The Center for International Trade and Transportation is excited to announce that the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has published new research from CITT Executive Director Tyler Reeb and Project Manager James Reuter on the statewide transit operator shortage. California’s public transit systems face a persistent shortage of transit operators that is undermining service reliability and long-term transportation goals. The report examines the workforce and socioeconomic factors driving this shortage and why it has proven so difficult to resolve. Reeb and Reuter surveyed rural, small urban, and large urban transit operators across the state, with a focus on bus-only agencies. Survey and focus group respondents also provided an overview of successful recruitment and retention strategies, and suggested ideas for statewide efforts that could alleviate the issue.

Drawing on a literature review, a statewide survey of transit agencies, and a focus group with industry professionals, the study finds that recruitment and retention problems are widespread across both urban and rural agencies, with bus operations hit hardest. Half of the surveyed agencies reported significant or severe difficulty maintaining adequate staffing levels, and some respondents expressed pessimism about a viable long-term solution. Recent research from several institutions finds that operators consistently report feeling undervalued relative to the difficulty and public importance of their work.

While all transit agencies face a similar set of issues, the intensity of one issue or another varies from agency to agency. Adequately discussing workforce recruitment and retention struggles requires a close look at each individual agency. However, some issues replicated widely across the research process. Housing affordability received a modal average of 10, greater than any other listed factor, and showed up as a surprisingly urgent issue at agencies across the state. Additionally, nearly all agencies reported that incidents of harassment and assault were more prevalent today than in the past. Agencies also agreed that short-term retention – within the first through third years of employment – is crucial to long-term retention. Finally, the relationship between state agencies and transit agencies is strained all across California, which limits the ability for a robust, statewide intervention.

The study concludes that solving the operator shortage is essential to the success of California’s broader transportation and climate policies, including recent “Complete Streets” legislation that prioritizes transit, walking, and biking. Without a stable, well-supported frontline workforce, service expansions and policy ambitions will fall short. The report recommends closer collaboration between state agencies and local transit providers, targeted investments in safety and working conditions, reforms to funding and hiring practices, and renewed focus on operator-centered workforce development.

Reeb and Reuter encourage interested parties to consult the full report, which can be read here [https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-media/programs/research-innovation-system-information/documents/final-reports/ca25-4093-a11y.pdf]