On Board With… Maintenance Committee Chair Mike Wygant (San Diego MTS)
Michael Wygant is San Diego Metropolitan Transit System's (MTS) Chief Operating Officer for bus, and has more than 30 years of experience in the bus and rail industry. Mr. Wygant, a lifetime resident of San Diego, has been with MTS since 2017, and is responsible for the oversight of the entire MTS bus operation which includes directly operated and contracted fixed-route operations, access paratransit services, passenger facilities, support services, and the transition to zero emission bus.He is committed to providing the safest transportation system possible for all employees, passengers, and communities in which MTS serves. Prior to his position at MTS, he worked for North County Transit District (NCTD) for more than 26 years. He finished his career at NCTD as the Chief Operations Officer, overseeing bus, rail, paratransit operations and maintenance. Mr. Wygant is a U.S. Air Force veteran and has maintained, managed, and developed a wide range of vehicles and equipment, including: heavy duty bus, medium duty bus, para transit, heavy rail, light rail, hybrid rail, aircraft, CNG fueling stations, vehicle maintenance facilities, light duty cars and trucks. In 2022, Mr. Wygant was appointed Chair of the California Transit Association’s Maintenance Committee.
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Transit California:
In 2022, the Association’s Executive Committee Chair Karen King appointed you to the role of Maintenance Committee Chair for the 2022-23 term. What are your priorities for the term?
Mike Wygant:
I am focused on continuing to expand on the great work that the prior chairs and committees have done in the past. Strengthening the networking between transit agencies to develop opportunities for shared ideas and knowledge is something I value and will continue to support as Committee Chair. Navigating the transition to zero-emission buses (ZEBs) and the impact on our maintenance and operations is also a big challenge that is a priority that will need our continued focus.
Transit California:
You have served as Chief Operating Officer at San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) since 2019 and previously as Director of Fleet and Facilities since 2017. What current initiative(s) at the agency are you excited about?
Mike Wygant:
MTS is in the early planning stages for a new division to be named Clean Transit Advancement Campus (CTAC), a new bus maintenance and charging facility for an all zero-emission fleet. This new division is essential for the zero-emission transition and will also provide much needed job opportunities in the San Diego community.
Historically, funding levels are at the highest they have ever been, and MTS is utilizing this opportunity to look at how service can be improved and expanded in the San Diego region.
Expanding diversity within the agency is also a strong focus. The agency is specifically focused on expanding diversity for women and is working on ways to attract women to positions that you wouldn’t typically see them in, such as maintenance.
Transit California:
What challenge(s) is the agency currently working to address?
Mike Wygant:
Our primary goal is to get people back on the system. Ridership continues to climb since the pandemic hit, and we have experienced larger growth year over year than originally anticipated. I am hopeful that we will reach pre-pandemic levels regularly by the end of 2023.
Similar to other agencies, MTS has experienced extreme challenges with keeping staffing at appropriate levels. The agency has been developing ways to appeal to prospective candidates, as well as retain its current workforce.
Security and safety have increasingly become more of a challenge on the system. In order for ridership to continue to rise, passengers must feel safe while riding.
The transition to zero-emission and the challenges that come with that are also being addressed by the agency.
Transit California:
You worked for North County Transit District (NCTD) for more than 26 years as both manager of fleet maintenance and Chief Operating Officer. What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of during your time at NCTD?
Mike Wygant:
During my time working at NCTD, we built a commuter rail and light rail service. We expanded bus service throughout the region, built a new maintenance facility, and completed several renovations to existing operating maintenance facilities. We built compressed natural gas (CNG) stations and transitioned most of the bus fleet from diesel to CNG. These accomplishments would be very noteworthy for any agency, but are remarkable for a small agency like NCTD with a very limited budget and resources. These accomplishments were completed with a very small and dedicated team over the years. As the North County is still my home, I rely on their service several times a week and could not be prouder that I was part of their team and the accomplishments we achieved together.
Transit California:
At both NCTD and MTS your role has grown from managing fleets and facilities to managing overall operations. Why is this a natural progression for you?
Mike Wygant:
As you build your team and a succession plan around you, it’s only natural to think about what else you can do to help the organization. Because of NCTD’s size and limited resources, I had the opportunity to expand from vehicle maintenance into other areas including operations, facilities, and rail. After 30-plus years you find yourself in a position to give back and pass on that knowledge and leadership over a wider spectrum in the organization.
Transit California:
How did you first get involved in vehicle maintenance?
Mike Wygant:
I was involved in vehicle maintenance at an early age. My family was very big into off-roading and motorcycles. Learning how to maintain and repair vehicles was a prerequisite and helped me to develop my mechanical aptitude. After high school I went into the U.S. Air Force to serve and receive formal training in aviation maintenance, eventually obtaining a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification. Aviation positions were hard to come by when I completed my service in the late 80s. That’s when I found a position in transit and started my journey.
Transit California:
How did your experience with the Air Force prepare you for a career in the transit industry?
Mike Wygant:
The Air force, specifically aviation maintenance, is very policy/procedure driven and structured very similarly to working in a public agency. In aviation there are also a lot of similarities to transit in terms of the regulation and oversight.
In addition to the technical training and experience, I was selected for Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) School. This was my first taste of understanding the skills it took to become a good leader.
Transit California:
What do you think the industry needs to do to develop its maintenance workforce?
Mike Wygant:
When agencies pivoted away from diesel to natural gas, the advancements of other subsystems on vehicles over the years required a shift of the workforce to be slightly more technical: a little less “greasy hands parts changer” and a little more diagnostic in nature. This will be in hyper-acceleration with the deployment of ZEBs. No more combustion wear and lubricants. Even non-drive systems will transition to electric where possible to improve efficiency and range. Our workforce will need to get ahead of that shift and embrace the transition. It’s imperative to keep an open mind in developing new ways to find and train the right employees to fit this new skillset; not everyone will naturally adapt to it.
Transit California:
You have extensive experience with alternative fuel vehicles and facilities. What is your outlook on California’s efforts to transit to zero-emission fleets by 2040?
Mike Wygant:
It’s a lofty goal, with a lot of challenges and potential impacts, but it’s a necessary goal. Pushing agencies and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) through regulation typically leads to accelerated advancements and innovation. That said, it’s very complex. The technology and agencies need to be given the opportunity to move forward at a pace that limits the impact to our overall goal of moving people in a safe and effective manner. In a perfect world, we would make the transition as a one-for-one replacement at cost neutral. Right now, that is not the case, so the challenge is to find funding and efficiencies so the transition does not erode the quality and level of service we provide.
Transit California:
You have been an active member of the California Transit Association – prior to taking on the role of Maintenance Committee Chair, you served on the Maintenance Committee and currently serve on the Operations Committee and Zero-Emission Vehicle Task Force. Why do you believe involvement in the Association is important, and do you have any advice for the emerging class of transit professionals on how they can make the most of their membership in the Association?
Mike Wygant:
The biggest advantage is the advocacy that the California Transit Association provides. The Association helps us work together to have a stronger, unified, and more powerful voice at the state or federal level. We are much stronger, more educated, and more united as a coalition compared to a single individual or agency.
Additionally, the networking options that we have through this process are irreplaceable. Typically, if you are experiencing an issue, or looking to develop something new within your own agency, chances are another agency has already been through it. Through networking we can all be a resource for each other.
My advice for the emerging class of transit professionals on how to make the most of their membership is, don’t sit quietly in the back row. Get your name out there and get familiar with the key players in the industry and the Association. Understanding who those resources are and who is available to you is the key to getting the maximum benefit.