Ep 6: Nathan Vass - Operating a Bus During a Pandemic

Nathan Vass is a bus operator at King County Metro in Seattle. For several years, Nathan has written about his interactions with riders on his route. His stories, compiled in a book called The Lines That Make Us, offer a compassionate glimpse into the lives of riders.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, bus operators have encountered a new set of challenges. Many are working without adequate personal protective equipment, transporting passengers at significant risk to their own health. They have also struggled to get clear information on sick leave and the health of fellow transit workers. In this episode, we talk to Nathan about how he’s coping with these challenges, and about the steps that King County Metro has taken to address the concerns of bus operators.

“I love driving the bus because it's an opportunity for me to offer help in a very elemental way. I'm providing this elemental need of transport. I feel like I'm offering something tactile that I can see the effect of. I'm taking somebody down the street and that's what they need.”

Disclaimer: Political views raised by guests on the podcast do not reflect the views of TransitCenter.

Sign our petition to demand that the White House supply better personal protective equipment for transit workers.

To read Nathan’s blog, click here.

Music: “Comma” - Blue Dot Sessions

Hosted and edited by Kapish Singla

Produced by TransitCenter