Policy Analyst
Policy Department

What are your primary job responsibilities?
I research and write reports about issues affecting the public transportation industry. For example, a couple of recent ones were on how public transit affects and boosts our economy and how transit agencies can improve their operations. I produce the quarterly ridership report and other yearly reports about public transit agency facts and figures on vehicles, fare structures, and infrastructure. And I respond to research requests from APTA staff, APTA members, and the public.

Do you have direct contact with APTA members? If so, please talk about the two most recent times you’ve helped out a member.
Working with members is an exciting part of my job. Requests for information or research from members help me learn more about the industry every day. These inquiries also help direct us when we go to review what we should be collecting as part of our various statistical reports. Most of the time it’s pretty simple stuff. But overall it’s fulfilling trying to help members find information that might be hidden that will help them do their jobs better.

Many public transit agency members want to know how their system fits in with the bigger picture of the industry. We help them find information on comparable systems that we’ve collected for our statistical reports and find the comparisons and patterns that make sense. Recently I’ve had people looking for information on what other agencies are doing on providing service—such as, what kind of standards do those agencies have for how much service they should provide at any given time, given how many passengers ride their buses.

What initiatives, projects, or programs have you worked on at APTA that you have taken particular pride in completing?
I enjoy doing the quarterly ridership report because we get press on it, so I feel as if it’s something people see. That’s a point of pride and it gives me a sense that I’ve contributed something important. I like producing something that goes out to the public—no matter what the topic is—and I find that fulfilling because you feel like people are paying attention to the documents we produce. When I see a number quoted in a major newspaper and I’m the one who pulled all that information together, it gives me a boost.

How did you “land” at APTA?
I was a geography major in college and I was searching for jobs that had something geography-related in them. This job popped up and it seemed interesting. I’d studied urban geography and had done some research about public transit, so I applied for it. I enjoyed school and the learning opportunities that came with it, and a research position with APTA seemed like a perfect fit and a good cause to contribute to.

How long have you worked here? Nearly 4 years next month.

What professional affiliations do you have?
Young Professionals in Transportation.

Could you tell us something about yourself that might surprise us?
I am originally from a very small town in Maine (population 1,800), but I love city living. I try to get out as much as possible to experience the variety our city has to offer; cultural events, museums, the theater, and food.

Since coming to APTA, I’m now considered the public transit expert by my friends. They all live in DC and take transit all the time and are always asking me questions about anything transit-related.

I’m an avid bicyclist and ride for both transportation and fun. I bike to work (a short trip) and on the weekends (much longer trips). I usually ride around 60 miles a week when it’s nice and have completed a couple century rides (100+ miles).


Make sure you see Matt Dickens' video, now that you've read this!