Transit Talks is back, this time with our Chief Operating Officer Brian Balogh! Every quarter, our Transit Talks series features the knowledge and expertise of our leadership team on hot topics such as sustainability, safety, and more. This quarter’s topic? MTM Transit’s goals for 2024. We sat down with Brian to get his thoughts on our goals and initiatives for this year!
What are MTM Transit’s top goals and priorities for 2024?
Delivering exceptional service at an unbeatable value while prioritizing safety is always our number one goal, no matter the year. Our journey toward continued success demands a dedication to certain fundamental principles and priorities, including:
- Championing a Culture of Safety: Safety isn’t just a priority; it’s our ethos. Nothing we do is worth doing if it can’t be done safely. Through rigorous training and innovative awareness campaigns, we forge a culture where every action is a testament to our commitment to accident and incident prevention.
- Fostering Collaborative Partnerships: Our relationships with clients aren’t just transactions; they’re partnerships built on mutual success. By immersing ourselves in the communities we serve, we cultivate an intimate understanding of local needs, aspirations, and strategies, ensuring our collective prosperity.
- Embracing Organic Growth: The exponential growth of MTM Transit in the last five years speaks volumes about our unwavering dedication to excellence. As we continue to grow organically, both in size and stature, we remain steadfast in our commitment to nurturing existing relationships while actively seeking out new partnership opportunities. This growth not only translates into more job opportunities within our organization, but also heralds the rise of new leaders through comprehensive training programs.
- Harnessing the Power of Technology: Our relentless pursuit of innovation isn’t just about staying ahead; it’s about transforming the passenger experience. From our groundbreaking Mobility Direct paratransit eligibility platform to pioneering technological solutions, we’re not just embracing change; we’re driving it, ensuring a seamless and enriching journey for all.
- Pioneering Sustainable Practices: As stewards of the environment, we recognize the importance of treading lightly on the planet. That’s why we’re doubling down on our commitment to sustainability by transitioning a significant portion of our fleet to alternative fuel vehicles and embracing eco-friendly practices like solar energy, LED lighting, and digital documentation.
What is the importance of setting goals and initiatives?
Setting goals and initiatives serves as our compass in an ever-evolving landscape of challenges and opportunities. While acknowledging the foundation of past achievements is vital, it’s the forward-thinking vision that propels us toward realizing our fullest potential. At MTM Transit, we are fortunate to have not only a number of incredibly talented industry veterans that lead our day-to-day operations; we are also lucky to have an exceptional relationship with the leaders of our MTM business segment. Those include our technology, maintenance, safety, marketing and sales, human resources, and our executive leadership teams. Our collective synergy fuels our aspirations.
With a clear vision of what lies on the horizon, we dare to set audacious goals. These goals aren’t just lofty aspirations; they’re meticulously crafted roadmaps charting our course toward excellence. But setting goals is just the beginning; it’s the unwavering commitment of our entire team that transforms vision into reality. Through meticulous measurement and transparent reporting, we not only track our progress but also glean invaluable insights to fine-tune our strategies and overcome hurdles along the way. It’s this relentless pursuit of excellence, fueled by a shared vision and fortified by unwavering dedication, that propels us toward success.
Name one major key initiative for the company?
Growth. While growth in day-to-day operations is crucial, expansion in size is equally essential. However, the challenge lies in finding and retaining exceptional drivers, mechanics, managers, and support staff—a nationwide predicament within our industry.
To address this challenge, we’ve adopted a multifaceted approach, marked by ingenuity and innovation, in both recruitment and retention strategies. Despite wage dynamics in recent years, we’re proud to affirm our proactive stance in meeting, and often surpassing, the standards of a living wage. After all, the quality of our service is inherently tied to the caliber of those who deliver it. Central to this initiative is the recognition that our most valuable assets are our people. Our focus remains steadfast on sourcing top talent, providing comprehensive training programs, and offering unparalleled support to nurture and empower our workforce.
How does MTM Transit’s leadership team help accomplish these goals?
MTM Transit’s leadership team plays a pivotal role in translating aspirations into tangible achievements. Through their guidance, support, and unwavering commitment, our teams are empowered to navigate the path toward success with clarity and confidence. At the outset, our leaders spearhead the process of goal definition, ensuring that objectives have clarity and purpose. By fostering a shared understanding of the overarching vision, they ignite a collective sense of purpose that motivates teams toward a common goal.
Moreover, our leadership team establishes robust processes for measuring and tracking goals, providing a structured framework within which our efforts are evaluated and refined. This cadence of progress instills a sense of accountability and momentum, propelling us ever closer to our desired outcomes. Our leaders are committed to transparency, whether its celebrating victories or confronting challenges head-on. By fostering a culture of open communication and sharing results—both triumphs and setbacks—they cultivate an environment where lessons are learned, insights are gleaned, and collective wisdom is harnessed for continuous improvement.
