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RCTA driver shortages, pay prompt public comment; Transdev says wage changes may require Caltrans approval
Summary
A longtime RCTA driver called on the board to act on low pay and retention while Transdev managers said driver shortages forced temporary service reductions and that wage interventions will require Caltrans coordination.
A Redwood Coast Transit Authority employee and Transdev management warned the board that low pay and understaffing are reducing driver retention and risking service reliability.
Erica Quick, a 14-year RCTA employee who identified herself as a member of a local service organization, told the board that the system currently has about seven drivers for seven routes and said pay is lower than comparable local work. “They get paid less than the fast food workers,” Quick said. “They get paid less than the school district, and they put up with more abuse because the clientele is very itinerant.” She urged the board to address pay and retention before upcoming contract years end.
Transdev’s interim management reported the operator had to temporarily reduce service during the Christmas period because of driver shortfalls and that Transdev borrowed drivers from outside locations to maintain operations. “We went ahead and reduced it to a Saturday level of service the 2 days before Christmas and the 2 days after,” the Transdev general manager said, adding that service returned to full level when staff returned from leave.
Transdev staff and board members discussed retention measures the operator is pursuing, including referral bonuses for current employees and sign‑on bonuses paid over time to encourage retention. The interim manager also reported a new mechanic hire was scheduled to start soon.
On wages, Transdev and RCTA staff said federal and state rules affect how the agency may structure contracts and wage changes. RCTA staff explained that because the system is a rural transit provider (population under 50,000), the Federal Transit Administration delegates certain controls through the state department of transportation; as a result, Caltrans has contractual oversight for federally aided procurements and RCTA must coordinate any intervention. Staff said they have a forthcoming meeting with Caltrans and the authority’s attorneys to explore permissible options and hoped to present proposals at an RCTA board workshop in March.
Board members acknowledged awareness of the problem and asked for clearer timelines and more frequent agenda distribution for staff updates. The board asked staff to pursue Caltrans discussions and return with options at the March workshop.
