APTA: Workforce shortage prompts service cuts

By Grace Renderman, Associate Editor

The ongoing workforce shortage in the North American transit industry is both widespread and severe, according to a study released in October by the American Public Transportation Association.

Ninety-six percent of U.S. transit agencies surveyed reported a worker shortage. And 84% of those agencies say the shortfall is affecting their ability to provide adequate service, leading to reduced operations on some routes and suspended service on others.

Although the lack of workers is most intensely felt at the nation’s largest agencies, the study found that the shortage is forcing service reductions regardless of agency size, APTA officials say. Governments at all levels should be supporting agencies by implementing transit workforce development programs, such as those that pay for CDL training for transit operators, and employment pipelines could be created through partnerships with local and state educational institutions, the study states.

The aging transit workforce is also a concern, the study found. Agencies likely will experience a higher rate of retirements in the foreseeable future, with retirees representing nearly a quarter of all workers who depart. The situation is more acute at rural transit agencies, where 34% of departing employees are retirees, the study states. 

Exploring retention strategies 

The study is intended to build a framework for APTA members to implement best practices for employee recruitment and retention. The association recommends increasing overall compensation — not just wages — including providing better benefits packages or worker housing. In addition, agencies could provide their workers more flexible hours because one of the most frequent factors that led workers to quit was shift scheduling.

Other recommendations include simplifying the hiring process, improving workplace culture, establishing advancement and professional growth pathways, and creating employee recognition and internship programs.

“Some of the factors driving the transit worker shortage are long term and unlikely to reverse themselves in the near future. Therefore, agencies should invest in their hiring and recruiting capacities,” the study states.

COVID-19 was not found to be one of the top reasons workers are leaving agencies. Concerns about scheduling and compensation were cited more than assault, harassment or getting sick.

But where do departing employees tend to go? Nearly half took jobs outside of the transit industry altogether, more than those who retired or left the workforce combined. Agencies will also have to work harder to fill those vacancies — rules about drug and alcohol testing, CDL requirements, criminal background checks and driving records exclude otherwise qualified applicants, the study states.

“The post-COVID-19 economic recovery has been characterized by low unemployment and high job churn, meaning that agencies face more competition for the same pool of potential workers,” APTA officials say in the study.