigns that successfully promoted its
Route 62 extension to the beach.
Both campaigns exceeded marketing goals and aided in increasing ridership.
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Palm Tran wins Gold Award in Safety from APTA for PT-Stat Program
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Palm Tran was recently announced as the winner of the 2020 Bus Safety and Security Gold Award from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). The prestigious safety award recognizes bus services with top safety and security programs in North America.
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Palm Tran Connection's pandemic meal service provided long-term nutrition to its senior riders
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As the threat of COVID-19 reached South Florida, Palm Tran Connection, the region’s paratransit provider, implemented multiple new practices to better fit the needs of the community.
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Palm Tran: The Hero's Journey
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A Special Presentation for our Frontline Heroes at Palm Tran during COVID-19
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By: Motivational Speaker Kevin Allen
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On October 21, 2020, Palm Tran hosted a special presentation and training by Kevin Allen. Allen discussed empathy, customer service excellence, how to recover from crises, stress management, branding, ambition and fulfilling your purpose!
If you were unable to attend the virtual special presentation on October 21, 2020, you can still view the video at your leisure:
VIEW THE PRESENTATION HERE |
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 Palm Tran's Social Media Posts
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Follow us on Twitter & Instagram @palm_tran!
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Employee Spotlight:
Barbara J. Matos
Administrative Secretary II
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Tell us about yourself. What do most people not know about you?
I have worked for Palm Tran for eight years and started as a reservationist for our paratransit division before I worked for fixed-route. I am an avid refrigerator magnet collector. I have magnets from all over the world.
You’re known for making Cuban coffee. How did that start?
It started when I was at Connection; a coworker made it for staff every morning. I learned how to make it, and when I moved to this department, I got my own coffee pot, and the rest is history.
What's good about it is that it brings us together, and everybody alternates bringing a block of coffee in. I love it. Everybody comes in. and we chitchat, laugh, and then everybody goes their separate ways. It promotes comradery, and that's what I adore. We're here together for eight hours a day, so let's make the best of it. That's my motto.
Talk about your family background
I was born and raised in New York City. I am a native New Yorker who is of Puerto Rican descent. I am a Latin from Manhattan, Boriqua as they call us. I was married to a doctor, and we had four kids together. We were married for almost 20 years. Through my four kids, I now have ten grandchildren (going on 11, we have a bun in the oven). All their names are here (holds blanket). They call me Magran instead of Granma. Their names are Isaiah, Moriah, Jaedah, Hannah, Judah, Selah, EJ, Nathan, Rose and Xavier. I love spending time with them, and I love being a grandmother because you can spoil their little behinds and then return them to their parents (laughs).
How many children do you have?
I have four children. I had a girl, boy, girl, and then boy. Three of my children live in Florida and of the four, two of them have kids. Of the two that have kids, one has four kids and the other has six.
Wow, so you have two kids that made all of the grandkids?
Yes! I have a son that has no kids and my daughter Lorrin has no children. She says she’ll just spoil her nieces and nephews (laughs).
I love family and promoting our togetherness. Coming up, we always had Sunday dinners when my mother was still alive, and we all lived in New York.
Why did you leave New York?
My sister was living in California so I uprooted my four kids there, and we raised our kids together. I had the four, and she had one kid at the time so we came together, and it was wonderful.
I loved giving my children the experience of living in a different state across the country. Leaving New York with four kids was the best thing because I did not have to bring winter coats or anything. We eliminated two seasons of wardrobe. It was crazy. Having to dress four kids in the wintertime to go outside for five minutes… it took me an hour! You get one all bundled up, and by the time you get to the last one, the first one already took their clothes off.
After I got divorced, we were in California, and I could have gone back to New York, but I chose Florida because my sister was here (I follow her everywhere), and I did not want to go back to the cold!
What do you like to do for fun?
PRAY, EAT, READ and love life to the fullest. Enjoy family and friend time! The beach is my happy place. I could go every single day if possible, weather permitting. I sit on the beach with my book, and I put music in the background. That’s one of my favorite things to do on the planet.
Do you have movies/TV shows you like?
I am a big NCIS fan. I love watching Good Morning America, CNN, etc. I binge-watch Netflix.
What’s your morning routine?
My morning routine is waking up to quiet worship and prayer time for the first 30 minutes of the day, take a shower, brew some coffee and put the news station on to see what is going on in the world. Sometimes it’s good, and sometimes it’s bad, but I’d rather keep abreast of things going on. Then it’s off to work I go.
What motivates you?
God and my family. Surrounding myself with humble genuine people.
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Thank you for your continued, dedicated service to providing high
quality public transportation to Palm Beach County residents and visitors.
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